Xenoflor
Adromischus cooperi - new lf growth Calandstr, Leiden, NL 4 Mar 2011 03 Leo
English: Plover Eggs Plant
Afrikaans: Bontplakkie
Estonian: Cooperi Padilehik
Korean: 물떼새 알
Family: CRASSULACEAE
This is a slow-growing little succulent from the Karoo of South Africa. The leaves are spotted like plover eggs.
Some Cultivation Notes: Mine were grown from leaf cuttings and are about 3yrs old by now.
These plants want all the light you can give them indoors in northwestern Europe, but in the Mediterranean they would probably already be receiving far too much sun in such a spot. They don't mind spending the summer outside, but only in a shady spot (never full sun outside, they really don't like this) and when the temperature is hot -but a large problem with growing them outdoors is slugs; these can really damage a plant, stripping away half a year's growth. I grow all my Adromischus cooperi plants indoors or in the sheds year-round for safety from slugs and sun and low temperatures.
They don't mind regular amounts of water, especially when they are growing, but they do not want any water when the temperature is cold; this will cause root rot. The soil should be allowed to dry out somewhat before watering again, a constantly wet soil can cause the leaves to plop off (especially at cold temperatures), promotes rot, and will cause weak, water-flushed growth.
They seem to like small pots, but repotting is necessary once a year for best growth -although this can be extended to once a year. They favour a coarse soil, fast-draining but not necessarily light. A mix of 1/5 small gravel, 2/5 river sand and 2/5 potting soil is what I use. These plants seem to grow better for me in plastic pots, these seem to retain moisture longer, thus are at least better for my winter watering regime.
The flowering time is dependant on the length of the night, so it will not flower if grown in a room where this is interrupted.
Danger: They hate rain and cold; too much water will cause the leaves to plop off, leaves also seem to fall off easier during cold temperatures.
Distribution: Native to high elevations in the eastern Eastern Cape Province (in South Africa), with some records in the Karoo where EC, WC and NC meet. Grows in mountainous, often calciferous, areas. See some beautiful plants in the wild and a map of the distribution here.
Origin: I inherited a big plant about 10 years ago from a lady in Hillegom. Unfortunately it got root rot about 7 years ago. I now have 2 large plants again, I think I will start a new batch of leaf cuttings later in March when the night frosts are comfortably over.
Adromischus cooperi - new lf growth Calandstr, Leiden, NL 4 Mar 2011 03 Leo
English: Plover Eggs Plant
Afrikaans: Bontplakkie
Estonian: Cooperi Padilehik
Korean: 물떼새 알
Family: CRASSULACEAE
This is a slow-growing little succulent from the Karoo of South Africa. The leaves are spotted like plover eggs.
Some Cultivation Notes: Mine were grown from leaf cuttings and are about 3yrs old by now.
These plants want all the light you can give them indoors in northwestern Europe, but in the Mediterranean they would probably already be receiving far too much sun in such a spot. They don't mind spending the summer outside, but only in a shady spot (never full sun outside, they really don't like this) and when the temperature is hot -but a large problem with growing them outdoors is slugs; these can really damage a plant, stripping away half a year's growth. I grow all my Adromischus cooperi plants indoors or in the sheds year-round for safety from slugs and sun and low temperatures.
They don't mind regular amounts of water, especially when they are growing, but they do not want any water when the temperature is cold; this will cause root rot. The soil should be allowed to dry out somewhat before watering again, a constantly wet soil can cause the leaves to plop off (especially at cold temperatures), promotes rot, and will cause weak, water-flushed growth.
They seem to like small pots, but repotting is necessary once a year for best growth -although this can be extended to once a year. They favour a coarse soil, fast-draining but not necessarily light. A mix of 1/5 small gravel, 2/5 river sand and 2/5 potting soil is what I use. These plants seem to grow better for me in plastic pots, these seem to retain moisture longer, thus are at least better for my winter watering regime.
The flowering time is dependant on the length of the night, so it will not flower if grown in a room where this is interrupted.
Danger: They hate rain and cold; too much water will cause the leaves to plop off, leaves also seem to fall off easier during cold temperatures.
Distribution: Native to high elevations in the eastern Eastern Cape Province (in South Africa), with some records in the Karoo where EC, WC and NC meet. Grows in mountainous, often calciferous, areas. See some beautiful plants in the wild and a map of the distribution here.
Origin: I inherited a big plant about 10 years ago from a lady in Hillegom. Unfortunately it got root rot about 7 years ago. I now have 2 large plants again, I think I will start a new batch of leaf cuttings later in March when the night frosts are comfortably over.