|
Description: Small matt-forming succulent, freely dividing and
variably caespitose, with single or double bodies, or forming dense mats
or cushions
Stems: Appear stemless when young but they may be short stemmed
with age.
Bodies (Leaves): Approx 20 mm large and 30 mm tall, turbiniform, apex
disc-shaped
truncate, often concave, pale bluish green with dark green spots
coalescing toward the fissure. The sheaths are papery and firm,
sometimes friable and spotted.
Flowers: Usually pink-magenta The form “speciosum” has very flowers.
Blooming season: August-
October, flowers are long lasting.
Fruit: The capsules are 5-6 locular, small, flat and slightly aromatic.
Cotyledons: Obconical and truncate, this species has a short
juvenile phase.
Cultivation: C.
speciosum is easy to grow. These plants grow on winter rain and
head for summer dormancy. More or less dormant in summer. The plant
requires little water; otherwise its epidermis breaks (resulting in
unsightly scars). Water throughout the year although minimally in
summer, (only when the plant starts shrivelling), but it will generally
grow even in summer if given water. Water regularly in winter after the
previous year's leaves have dried up. Requires good drainage. Keep
cool and shaded from hot sun in mid-summer; it needs full sun or light
shade in the other seasons. Hardy to -2°C. Ensure a very good
ventilation. Avoid to repot frequently. This plant may stay in the same
pot for many years. Plants grown in larger containers have frequently
relatively poor flowers. It might improve when the plants are given
their own, small individual pots.
Propagation: It can be
reproduced both by cuttings and seeds. Take the cutting from a grown-up
mother plant. Each
cutting must contain one or more heads, along with
a fraction of root.
|
Cultivation
and Mail Sale 
