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Decription: Succulent clump-forming perennial, rosettes, usually
stemless (but can builds short woody stems with age). It clumps more
than the plants in the 'felina' group and has often a reddish tinge.
Leaves: Thick, green triangular with up to 10 (ten) pointed
curved soft translucent slightly recurved "teeth" along the edges,
making them look like open jaws: The upper surface is slightly rough
with a profusion of tiny white dots upon close inspection and with a
rounded interface.
Flowers: Numerous, silky yellow, up to 5 cm wide, attractive
daisy like, appearing from the centre of the rosette.
Blooming season: Autumn to early winter. They need full sun to
open, open around noon and close at night.
Cultivation: F. tigrina is
an
opportunistic grower that tend to grow in fair weather and
rest when temperatures are too hot or too cool, so water thoroughly
whenever the soil mixture is dry to the touch but pay attention it will
not tolerate water-logged soils. During the winter they can be watered
less often, about every 2-3 weeks. Water more frequently in extreme
temperatures. Furthermore too much water makes it become too large.
Fertilizing this plant really isn't needed as it's already a voracious
grower. However, a liquid 10-10-10 diluted to half strength or a cactus
fertilizer once a month during spring and summer can benefit the plant.
Repotting: Make sure to repot during its more active period, starting in
spring. Prefers a soil with less organic material; extra pumice or
perlite provides excellent drainage essential to these type of plants.
Bright light is best, which will make the leaves stay their greenest and
encourage blooming. They can anyway tolerate lower light conditions. In
extreme hot temperatures, make sure there is some shade. Faucarias
become woody and untidy as they age.
Inside they grow fine on windowsills, and will even bloom, if they get
enough direct sunlight.
Not susceptible to many pests, but watch for mealy bugs. they make
excellent specimens for a small succulent garden.
Propagation: Seeds or cuttings. Seeds
can be sown in early to mid-spring and germinated in heated humid
environment. Alternatively, use stem cuttings taken towards the end of
summer in an heated propagating case (15-21°C) |