Cephalophyllum alstoniiis a creepingsucculentwith spectacular flower . It is excellent as a ground covering and a potted plant life on a patio .
Cephalophyllum alstoniiMarloth ex L.Bolus
Red Spike Ice Plant
In cultivation, Vredendal, Western Cape, South Africa. Photo by Paul Schultz. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Cephalophyllum franciscii , Mesembryanthemum alstonii
Family : AizoaceaeSubfamily : RuschioideaeTribe : RuschieaeGenus : Cephalophyllum
The specific epithet " alstonii " ( enounce al - STON - electrical engineering - optic ) honorsEdward Garwood Alston(1862 - 1934 ) , a farm manager and plant collector in the Northern Cape province of South Africa who post plants toPeter MacOwanandSelmar Schönland .
In cultivation, Tessenderlo, Belgium. Photo by Marco Bries. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Cephalophyllum alstoniiis native toSouth Africa . It grows on ironical sandstone slopes in the Western Cape responsibility .
Cephalophyllum alstoniiis a beautiful succulent with creeping stems that bear vertical , gray leave of absence , forming denseclumps . The stems can rise up to 20 inches ( 50 atomic number 96 ) long and form roots where their leaf node touch the grime . The sarcoid leaves are triangular in cross - plane section , rounded at the infrastructure , and can valuate up to 4.8 inch ( 12 centimetre ) long .
During the winter , Cephalophyllum alstoniiproduces attractive , vivid red - magenta efflorescence with crimson - brownstamens . The blossom open only in hopeful sunlight and stay shut at night or on cloudy days . They can reach up to 0.4 in ( 1 centimetre ) in diameter . Oncepollinated , the flowers turn into 18- to 20 - locular ejector seat with persistent stalk and tiny browned semen .
In habitat, Breede River DC, Western Cape, South Africa. Derivative of a photo byJean Audissou. Used underCC BY-NC 4.0. This work is licensed under the same license as the original photo by World of Succulents.
Light : This succulent call for brilliant visible light but not too much unmediated sunlight . So , a windowsill that receives 4 to 5 minute of lineal sunshine in the break of the day and partial subtlety in the afternoon will be a perfect dapple for indoor development .
Soil : Cephalophyllum alstoniithrives in porous soil , grant the water to drain away chop-chop . Therefore , utilise commercial soil for succulents ormake your own well - draining admixture .
Temperature : High temperatures are not a problem as long as there is great deal of sweet air travel , but this industrial plant is not cold - intrepid . It grows best inUSDA Plant Hardiness Zones9b to 11b , with mean minimum winter temperatures range from 25 to 50 ° F ( -3.9 to 10 ° C ) .
In cultivation, Vredendal, Western Cape, South Africa. Photo by Paul Schultz. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Watering : To keep your flora tidy , it is essential to know when , how much , and how often to water . During its dormant full stop , unremarkably in summertime , Cephalophyllum alstoniirequires lilliputian or no water . Once it grows again in the fall , water thoroughly but reserve the soil to dry between watering .
Fertilizing : As long as you repot this plant every two years , it does not need fertilizer .
Repotting : Even if your plant can bide well-chosen in the same pot for twelvemonth , you may repot it occasionally to give it more space during the growing time of year . However , the good time is at the beginning of the time of year .
generation : AlthoughCephalophyllum alstoniiis commonly start up from seeds , it can also be easily disseminate by division . Late summertime , just before it begins to unwrap dormancy , is the respectable metre to divide the plant life , while fall is idealistic for inseminate the seed .
Learn more atHow to acquire and manage for Mesembs .
Cephalophyllum alstoniiis considered non - toxic , so having it around kid and pets is secure .
get across on a photo to see a larger edition .
Did you find this helpful ? portion out it with other succulent lovers !
