Sunday, November 17, 2013

Winter Flowers A-Coming

Aloinopsis  malherbei

 
My Aloinopsis malherbei, is now comfortably in one of my over-wintering, outdoor cold frames where it enjoys plenty of sun and cool, crisp night temperatures.  As you can see, it has shown its satisfaction by budding up.  While I primarily grow A. malherbei for its wonderful leaf form, which includes the leaf shape and the small white tubercles that adorn the back and tip margins, the flowers are always welcome.   If I remember correctly, this plant was grown from seed planted in the winter of 2002, making it almost 14 years old.  It's never given me any problems and is now an old friend. 

**Obviously my math isn't very good -  above line should read, "making it almost 12 years old".     
 

 


11 comments:

  1. Very nice plant. I find some buds will not open this time of year even on sunny days.

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  2. Thanks Alain. I didn't expect flowers this early. Usually this plant doesn't flower until February. I don't know if the buds will open or not, but I'll be an optimist for now. one change I did make on this plant is repotting it this year. Often that results in a new flush of roots and a vigorous root system can often great improve growth and flowering.

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  3. I am hopeful that the buds on a Lithops optica rubra will open. I am going to take one to the office where it will be warmer than the greenhouse.

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  4. Beautiful plant! It's a gem with or without flowers. 14 years from seed!

    Allowing the cooler t° is really good for them. Since I'm at work until late I only use my heater on weekends and i think this might be the reason my Aloinopsis could keep its flower buds so far. One of them half open now *waiting patiently*

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    1. Thank you Rika. I've enjoyed watching your Aloinopsis flower on your blog. Your patience paid off. Sometimes plants do things at their own speed and we just have to sit back and watch.

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  5. What an amazing plant! It seems to like living with you, such an "old" lady ;) Take good care of it.

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    1. Thank you Sanny. A lot of my plants are old friends because I have had them so long. I promise to treat her well. :)

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  6. Beautiful plant!
    I got one too. I am looking for help on how to care for it. Looked on line and did not find much.
    My plant is small. I know nothing about it so it is hard to tell whether it likes its place or not. Lost some lower leaves to what looked like rotting: some leaves got brown from the base some from the top. then they dried up. Mine is not as green as yours. The edges of the leaves looks as if it got too much sun, kind of brownish a bit. We live in San Diego, CA. It gets cool for the night. Gets morning direct light till about noon. Water once a week to run through. It had one little flower that opened. So sweet. Unsure whether it is doing well or not, based on its look. The flower suggest it is OK, the leaves not ok. Any guidance you could give how to care for it? I would much appreciate it. Thank you.

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  7. Hi Tunde.

    Keys to growing most mesembs, including Aloinopsis malherbei, is as much sun as possible (although in your area perhaps a little midday shade in summer), a coarse, well-drained potting mix, and a drop in night temperature in fall as the flowering period commences. The drainage of the potting mix should be such that you can water often but the mix never stays wet or damp very long. Loss of leaves on a regular basis can indicate the potting mix is staying wet too long. Only water when the potting soil has dried out a bit. Check mix before watering and if moist or damp, wait a day or two and check again. With enough light and a good well, drained potting mix, it's an easy plant to grow. If you have more questions, just ask. Take care and have fun.

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  8. Hi Bob,

    Thank you for responding. Looks like my plant needs a change of potting mix. Since this is my first time caring for plants, how do I ask for this potting mix? Is there a name/type? Thank you!
    I am just discovering the joy and fun of caring for plants :) Who would have thought that it is fun... :)

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  9. Hi,
    It is difficult to find a good succulent potting mix that is available commercially. Here in Maryland I've never seen one. All of the products packaged as "Cactus and Succulent Potting Mixes" are basically peatmoss with a small amount of sand and/or perlite. Basically worthless for succulent plants. My recommendation is to mix your own potting soil. A simple mix can be put together using an organic component called Coir and the inert material called Perlite. Coir is shredded coconut husk and is now commonly available as a potting soil component. Ask at your local garden center for it, or order it through the internet. It looks like peatmoss but works better in holding moisture but not getting soggy. Perlite is a white, light weight, volcanic material and is sold at all garden centers and plant stores. Mix one part (by volume) of the coir with two parts of the perlite. This mix will work well for most succulents. I don't like the perlite because it floats to the surface of the pot. Instead of perlite I use pumice, another volcanic material. Pumice for potting mixes is usually available on the West Coast so ask at some of the garden centers that also sell cacti and succulents. Use the pumice as a substitute for the perlite in the same mix ratio with the coir. If you like to water your plants, use three parts pumice to one part coir. The extra pumice (or perlite) will aid in draining excess water out of the mix. Potting mixes for succulents are like recipes in cooking, everyone has their favorite. But if you start simple you can late modify it for the different plants you have and your watering practices. Hope this helps. All questions and comments are welcome. Good Growing.

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