#delosperma yellow ice plant

[tameblog]

Fenestraria rhopalophylla With their small, upright, club-shaped leaves, baby toes (Fenestraria rhopalophylla) are among the cutest succulents out there. They feature essentially stemless, green to grayish green, club-shaped leaves that grow vertically, reaching about two inches tall, with a spread of eight inches or more as they produce offsets. The tips of the leaves feature translucent windows, adding to their unusual appearance. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. This species is native to Namibia and South Africa, where it grows in dry coastal deserts where there is plenty of fog and strong winds, and sandy, gravely soils. To protect themselves from windy conditions and intense sunlight the leaves remain mostly buried in soil with only the translucent tips showing, which look like small pebbles. Also known as window plant, this species is a member of the fig marigold or Aizoaceae family, which includes relatives such as lithops, tiger jaws (Faucaria spp.), split rock (Pleiospilos nelii), concrete leaf plant (Titanopsis), and ice plant (Delosperma lehmannii). A worthy addition to any succulent collection, these cute little plants are pretty easy to grow when you provide the right conditions. Ready to learn more? Here’s what I’ll cover: Many of the members of this family are referred to as mesembs or “mimicry plants” as they typically resemble stones or gravel, allowing them to blend in with their natural surroundings. This is the only species in the Fenestraria genus. The transparent tops of the leaves are flat or rounded, and serve as windows, allowing light to enter and perform photosynthesis inside the leaf. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. These are also known as epidermal windows or fenestrations. Other succulent plants that have leaf windows like this include some haworthias, lithops, and some types of peperomias, like ruby glow (Peperomia graveolens). Quick Look Common name(s): Baby toes Plant type: Evergreen succulent Hardiness (USDA Zone): 9b-13b (outdoors) Native to: Namibia, South Africa Bloom time / season: Autumn to spring Exposure: Full sun with protection from heat Soil type: Cactus and succulent mix with extra grit Soil pH: 6.0-7.0, slightly acidic to neutral Time to maturity: 2-5 years Mature size: 8 inches wide x 2 inches high Best uses: Ground cover, houseplant, specimen plant, succulent fairy gardens, succulent planter Taxonomy Order: Caryophyllales Family: Aizoaceae Genus: Fenestraria Species: Rhopalophylla When baby toes are exposed to plenty of sunlight, they produce flowers, even indoors! The flowers usually appear from autumn to spring, and are one to two inches wide, appearing on short stems. These blooms are daisy-like, with white, yellow, or orangish yellow petals, and yellow centers. If the flowers are pollinated, a roundish seed capsule forms, and turns brown when seeds are mature. The seeds held within can be easily sown to propagate new specimens. If your succulent looks like a Fenestraria but has purple flowers, your plant is most likely a different species, Frithia pulchra. Known as fairy elephant’s feet or purple baby toes, F. pulchra looks very much like the subject of this article. But when viewed from the top down, fairy elephant’s feet has more or less heart shaped windows, while Fenestraria windows are a curved triangular shape, similar to a fingernail or toenail. Baby toes was previously classified as Mesembryanthemum rhopalophyllum and Fenestraria aurantiaca, and some nurseries may list the plants by these former names. Now let’s discuss how to keep these cute plants happy! How to Grow Baby toes succulents can be grown as houseplants and are a good choice for low succulent planters, with their shallow root systems and tendency to creep. They are also charming in succulent fairy gardens. Gardeners in USDA Hardiness Zones 9b to 13b can grow baby toes outdoors year round in containers or as a ground cover as long as you have excellent drainage and can provide protection from abundant rainfall. Light Baby toes will display the best growth and produce flowers if provided with at least four and preferably six or more hours of direct sunlight or the equivalent from a grow light per day. But if you’ve just brought yours home from the nursery, rather than situating it in blazing sun immediately, acclimate it gradually. In summer, reduce direct sun exposure to early morning and later in the day, providing light shade during the heat of the day. If you provide bright, indirect light, baby toes is less likely to flower than if it’s in direct sunlight. Soil Baby toes succulents need a growing medium that has a pH range of around 6.0 to 7.0, and is sandy or gravelly with plenty of mineral content, supplying excellent drainage. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. They need a grittier mix than the typical commercial cactus and succulent soil, so you may need to make your own! Aim for 20 to 25 percent organic matter and 75 to 80 percent mineral content. You can make your own mix by using three parts houseplant potting medium, made up of ingredients such as coconut coir, compost, biochar, horticultural charcoal, or pine fines. The other seven parts should be a mix of gritty mineral ingredients, such as sand, gravel, and pumice. One of my favorite potting mix products is Rosy Soil’s Houseplant Mix, available for purchase in four- or eight-quart bags from the Rosy Soil store via Walmart. Rosy Soil Houseplant Mix Even though these plants grow with just their windows showing in their native range, don’t try this at home, as your conditions are likely more comfortable than those found in the wild, and burying the leaves too deep could lead to rotting. In cultivation you’ll have more success covering just the root ball and leaving the foliage above ground. Water In general, you’ll need to allow the growing medium to dry out completely between waterings. When the leaves feel very firm and are wrinkle-free, they are still well-hydrated, so they don’t necessarily need any water. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. If the leaves are starting to look wrinkled, that means they are using up their stored water supplies, and are ready for a drink! In spring and autumn water soon after the growing medium dries out. In winter and summer, allow the medium to dry and then wait for the leaves to just start to wrinkle as well. If you overwater it can cause the leaves to split open, so take care to always check the soil first. Temperature and Humidity Baby toes prefer a temperature range of between 65 to 85°F, but they can tolerate lows of 25°F provided the roots are kept dry. A humidity level of about 40 to 50 percent is ideal. Fertilizing Fertilize once a month during the growing season, using a gentle fertilizer formulated for cacti and succulents. Dr. Earth Succulence I like Dr. Earth’s Succulence Cactus and Succulent Food, available in a 16-ounce pump bottle from Arbico Organics. You can learn more about fertilizing succulents here. Repotting As they are slow growing, you won’t need to repot your baby toes very often. If the plant has outgrown its current container or is planted in the wrong type of growing medium, go ahead and repot immediately. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. Ideally you’ll do this in spring and not while the plant is blooming. These succulents don’t have deep tap roots, so you can choose a shallow pot that’s wide enough to allow the plant to spread horizontally. Make sure the new pot is just one size larger than the current container, and that it has drainage holes. Place a shallow layer of the potting medium in the bottom of the new pot. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. Unpot the plant from its existing pot and remove as much of the existing potting soil from around the roots. Place the bare root plant into the new pot, backfilling with soil until it reaches about half an inch from the rim. You can use some clean, sterilized rocks to help support the plant if it’s not standing up too well by itself. Wait a week before watering. Where to Buy It can be quite difficult to find nurseries selling these memsebs, so you may need to visit a store that specializes in succulents, either in person or online. In addition to the species plant, there are two subspecies and one cultivar: Aurantiaca Formerly considered a separate species, F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca is now considered a subspecies. F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca. These plants have yellow or orange flowers that are nearly three inches wide. Rhopalophylla F. rhopalophylla subsp. rhopalophylla produces white flowers that are two inches wide. It’s worth noting that when you purchase a Fenestraria, the seller likely won’t list to if it is one of the subspecies. Fireworth A cultivar of F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca, ‘Fireworth’ is distinguished by the orange tips of its otherwise yellow flower petals. Propagation Would you like to try propagating your own baby toes succulents? You have a few options. Let’s start with growing from seed! From Seed For this propagation project you’ll need a seed starting tray or nursery pots, growing medium, and of course, seeds. If you don’t have access to a homegrown supply of Fenestraria seeds, you can purchase packets of 30 seeds from the Cz Grain Store via Amazon. Baby Toes Seeds You can sow a large batch of these tiny seeds in a seed starting tray, or use three-inch square nursery pots. You can sow around 15 seeds per three-inch pot. Fill the pots or trays with moist growing medium, leaving about a half an inch of a gap between the surface of the medium and the rim of the container. Sprinkle the tiny seeds on the surface of the growing medium and don’t cover them with soil. Place a humidity dome over the pots or trays. Alternatively, you can place the pots or trays inside transparent, sealable plastic bags, or clear plastic bins. Set them in a spot where they will be exposed to bright, indirect light and where they will stay warm – around 77°F during the day – using a heat mat if necessary. Keep the growing medium moist but not soggy, using the bottom watering method or a spray bottle with a gentle mist. It can take up to a month for the seeds to germinate, but you may see the first seedlings pop up within a week. Keep the seedlings in high humidity for the first one to two months, then start to acclimate them by gradually removing the humidity dome. After acclimating the seedlings to less humid conditions, gradually increase exposure to direct sunlight, but make sure to keep up with watering. Allow the seedlings to mature in the same container for a year before transplanting. Our guide to growing succulents from seed has more information. From Offsets The best time to propagate offsets is in the spring when the plants are actively growing. Examine the stems right above the soil level – offsets will look like separate plants. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. Gently remove an offset along with its roots by breaking or cutting it away from the mother plant, along with its roots. If using scissors, make sure they are clean and sterilized. Allow the offset to callus over for a few days by setting it in a dry location out of direct sunlight. Once the offset has had a few days to callus, prepare two- to three-inch pots or trays by filling them with growing medium to within about half an inch of the rim. Poke a hole in the medium, then insert the offset’s roots. If the offset is floppy, you can add some rocks around it to help keep it propped up. Keep the new plants at a temperature of approximately 68°F, to encourage root establishment, and wait a week before watering. Learn more about propagating succulents from offsets here. Managing Pests and Disease Baby toes succulents are not particularly prone to problems with pests or disease. Outdoors, slugs and snails may come to visit, and indoors, keep an eye out for scale insects, spider mites, and mealybugs. When you bring a new plant home from the store, be sure to inspect it for signs of pests. In addition, take it out of its pot and check the roots for root mealies. Root mealies feed on roots. They look like grains of rice and can be hard to distinguish from bits of perlite. The main disease you should be concerned with in these plants is rot – and this is primarily caused by overly moist growing medium. Our guide to dealing with rot in succulents can help you out. Don’t Put Her in the Corner Nobody puts baby in the corner, and you shouldn’t leave baby toes succulents there either – unless it’s a corner with bright, sunny windows! Whether your succulent goes in a well-lit corner or not, she actually won’t mind if you neglect her somewhat. Remember to allow her well-draining growing medium to dry out between waterings and provide at least four hours of direct sunlight, preferably more! Are you growing baby toes succulents? Let us know in the comments section below! Would you like to learn more about growing succulents? We have more reading for you right here: Photos by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Product photos via Arbico Organics, Cz Grain Store, and Walmart. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '176410929431717'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link

[ramestoryworld]

Fenestraria rhopalophylla With their small, upright, club-shaped leaves, baby toes (Fenestraria rhopalophylla) are among the cutest succulents out there. They feature essentially stemless, green to grayish green, club-shaped leaves that grow vertically, reaching about two inches tall, with a spread of eight inches or more as they produce offsets. The tips of the leaves feature translucent windows, adding to their unusual appearance. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. This species is native to Namibia and South Africa, where it grows in dry coastal deserts where there is plenty of fog and strong winds, and sandy, gravely soils. To protect themselves from windy conditions and intense sunlight the leaves remain mostly buried in soil with only the translucent tips showing, which look like small pebbles. Also known as window plant, this species is a member of the fig marigold or Aizoaceae family, which includes relatives such as lithops, tiger jaws (Faucaria spp.), split rock (Pleiospilos nelii), concrete leaf plant (Titanopsis), and ice plant (Delosperma lehmannii). A worthy addition to any succulent collection, these cute little plants are pretty easy to grow when you provide the right conditions. Ready to learn more? Here’s what I’ll cover: Many of the members of this family are referred to as mesembs or “mimicry plants” as they typically resemble stones or gravel, allowing them to blend in with their natural surroundings. This is the only species in the Fenestraria genus. The transparent tops of the leaves are flat or rounded, and serve as windows, allowing light to enter and perform photosynthesis inside the leaf. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. These are also known as epidermal windows or fenestrations. Other succulent plants that have leaf windows like this include some haworthias, lithops, and some types of peperomias, like ruby glow (Peperomia graveolens). Quick Look Common name(s): Baby toes Plant type: Evergreen succulent Hardiness (USDA Zone): 9b-13b (outdoors) Native to: Namibia, South Africa Bloom time / season: Autumn to spring Exposure: Full sun with protection from heat Soil type: Cactus and succulent mix with extra grit Soil pH: 6.0-7.0, slightly acidic to neutral Time to maturity: 2-5 years Mature size: 8 inches wide x 2 inches high Best uses: Ground cover, houseplant, specimen plant, succulent fairy gardens, succulent planter Taxonomy Order: Caryophyllales Family: Aizoaceae Genus: Fenestraria Species: Rhopalophylla When baby toes are exposed to plenty of sunlight, they produce flowers, even indoors! The flowers usually appear from autumn to spring, and are one to two inches wide, appearing on short stems. These blooms are daisy-like, with white, yellow, or orangish yellow petals, and yellow centers. If the flowers are pollinated, a roundish seed capsule forms, and turns brown when seeds are mature. The seeds held within can be easily sown to propagate new specimens. If your succulent looks like a Fenestraria but has purple flowers, your plant is most likely a different species, Frithia pulchra. Known as fairy elephant’s feet or purple baby toes, F. pulchra looks very much like the subject of this article. But when viewed from the top down, fairy elephant’s feet has more or less heart shaped windows, while Fenestraria windows are a curved triangular shape, similar to a fingernail or toenail. Baby toes was previously classified as Mesembryanthemum rhopalophyllum and Fenestraria aurantiaca, and some nurseries may list the plants by these former names. Now let’s discuss how to keep these cute plants happy! How to Grow Baby toes succulents can be grown as houseplants and are a good choice for low succulent planters, with their shallow root systems and tendency to creep. They are also charming in succulent fairy gardens. Gardeners in USDA Hardiness Zones 9b to 13b can grow baby toes outdoors year round in containers or as a ground cover as long as you have excellent drainage and can provide protection from abundant rainfall. Light Baby toes will display the best growth and produce flowers if provided with at least four and preferably six or more hours of direct sunlight or the equivalent from a grow light per day. But if you’ve just brought yours home from the nursery, rather than situating it in blazing sun immediately, acclimate it gradually. In summer, reduce direct sun exposure to early morning and later in the day, providing light shade during the heat of the day. If you provide bright, indirect light, baby toes is less likely to flower than if it’s in direct sunlight. Soil Baby toes succulents need a growing medium that has a pH range of around 6.0 to 7.0, and is sandy or gravelly with plenty of mineral content, supplying excellent drainage. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. They need a grittier mix than the typical commercial cactus and succulent soil, so you may need to make your own! Aim for 20 to 25 percent organic matter and 75 to 80 percent mineral content. You can make your own mix by using three parts houseplant potting medium, made up of ingredients such as coconut coir, compost, biochar, horticultural charcoal, or pine fines. The other seven parts should be a mix of gritty mineral ingredients, such as sand, gravel, and pumice. One of my favorite potting mix products is Rosy Soil’s Houseplant Mix, available for purchase in four- or eight-quart bags from the Rosy Soil store via Walmart. Rosy Soil Houseplant Mix Even though these plants grow with just their windows showing in their native range, don’t try this at home, as your conditions are likely more comfortable than those found in the wild, and burying the leaves too deep could lead to rotting. In cultivation you’ll have more success covering just the root ball and leaving the foliage above ground. Water In general, you’ll need to allow the growing medium to dry out completely between waterings. When the leaves feel very firm and are wrinkle-free, they are still well-hydrated, so they don’t necessarily need any water. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. If the leaves are starting to look wrinkled, that means they are using up their stored water supplies, and are ready for a drink! In spring and autumn water soon after the growing medium dries out. In winter and summer, allow the medium to dry and then wait for the leaves to just start to wrinkle as well. If you overwater it can cause the leaves to split open, so take care to always check the soil first. Temperature and Humidity Baby toes prefer a temperature range of between 65 to 85°F, but they can tolerate lows of 25°F provided the roots are kept dry. A humidity level of about 40 to 50 percent is ideal. Fertilizing Fertilize once a month during the growing season, using a gentle fertilizer formulated for cacti and succulents. Dr. Earth Succulence I like Dr. Earth’s Succulence Cactus and Succulent Food, available in a 16-ounce pump bottle from Arbico Organics. You can learn more about fertilizing succulents here. Repotting As they are slow growing, you won’t need to repot your baby toes very often. If the plant has outgrown its current container or is planted in the wrong type of growing medium, go ahead and repot immediately. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. Ideally you’ll do this in spring and not while the plant is blooming. These succulents don’t have deep tap roots, so you can choose a shallow pot that’s wide enough to allow the plant to spread horizontally. Make sure the new pot is just one size larger than the current container, and that it has drainage holes. Place a shallow layer of the potting medium in the bottom of the new pot. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. Unpot the plant from its existing pot and remove as much of the existing potting soil from around the roots. Place the bare root plant into the new pot, backfilling with soil until it reaches about half an inch from the rim. You can use some clean, sterilized rocks to help support the plant if it’s not standing up too well by itself. Wait a week before watering. Where to Buy It can be quite difficult to find nurseries selling these memsebs, so you may need to visit a store that specializes in succulents, either in person or online. In addition to the species plant, there are two subspecies and one cultivar: Aurantiaca Formerly considered a separate species, F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca is now considered a subspecies. F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca. These plants have yellow or orange flowers that are nearly three inches wide. Rhopalophylla F. rhopalophylla subsp. rhopalophylla produces white flowers that are two inches wide. It’s worth noting that when you purchase a Fenestraria, the seller likely won’t list to if it is one of the subspecies. Fireworth A cultivar of F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca, ‘Fireworth’ is distinguished by the orange tips of its otherwise yellow flower petals. Propagation Would you like to try propagating your own baby toes succulents? You have a few options. Let’s start with growing from seed! From Seed For this propagation project you’ll need a seed starting tray or nursery pots, growing medium, and of course, seeds. If you don’t have access to a homegrown supply of Fenestraria seeds, you can purchase packets of 30 seeds from the Cz Grain Store via Amazon. Baby Toes Seeds You can sow a large batch of these tiny seeds in a seed starting tray, or use three-inch square nursery pots. You can sow around 15 seeds per three-inch pot. Fill the pots or trays with moist growing medium, leaving about a half an inch of a gap between the surface of the medium and the rim of the container. Sprinkle the tiny seeds on the surface of the growing medium and don’t cover them with soil. Place a humidity dome over the pots or trays. Alternatively, you can place the pots or trays inside transparent, sealable plastic bags, or clear plastic bins. Set them in a spot where they will be exposed to bright, indirect light and where they will stay warm – around 77°F during the day – using a heat mat if necessary. Keep the growing medium moist but not soggy, using the bottom watering method or a spray bottle with a gentle mist. It can take up to a month for the seeds to germinate, but you may see the first seedlings pop up within a week. Keep the seedlings in high humidity for the first one to two months, then start to acclimate them by gradually removing the humidity dome. After acclimating the seedlings to less humid conditions, gradually increase exposure to direct sunlight, but make sure to keep up with watering. Allow the seedlings to mature in the same container for a year before transplanting. Our guide to growing succulents from seed has more information. From Offsets The best time to propagate offsets is in the spring when the plants are actively growing. Examine the stems right above the soil level – offsets will look like separate plants. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. Gently remove an offset along with its roots by breaking or cutting it away from the mother plant, along with its roots. If using scissors, make sure they are clean and sterilized. Allow the offset to callus over for a few days by setting it in a dry location out of direct sunlight. Once the offset has had a few days to callus, prepare two- to three-inch pots or trays by filling them with growing medium to within about half an inch of the rim. Poke a hole in the medium, then insert the offset’s roots. If the offset is floppy, you can add some rocks around it to help keep it propped up. Keep the new plants at a temperature of approximately 68°F, to encourage root establishment, and wait a week before watering. Learn more about propagating succulents from offsets here. Managing Pests and Disease Baby toes succulents are not particularly prone to problems with pests or disease. Outdoors, slugs and snails may come to visit, and indoors, keep an eye out for scale insects, spider mites, and mealybugs. When you bring a new plant home from the store, be sure to inspect it for signs of pests. In addition, take it out of its pot and check the roots for root mealies. Root mealies feed on roots. They look like grains of rice and can be hard to distinguish from bits of perlite. The main disease you should be concerned with in these plants is rot – and this is primarily caused by overly moist growing medium. Our guide to dealing with rot in succulents can help you out. Don’t Put Her in the Corner Nobody puts baby in the corner, and you shouldn’t leave baby toes succulents there either – unless it’s a corner with bright, sunny windows! Whether your succulent goes in a well-lit corner or not, she actually won’t mind if you neglect her somewhat. Remember to allow her well-draining growing medium to dry out between waterings and provide at least four hours of direct sunlight, preferably more! Are you growing baby toes succulents? Let us know in the comments section below! Would you like to learn more about growing succulents? We have more reading for you right here: Photos by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Product photos via Arbico Organics, Cz Grain Store, and Walmart. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '176410929431717'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link

[alexha2210]

Fenestraria rhopalophylla With their small, upright, club-shaped leaves, baby toes (Fenestraria rhopalophylla) are among the cutest succulents out there. They feature essentially stemless, green to grayish green, club-shaped leaves that grow vertically, reaching about two inches tall, with a spread of eight inches or more as they produce offsets. The tips of the leaves feature translucent windows, adding to their unusual appearance. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. This species is native to Namibia and South Africa, where it grows in dry coastal deserts where there is plenty of fog and strong winds, and sandy, gravely soils. To protect themselves from windy conditions and intense sunlight the leaves remain mostly buried in soil with only the translucent tips showing, which look like small pebbles. Also known as window plant, this species is a member of the fig marigold or Aizoaceae family, which includes relatives such as lithops, tiger jaws (Faucaria spp.), split rock (Pleiospilos nelii), concrete leaf plant (Titanopsis), and ice plant (Delosperma lehmannii). A worthy addition to any succulent collection, these cute little plants are pretty easy to grow when you provide the right conditions. Ready to learn more? Here’s what I’ll cover: Many of the members of this family are referred to as mesembs or “mimicry plants” as they typically resemble stones or gravel, allowing them to blend in with their natural surroundings. This is the only species in the Fenestraria genus. The transparent tops of the leaves are flat or rounded, and serve as windows, allowing light to enter and perform photosynthesis inside the leaf. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. These are also known as epidermal windows or fenestrations. Other succulent plants that have leaf windows like this include some haworthias, lithops, and some types of peperomias, like ruby glow (Peperomia graveolens). Quick Look Common name(s): Baby toes Plant type: Evergreen succulent Hardiness (USDA Zone): 9b-13b (outdoors) Native to: Namibia, South Africa Bloom time / season: Autumn to spring Exposure: Full sun with protection from heat Soil type: Cactus and succulent mix with extra grit Soil pH: 6.0-7.0, slightly acidic to neutral Time to maturity: 2-5 years Mature size: 8 inches wide x 2 inches high Best uses: Ground cover, houseplant, specimen plant, succulent fairy gardens, succulent planter Taxonomy Order: Caryophyllales Family: Aizoaceae Genus: Fenestraria Species: Rhopalophylla When baby toes are exposed to plenty of sunlight, they produce flowers, even indoors! The flowers usually appear from autumn to spring, and are one to two inches wide, appearing on short stems. These blooms are daisy-like, with white, yellow, or orangish yellow petals, and yellow centers. If the flowers are pollinated, a roundish seed capsule forms, and turns brown when seeds are mature. The seeds held within can be easily sown to propagate new specimens. If your succulent looks like a Fenestraria but has purple flowers, your plant is most likely a different species, Frithia pulchra. Known as fairy elephant’s feet or purple baby toes, F. pulchra looks very much like the subject of this article. But when viewed from the top down, fairy elephant’s feet has more or less heart shaped windows, while Fenestraria windows are a curved triangular shape, similar to a fingernail or toenail. Baby toes was previously classified as Mesembryanthemum rhopalophyllum and Fenestraria aurantiaca, and some nurseries may list the plants by these former names. Now let’s discuss how to keep these cute plants happy! How to Grow Baby toes succulents can be grown as houseplants and are a good choice for low succulent planters, with their shallow root systems and tendency to creep. They are also charming in succulent fairy gardens. Gardeners in USDA Hardiness Zones 9b to 13b can grow baby toes outdoors year round in containers or as a ground cover as long as you have excellent drainage and can provide protection from abundant rainfall. Light Baby toes will display the best growth and produce flowers if provided with at least four and preferably six or more hours of direct sunlight or the equivalent from a grow light per day. But if you’ve just brought yours home from the nursery, rather than situating it in blazing sun immediately, acclimate it gradually. In summer, reduce direct sun exposure to early morning and later in the day, providing light shade during the heat of the day. If you provide bright, indirect light, baby toes is less likely to flower than if it’s in direct sunlight. Soil Baby toes succulents need a growing medium that has a pH range of around 6.0 to 7.0, and is sandy or gravelly with plenty of mineral content, supplying excellent drainage. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. They need a grittier mix than the typical commercial cactus and succulent soil, so you may need to make your own! Aim for 20 to 25 percent organic matter and 75 to 80 percent mineral content. You can make your own mix by using three parts houseplant potting medium, made up of ingredients such as coconut coir, compost, biochar, horticultural charcoal, or pine fines. The other seven parts should be a mix of gritty mineral ingredients, such as sand, gravel, and pumice. One of my favorite potting mix products is Rosy Soil’s Houseplant Mix, available for purchase in four- or eight-quart bags from the Rosy Soil store via Walmart. Rosy Soil Houseplant Mix Even though these plants grow with just their windows showing in their native range, don’t try this at home, as your conditions are likely more comfortable than those found in the wild, and burying the leaves too deep could lead to rotting. In cultivation you’ll have more success covering just the root ball and leaving the foliage above ground. Water In general, you’ll need to allow the growing medium to dry out completely between waterings. When the leaves feel very firm and are wrinkle-free, they are still well-hydrated, so they don’t necessarily need any water. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. If the leaves are starting to look wrinkled, that means they are using up their stored water supplies, and are ready for a drink! In spring and autumn water soon after the growing medium dries out. In winter and summer, allow the medium to dry and then wait for the leaves to just start to wrinkle as well. If you overwater it can cause the leaves to split open, so take care to always check the soil first. Temperature and Humidity Baby toes prefer a temperature range of between 65 to 85°F, but they can tolerate lows of 25°F provided the roots are kept dry. A humidity level of about 40 to 50 percent is ideal. Fertilizing Fertilize once a month during the growing season, using a gentle fertilizer formulated for cacti and succulents. Dr. Earth Succulence I like Dr. Earth’s Succulence Cactus and Succulent Food, available in a 16-ounce pump bottle from Arbico Organics. You can learn more about fertilizing succulents here. Repotting As they are slow growing, you won’t need to repot your baby toes very often. If the plant has outgrown its current container or is planted in the wrong type of growing medium, go ahead and repot immediately. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. Ideally you’ll do this in spring and not while the plant is blooming. These succulents don’t have deep tap roots, so you can choose a shallow pot that’s wide enough to allow the plant to spread horizontally. Make sure the new pot is just one size larger than the current container, and that it has drainage holes. Place a shallow layer of the potting medium in the bottom of the new pot. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. Unpot the plant from its existing pot and remove as much of the existing potting soil from around the roots. Place the bare root plant into the new pot, backfilling with soil until it reaches about half an inch from the rim. You can use some clean, sterilized rocks to help support the plant if it’s not standing up too well by itself. Wait a week before watering. Where to Buy It can be quite difficult to find nurseries selling these memsebs, so you may need to visit a store that specializes in succulents, either in person or online. In addition to the species plant, there are two subspecies and one cultivar: Aurantiaca Formerly considered a separate species, F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca is now considered a subspecies. F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca. These plants have yellow or orange flowers that are nearly three inches wide. Rhopalophylla F. rhopalophylla subsp. rhopalophylla produces white flowers that are two inches wide. It’s worth noting that when you purchase a Fenestraria, the seller likely won’t list to if it is one of the subspecies. Fireworth A cultivar of F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca, ‘Fireworth’ is distinguished by the orange tips of its otherwise yellow flower petals. Propagation Would you like to try propagating your own baby toes succulents? You have a few options. Let’s start with growing from seed! From Seed For this propagation project you’ll need a seed starting tray or nursery pots, growing medium, and of course, seeds. If you don’t have access to a homegrown supply of Fenestraria seeds, you can purchase packets of 30 seeds from the Cz Grain Store via Amazon. Baby Toes Seeds You can sow a large batch of these tiny seeds in a seed starting tray, or use three-inch square nursery pots. You can sow around 15 seeds per three-inch pot. Fill the pots or trays with moist growing medium, leaving about a half an inch of a gap between the surface of the medium and the rim of the container. Sprinkle the tiny seeds on the surface of the growing medium and don’t cover them with soil. Place a humidity dome over the pots or trays. Alternatively, you can place the pots or trays inside transparent, sealable plastic bags, or clear plastic bins. Set them in a spot where they will be exposed to bright, indirect light and where they will stay warm – around 77°F during the day – using a heat mat if necessary. Keep the growing medium moist but not soggy, using the bottom watering method or a spray bottle with a gentle mist. It can take up to a month for the seeds to germinate, but you may see the first seedlings pop up within a week. Keep the seedlings in high humidity for the first one to two months, then start to acclimate them by gradually removing the humidity dome. After acclimating the seedlings to less humid conditions, gradually increase exposure to direct sunlight, but make sure to keep up with watering. Allow the seedlings to mature in the same container for a year before transplanting. Our guide to growing succulents from seed has more information. From Offsets The best time to propagate offsets is in the spring when the plants are actively growing. Examine the stems right above the soil level – offsets will look like separate plants. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. Gently remove an offset along with its roots by breaking or cutting it away from the mother plant, along with its roots. If using scissors, make sure they are clean and sterilized. Allow the offset to callus over for a few days by setting it in a dry location out of direct sunlight. Once the offset has had a few days to callus, prepare two- to three-inch pots or trays by filling them with growing medium to within about half an inch of the rim. Poke a hole in the medium, then insert the offset’s roots. If the offset is floppy, you can add some rocks around it to help keep it propped up. Keep the new plants at a temperature of approximately 68°F, to encourage root establishment, and wait a week before watering. Learn more about propagating succulents from offsets here. Managing Pests and Disease Baby toes succulents are not particularly prone to problems with pests or disease. Outdoors, slugs and snails may come to visit, and indoors, keep an eye out for scale insects, spider mites, and mealybugs. When you bring a new plant home from the store, be sure to inspect it for signs of pests. In addition, take it out of its pot and check the roots for root mealies. Root mealies feed on roots. They look like grains of rice and can be hard to distinguish from bits of perlite. The main disease you should be concerned with in these plants is rot – and this is primarily caused by overly moist growing medium. Our guide to dealing with rot in succulents can help you out. Don’t Put Her in the Corner Nobody puts baby in the corner, and you shouldn’t leave baby toes succulents there either – unless it’s a corner with bright, sunny windows! Whether your succulent goes in a well-lit corner or not, she actually won’t mind if you neglect her somewhat. Remember to allow her well-draining growing medium to dry out between waterings and provide at least four hours of direct sunlight, preferably more! Are you growing baby toes succulents? Let us know in the comments section below! Would you like to learn more about growing succulents? We have more reading for you right here: Photos by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Product photos via Arbico Organics, Cz Grain Store, and Walmart. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '176410929431717'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link

[angusstory]

Fenestraria rhopalophylla With their small, upright, club-shaped leaves, baby toes (Fenestraria rhopalophylla) are among the cutest succulents out there. They feature essentially stemless, green to grayish green, club-shaped leaves that grow vertically, reaching about two inches tall, with a spread of eight inches or more as they produce offsets. The tips of the leaves feature translucent windows, adding to their unusual appearance. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. This species is native to Namibia and South Africa, where it grows in dry coastal deserts where there is plenty of fog and strong winds, and sandy, gravely soils. To protect themselves from windy conditions and intense sunlight the leaves remain mostly buried in soil with only the translucent tips showing, which look like small pebbles. Also known as window plant, this species is a member of the fig marigold or Aizoaceae family, which includes relatives such as lithops, tiger jaws (Faucaria spp.), split rock (Pleiospilos nelii), concrete leaf plant (Titanopsis), and ice plant (Delosperma lehmannii). A worthy addition to any succulent collection, these cute little plants are pretty easy to grow when you provide the right conditions. Ready to learn more? Here’s what I’ll cover: Many of the members of this family are referred to as mesembs or “mimicry plants” as they typically resemble stones or gravel, allowing them to blend in with their natural surroundings. This is the only species in the Fenestraria genus. The transparent tops of the leaves are flat or rounded, and serve as windows, allowing light to enter and perform photosynthesis inside the leaf. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. These are also known as epidermal windows or fenestrations. Other succulent plants that have leaf windows like this include some haworthias, lithops, and some types of peperomias, like ruby glow (Peperomia graveolens). Quick Look Common name(s): Baby toes Plant type: Evergreen succulent Hardiness (USDA Zone): 9b-13b (outdoors) Native to: Namibia, South Africa Bloom time / season: Autumn to spring Exposure: Full sun with protection from heat Soil type: Cactus and succulent mix with extra grit Soil pH: 6.0-7.0, slightly acidic to neutral Time to maturity: 2-5 years Mature size: 8 inches wide x 2 inches high Best uses: Ground cover, houseplant, specimen plant, succulent fairy gardens, succulent planter Taxonomy Order: Caryophyllales Family: Aizoaceae Genus: Fenestraria Species: Rhopalophylla When baby toes are exposed to plenty of sunlight, they produce flowers, even indoors! The flowers usually appear from autumn to spring, and are one to two inches wide, appearing on short stems. These blooms are daisy-like, with white, yellow, or orangish yellow petals, and yellow centers. If the flowers are pollinated, a roundish seed capsule forms, and turns brown when seeds are mature. The seeds held within can be easily sown to propagate new specimens. If your succulent looks like a Fenestraria but has purple flowers, your plant is most likely a different species, Frithia pulchra. Known as fairy elephant’s feet or purple baby toes, F. pulchra looks very much like the subject of this article. But when viewed from the top down, fairy elephant’s feet has more or less heart shaped windows, while Fenestraria windows are a curved triangular shape, similar to a fingernail or toenail. Baby toes was previously classified as Mesembryanthemum rhopalophyllum and Fenestraria aurantiaca, and some nurseries may list the plants by these former names. Now let’s discuss how to keep these cute plants happy! How to Grow Baby toes succulents can be grown as houseplants and are a good choice for low succulent planters, with their shallow root systems and tendency to creep. They are also charming in succulent fairy gardens. Gardeners in USDA Hardiness Zones 9b to 13b can grow baby toes outdoors year round in containers or as a ground cover as long as you have excellent drainage and can provide protection from abundant rainfall. Light Baby toes will display the best growth and produce flowers if provided with at least four and preferably six or more hours of direct sunlight or the equivalent from a grow light per day. But if you’ve just brought yours home from the nursery, rather than situating it in blazing sun immediately, acclimate it gradually. In summer, reduce direct sun exposure to early morning and later in the day, providing light shade during the heat of the day. If you provide bright, indirect light, baby toes is less likely to flower than if it’s in direct sunlight. Soil Baby toes succulents need a growing medium that has a pH range of around 6.0 to 7.0, and is sandy or gravelly with plenty of mineral content, supplying excellent drainage. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. They need a grittier mix than the typical commercial cactus and succulent soil, so you may need to make your own! Aim for 20 to 25 percent organic matter and 75 to 80 percent mineral content. You can make your own mix by using three parts houseplant potting medium, made up of ingredients such as coconut coir, compost, biochar, horticultural charcoal, or pine fines. The other seven parts should be a mix of gritty mineral ingredients, such as sand, gravel, and pumice. One of my favorite potting mix products is Rosy Soil’s Houseplant Mix, available for purchase in four- or eight-quart bags from the Rosy Soil store via Walmart. Rosy Soil Houseplant Mix Even though these plants grow with just their windows showing in their native range, don’t try this at home, as your conditions are likely more comfortable than those found in the wild, and burying the leaves too deep could lead to rotting. In cultivation you’ll have more success covering just the root ball and leaving the foliage above ground. Water In general, you’ll need to allow the growing medium to dry out completely between waterings. When the leaves feel very firm and are wrinkle-free, they are still well-hydrated, so they don’t necessarily need any water. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. If the leaves are starting to look wrinkled, that means they are using up their stored water supplies, and are ready for a drink! In spring and autumn water soon after the growing medium dries out. In winter and summer, allow the medium to dry and then wait for the leaves to just start to wrinkle as well. If you overwater it can cause the leaves to split open, so take care to always check the soil first. Temperature and Humidity Baby toes prefer a temperature range of between 65 to 85°F, but they can tolerate lows of 25°F provided the roots are kept dry. A humidity level of about 40 to 50 percent is ideal. Fertilizing Fertilize once a month during the growing season, using a gentle fertilizer formulated for cacti and succulents. Dr. Earth Succulence I like Dr. Earth’s Succulence Cactus and Succulent Food, available in a 16-ounce pump bottle from Arbico Organics. You can learn more about fertilizing succulents here. Repotting As they are slow growing, you won’t need to repot your baby toes very often. If the plant has outgrown its current container or is planted in the wrong type of growing medium, go ahead and repot immediately. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. Ideally you’ll do this in spring and not while the plant is blooming. These succulents don’t have deep tap roots, so you can choose a shallow pot that’s wide enough to allow the plant to spread horizontally. Make sure the new pot is just one size larger than the current container, and that it has drainage holes. Place a shallow layer of the potting medium in the bottom of the new pot. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. Unpot the plant from its existing pot and remove as much of the existing potting soil from around the roots. Place the bare root plant into the new pot, backfilling with soil until it reaches about half an inch from the rim. You can use some clean, sterilized rocks to help support the plant if it’s not standing up too well by itself. Wait a week before watering. Where to Buy It can be quite difficult to find nurseries selling these memsebs, so you may need to visit a store that specializes in succulents, either in person or online. In addition to the species plant, there are two subspecies and one cultivar: Aurantiaca Formerly considered a separate species, F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca is now considered a subspecies. F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca. These plants have yellow or orange flowers that are nearly three inches wide. Rhopalophylla F. rhopalophylla subsp. rhopalophylla produces white flowers that are two inches wide. It’s worth noting that when you purchase a Fenestraria, the seller likely won’t list to if it is one of the subspecies. Fireworth A cultivar of F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca, ‘Fireworth’ is distinguished by the orange tips of its otherwise yellow flower petals. Propagation Would you like to try propagating your own baby toes succulents? You have a few options. Let’s start with growing from seed! From Seed For this propagation project you’ll need a seed starting tray or nursery pots, growing medium, and of course, seeds. If you don’t have access to a homegrown supply of Fenestraria seeds, you can purchase packets of 30 seeds from the Cz Grain Store via Amazon. Baby Toes Seeds You can sow a large batch of these tiny seeds in a seed starting tray, or use three-inch square nursery pots. You can sow around 15 seeds per three-inch pot. Fill the pots or trays with moist growing medium, leaving about a half an inch of a gap between the surface of the medium and the rim of the container. Sprinkle the tiny seeds on the surface of the growing medium and don’t cover them with soil. Place a humidity dome over the pots or trays. Alternatively, you can place the pots or trays inside transparent, sealable plastic bags, or clear plastic bins. Set them in a spot where they will be exposed to bright, indirect light and where they will stay warm – around 77°F during the day – using a heat mat if necessary. Keep the growing medium moist but not soggy, using the bottom watering method or a spray bottle with a gentle mist. It can take up to a month for the seeds to germinate, but you may see the first seedlings pop up within a week. Keep the seedlings in high humidity for the first one to two months, then start to acclimate them by gradually removing the humidity dome. After acclimating the seedlings to less humid conditions, gradually increase exposure to direct sunlight, but make sure to keep up with watering. Allow the seedlings to mature in the same container for a year before transplanting. Our guide to growing succulents from seed has more information. From Offsets The best time to propagate offsets is in the spring when the plants are actively growing. Examine the stems right above the soil level – offsets will look like separate plants. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. Gently remove an offset along with its roots by breaking or cutting it away from the mother plant, along with its roots. If using scissors, make sure they are clean and sterilized. Allow the offset to callus over for a few days by setting it in a dry location out of direct sunlight. Once the offset has had a few days to callus, prepare two- to three-inch pots or trays by filling them with growing medium to within about half an inch of the rim. Poke a hole in the medium, then insert the offset’s roots. If the offset is floppy, you can add some rocks around it to help keep it propped up. Keep the new plants at a temperature of approximately 68°F, to encourage root establishment, and wait a week before watering. Learn more about propagating succulents from offsets here. Managing Pests and Disease Baby toes succulents are not particularly prone to problems with pests or disease. Outdoors, slugs and snails may come to visit, and indoors, keep an eye out for scale insects, spider mites, and mealybugs. When you bring a new plant home from the store, be sure to inspect it for signs of pests. In addition, take it out of its pot and check the roots for root mealies. Root mealies feed on roots. They look like grains of rice and can be hard to distinguish from bits of perlite. The main disease you should be concerned with in these plants is rot – and this is primarily caused by overly moist growing medium. Our guide to dealing with rot in succulents can help you out. Don’t Put Her in the Corner Nobody puts baby in the corner, and you shouldn’t leave baby toes succulents there either – unless it’s a corner with bright, sunny windows! Whether your succulent goes in a well-lit corner or not, she actually won’t mind if you neglect her somewhat. Remember to allow her well-draining growing medium to dry out between waterings and provide at least four hours of direct sunlight, preferably more! Are you growing baby toes succulents? Let us know in the comments section below! Would you like to learn more about growing succulents? We have more reading for you right here: Photos by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Product photos via Arbico Organics, Cz Grain Store, and Walmart. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '176410929431717'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link

[tumibaba]

Fenestraria rhopalophylla With their small, upright, club-shaped leaves, baby toes (Fenestraria rhopalophylla) are among the cutest succulents out there. They feature essentially stemless, green to grayish green, club-shaped leaves that grow vertically, reaching about two inches tall, with a spread of eight inches or more as they produce offsets. The tips of the leaves feature translucent windows, adding to their unusual appearance. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. This species is native to Namibia and South Africa, where it grows in dry coastal deserts where there is plenty of fog and strong winds, and sandy, gravely soils. To protect themselves from windy conditions and intense sunlight the leaves remain mostly buried in soil with only the translucent tips showing, which look like small pebbles. Also known as window plant, this species is a member of the fig marigold or Aizoaceae family, which includes relatives such as lithops, tiger jaws (Faucaria spp.), split rock (Pleiospilos nelii), concrete leaf plant (Titanopsis), and ice plant (Delosperma lehmannii). A worthy addition to any succulent collection, these cute little plants are pretty easy to grow when you provide the right conditions. Ready to learn more? Here’s what I’ll cover: Many of the members of this family are referred to as mesembs or “mimicry plants” as they typically resemble stones or gravel, allowing them to blend in with their natural surroundings. This is the only species in the Fenestraria genus. The transparent tops of the leaves are flat or rounded, and serve as windows, allowing light to enter and perform photosynthesis inside the leaf. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. These are also known as epidermal windows or fenestrations. Other succulent plants that have leaf windows like this include some haworthias, lithops, and some types of peperomias, like ruby glow (Peperomia graveolens). Quick Look Common name(s): Baby toes Plant type: Evergreen succulent Hardiness (USDA Zone): 9b-13b (outdoors) Native to: Namibia, South Africa Bloom time / season: Autumn to spring Exposure: Full sun with protection from heat Soil type: Cactus and succulent mix with extra grit Soil pH: 6.0-7.0, slightly acidic to neutral Time to maturity: 2-5 years Mature size: 8 inches wide x 2 inches high Best uses: Ground cover, houseplant, specimen plant, succulent fairy gardens, succulent planter Taxonomy Order: Caryophyllales Family: Aizoaceae Genus: Fenestraria Species: Rhopalophylla When baby toes are exposed to plenty of sunlight, they produce flowers, even indoors! The flowers usually appear from autumn to spring, and are one to two inches wide, appearing on short stems. These blooms are daisy-like, with white, yellow, or orangish yellow petals, and yellow centers. If the flowers are pollinated, a roundish seed capsule forms, and turns brown when seeds are mature. The seeds held within can be easily sown to propagate new specimens. If your succulent looks like a Fenestraria but has purple flowers, your plant is most likely a different species, Frithia pulchra. Known as fairy elephant’s feet or purple baby toes, F. pulchra looks very much like the subject of this article. But when viewed from the top down, fairy elephant’s feet has more or less heart shaped windows, while Fenestraria windows are a curved triangular shape, similar to a fingernail or toenail. Baby toes was previously classified as Mesembryanthemum rhopalophyllum and Fenestraria aurantiaca, and some nurseries may list the plants by these former names. Now let’s discuss how to keep these cute plants happy! How to Grow Baby toes succulents can be grown as houseplants and are a good choice for low succulent planters, with their shallow root systems and tendency to creep. They are also charming in succulent fairy gardens. Gardeners in USDA Hardiness Zones 9b to 13b can grow baby toes outdoors year round in containers or as a ground cover as long as you have excellent drainage and can provide protection from abundant rainfall. Light Baby toes will display the best growth and produce flowers if provided with at least four and preferably six or more hours of direct sunlight or the equivalent from a grow light per day. But if you’ve just brought yours home from the nursery, rather than situating it in blazing sun immediately, acclimate it gradually. In summer, reduce direct sun exposure to early morning and later in the day, providing light shade during the heat of the day. If you provide bright, indirect light, baby toes is less likely to flower than if it’s in direct sunlight. Soil Baby toes succulents need a growing medium that has a pH range of around 6.0 to 7.0, and is sandy or gravelly with plenty of mineral content, supplying excellent drainage. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. They need a grittier mix than the typical commercial cactus and succulent soil, so you may need to make your own! Aim for 20 to 25 percent organic matter and 75 to 80 percent mineral content. You can make your own mix by using three parts houseplant potting medium, made up of ingredients such as coconut coir, compost, biochar, horticultural charcoal, or pine fines. The other seven parts should be a mix of gritty mineral ingredients, such as sand, gravel, and pumice. One of my favorite potting mix products is Rosy Soil’s Houseplant Mix, available for purchase in four- or eight-quart bags from the Rosy Soil store via Walmart. Rosy Soil Houseplant Mix Even though these plants grow with just their windows showing in their native range, don’t try this at home, as your conditions are likely more comfortable than those found in the wild, and burying the leaves too deep could lead to rotting. In cultivation you’ll have more success covering just the root ball and leaving the foliage above ground. Water In general, you’ll need to allow the growing medium to dry out completely between waterings. When the leaves feel very firm and are wrinkle-free, they are still well-hydrated, so they don’t necessarily need any water. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. If the leaves are starting to look wrinkled, that means they are using up their stored water supplies, and are ready for a drink! In spring and autumn water soon after the growing medium dries out. In winter and summer, allow the medium to dry and then wait for the leaves to just start to wrinkle as well. If you overwater it can cause the leaves to split open, so take care to always check the soil first. Temperature and Humidity Baby toes prefer a temperature range of between 65 to 85°F, but they can tolerate lows of 25°F provided the roots are kept dry. A humidity level of about 40 to 50 percent is ideal. Fertilizing Fertilize once a month during the growing season, using a gentle fertilizer formulated for cacti and succulents. Dr. Earth Succulence I like Dr. Earth’s Succulence Cactus and Succulent Food, available in a 16-ounce pump bottle from Arbico Organics. You can learn more about fertilizing succulents here. Repotting As they are slow growing, you won’t need to repot your baby toes very often. If the plant has outgrown its current container or is planted in the wrong type of growing medium, go ahead and repot immediately. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. Ideally you’ll do this in spring and not while the plant is blooming. These succulents don’t have deep tap roots, so you can choose a shallow pot that’s wide enough to allow the plant to spread horizontally. Make sure the new pot is just one size larger than the current container, and that it has drainage holes. Place a shallow layer of the potting medium in the bottom of the new pot. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. Unpot the plant from its existing pot and remove as much of the existing potting soil from around the roots. Place the bare root plant into the new pot, backfilling with soil until it reaches about half an inch from the rim. You can use some clean, sterilized rocks to help support the plant if it’s not standing up too well by itself. Wait a week before watering. Where to Buy It can be quite difficult to find nurseries selling these memsebs, so you may need to visit a store that specializes in succulents, either in person or online. In addition to the species plant, there are two subspecies and one cultivar: Aurantiaca Formerly considered a separate species, F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca is now considered a subspecies. F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca. These plants have yellow or orange flowers that are nearly three inches wide. Rhopalophylla F. rhopalophylla subsp. rhopalophylla produces white flowers that are two inches wide. It’s worth noting that when you purchase a Fenestraria, the seller likely won’t list to if it is one of the subspecies. Fireworth A cultivar of F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca, ‘Fireworth’ is distinguished by the orange tips of its otherwise yellow flower petals. Propagation Would you like to try propagating your own baby toes succulents? You have a few options. Let’s start with growing from seed! From Seed For this propagation project you’ll need a seed starting tray or nursery pots, growing medium, and of course, seeds. If you don’t have access to a homegrown supply of Fenestraria seeds, you can purchase packets of 30 seeds from the Cz Grain Store via Amazon. Baby Toes Seeds You can sow a large batch of these tiny seeds in a seed starting tray, or use three-inch square nursery pots. You can sow around 15 seeds per three-inch pot. Fill the pots or trays with moist growing medium, leaving about a half an inch of a gap between the surface of the medium and the rim of the container. Sprinkle the tiny seeds on the surface of the growing medium and don’t cover them with soil. Place a humidity dome over the pots or trays. Alternatively, you can place the pots or trays inside transparent, sealable plastic bags, or clear plastic bins. Set them in a spot where they will be exposed to bright, indirect light and where they will stay warm – around 77°F during the day – using a heat mat if necessary. Keep the growing medium moist but not soggy, using the bottom watering method or a spray bottle with a gentle mist. It can take up to a month for the seeds to germinate, but you may see the first seedlings pop up within a week. Keep the seedlings in high humidity for the first one to two months, then start to acclimate them by gradually removing the humidity dome. After acclimating the seedlings to less humid conditions, gradually increase exposure to direct sunlight, but make sure to keep up with watering. Allow the seedlings to mature in the same container for a year before transplanting. Our guide to growing succulents from seed has more information. From Offsets The best time to propagate offsets is in the spring when the plants are actively growing. Examine the stems right above the soil level – offsets will look like separate plants. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. Gently remove an offset along with its roots by breaking or cutting it away from the mother plant, along with its roots. If using scissors, make sure they are clean and sterilized. Allow the offset to callus over for a few days by setting it in a dry location out of direct sunlight. Once the offset has had a few days to callus, prepare two- to three-inch pots or trays by filling them with growing medium to within about half an inch of the rim. Poke a hole in the medium, then insert the offset’s roots. If the offset is floppy, you can add some rocks around it to help keep it propped up. Keep the new plants at a temperature of approximately 68°F, to encourage root establishment, and wait a week before watering. Learn more about propagating succulents from offsets here. Managing Pests and Disease Baby toes succulents are not particularly prone to problems with pests or disease. Outdoors, slugs and snails may come to visit, and indoors, keep an eye out for scale insects, spider mites, and mealybugs. When you bring a new plant home from the store, be sure to inspect it for signs of pests. In addition, take it out of its pot and check the roots for root mealies. Root mealies feed on roots. They look like grains of rice and can be hard to distinguish from bits of perlite. The main disease you should be concerned with in these plants is rot – and this is primarily caused by overly moist growing medium. Our guide to dealing with rot in succulents can help you out. Don’t Put Her in the Corner Nobody puts baby in the corner, and you shouldn’t leave baby toes succulents there either – unless it’s a corner with bright, sunny windows! Whether your succulent goes in a well-lit corner or not, she actually won’t mind if you neglect her somewhat. Remember to allow her well-draining growing medium to dry out between waterings and provide at least four hours of direct sunlight, preferably more! Are you growing baby toes succulents? Let us know in the comments section below! Would you like to learn more about growing succulents? We have more reading for you right here: Photos by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Product photos via Arbico Organics, Cz Grain Store, and Walmart. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '176410929431717'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link

[romaleen]

Fenestraria rhopalophylla With their small, upright, club-shaped leaves, baby toes (Fenestraria rhopalophylla) are among the cutest succulents out there. They feature essentially stemless, green to grayish green, club-shaped leaves that grow vertically, reaching about two inches tall, with a spread of eight inches or more as they produce offsets. The tips of the leaves feature translucent windows, adding to their unusual appearance. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. This species is native to Namibia and South Africa, where it grows in dry coastal deserts where there is plenty of fog and strong winds, and sandy, gravely soils. To protect themselves from windy conditions and intense sunlight the leaves remain mostly buried in soil with only the translucent tips showing, which look like small pebbles. Also known as window plant, this species is a member of the fig marigold or Aizoaceae family, which includes relatives such as lithops, tiger jaws (Faucaria spp.), split rock (Pleiospilos nelii), concrete leaf plant (Titanopsis), and ice plant (Delosperma lehmannii). A worthy addition to any succulent collection, these cute little plants are pretty easy to grow when you provide the right conditions. Ready to learn more? Here’s what I’ll cover: Many of the members of this family are referred to as mesembs or “mimicry plants” as they typically resemble stones or gravel, allowing them to blend in with their natural surroundings. This is the only species in the Fenestraria genus. The transparent tops of the leaves are flat or rounded, and serve as windows, allowing light to enter and perform photosynthesis inside the leaf. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. These are also known as epidermal windows or fenestrations. Other succulent plants that have leaf windows like this include some haworthias, lithops, and some types of peperomias, like ruby glow (Peperomia graveolens). Quick Look Common name(s): Baby toes Plant type: Evergreen succulent Hardiness (USDA Zone): 9b-13b (outdoors) Native to: Namibia, South Africa Bloom time / season: Autumn to spring Exposure: Full sun with protection from heat Soil type: Cactus and succulent mix with extra grit Soil pH: 6.0-7.0, slightly acidic to neutral Time to maturity: 2-5 years Mature size: 8 inches wide x 2 inches high Best uses: Ground cover, houseplant, specimen plant, succulent fairy gardens, succulent planter Taxonomy Order: Caryophyllales Family: Aizoaceae Genus: Fenestraria Species: Rhopalophylla When baby toes are exposed to plenty of sunlight, they produce flowers, even indoors! The flowers usually appear from autumn to spring, and are one to two inches wide, appearing on short stems. These blooms are daisy-like, with white, yellow, or orangish yellow petals, and yellow centers. If the flowers are pollinated, a roundish seed capsule forms, and turns brown when seeds are mature. The seeds held within can be easily sown to propagate new specimens. If your succulent looks like a Fenestraria but has purple flowers, your plant is most likely a different species, Frithia pulchra. Known as fairy elephant’s feet or purple baby toes, F. pulchra looks very much like the subject of this article. But when viewed from the top down, fairy elephant’s feet has more or less heart shaped windows, while Fenestraria windows are a curved triangular shape, similar to a fingernail or toenail. Baby toes was previously classified as Mesembryanthemum rhopalophyllum and Fenestraria aurantiaca, and some nurseries may list the plants by these former names. Now let’s discuss how to keep these cute plants happy! How to Grow Baby toes succulents can be grown as houseplants and are a good choice for low succulent planters, with their shallow root systems and tendency to creep. They are also charming in succulent fairy gardens. Gardeners in USDA Hardiness Zones 9b to 13b can grow baby toes outdoors year round in containers or as a ground cover as long as you have excellent drainage and can provide protection from abundant rainfall. Light Baby toes will display the best growth and produce flowers if provided with at least four and preferably six or more hours of direct sunlight or the equivalent from a grow light per day. But if you’ve just brought yours home from the nursery, rather than situating it in blazing sun immediately, acclimate it gradually. In summer, reduce direct sun exposure to early morning and later in the day, providing light shade during the heat of the day. If you provide bright, indirect light, baby toes is less likely to flower than if it’s in direct sunlight. Soil Baby toes succulents need a growing medium that has a pH range of around 6.0 to 7.0, and is sandy or gravelly with plenty of mineral content, supplying excellent drainage. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. They need a grittier mix than the typical commercial cactus and succulent soil, so you may need to make your own! Aim for 20 to 25 percent organic matter and 75 to 80 percent mineral content. You can make your own mix by using three parts houseplant potting medium, made up of ingredients such as coconut coir, compost, biochar, horticultural charcoal, or pine fines. The other seven parts should be a mix of gritty mineral ingredients, such as sand, gravel, and pumice. One of my favorite potting mix products is Rosy Soil’s Houseplant Mix, available for purchase in four- or eight-quart bags from the Rosy Soil store via Walmart. Rosy Soil Houseplant Mix Even though these plants grow with just their windows showing in their native range, don’t try this at home, as your conditions are likely more comfortable than those found in the wild, and burying the leaves too deep could lead to rotting. In cultivation you’ll have more success covering just the root ball and leaving the foliage above ground. Water In general, you’ll need to allow the growing medium to dry out completely between waterings. When the leaves feel very firm and are wrinkle-free, they are still well-hydrated, so they don’t necessarily need any water. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. If the leaves are starting to look wrinkled, that means they are using up their stored water supplies, and are ready for a drink! In spring and autumn water soon after the growing medium dries out. In winter and summer, allow the medium to dry and then wait for the leaves to just start to wrinkle as well. If you overwater it can cause the leaves to split open, so take care to always check the soil first. Temperature and Humidity Baby toes prefer a temperature range of between 65 to 85°F, but they can tolerate lows of 25°F provided the roots are kept dry. A humidity level of about 40 to 50 percent is ideal. Fertilizing Fertilize once a month during the growing season, using a gentle fertilizer formulated for cacti and succulents. Dr. Earth Succulence I like Dr. Earth’s Succulence Cactus and Succulent Food, available in a 16-ounce pump bottle from Arbico Organics. You can learn more about fertilizing succulents here. Repotting As they are slow growing, you won’t need to repot your baby toes very often. If the plant has outgrown its current container or is planted in the wrong type of growing medium, go ahead and repot immediately. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. Ideally you’ll do this in spring and not while the plant is blooming. These succulents don’t have deep tap roots, so you can choose a shallow pot that’s wide enough to allow the plant to spread horizontally. Make sure the new pot is just one size larger than the current container, and that it has drainage holes. Place a shallow layer of the potting medium in the bottom of the new pot. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. Unpot the plant from its existing pot and remove as much of the existing potting soil from around the roots. Place the bare root plant into the new pot, backfilling with soil until it reaches about half an inch from the rim. You can use some clean, sterilized rocks to help support the plant if it’s not standing up too well by itself. Wait a week before watering. Where to Buy It can be quite difficult to find nurseries selling these memsebs, so you may need to visit a store that specializes in succulents, either in person or online. In addition to the species plant, there are two subspecies and one cultivar: Aurantiaca Formerly considered a separate species, F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca is now considered a subspecies. F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca. These plants have yellow or orange flowers that are nearly three inches wide. Rhopalophylla F. rhopalophylla subsp. rhopalophylla produces white flowers that are two inches wide. It’s worth noting that when you purchase a Fenestraria, the seller likely won’t list to if it is one of the subspecies. Fireworth A cultivar of F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca, ‘Fireworth’ is distinguished by the orange tips of its otherwise yellow flower petals. Propagation Would you like to try propagating your own baby toes succulents? You have a few options. Let’s start with growing from seed! From Seed For this propagation project you’ll need a seed starting tray or nursery pots, growing medium, and of course, seeds. If you don’t have access to a homegrown supply of Fenestraria seeds, you can purchase packets of 30 seeds from the Cz Grain Store via Amazon. Baby Toes Seeds You can sow a large batch of these tiny seeds in a seed starting tray, or use three-inch square nursery pots. You can sow around 15 seeds per three-inch pot. Fill the pots or trays with moist growing medium, leaving about a half an inch of a gap between the surface of the medium and the rim of the container. Sprinkle the tiny seeds on the surface of the growing medium and don’t cover them with soil. Place a humidity dome over the pots or trays. Alternatively, you can place the pots or trays inside transparent, sealable plastic bags, or clear plastic bins. Set them in a spot where they will be exposed to bright, indirect light and where they will stay warm – around 77°F during the day – using a heat mat if necessary. Keep the growing medium moist but not soggy, using the bottom watering method or a spray bottle with a gentle mist. It can take up to a month for the seeds to germinate, but you may see the first seedlings pop up within a week. Keep the seedlings in high humidity for the first one to two months, then start to acclimate them by gradually removing the humidity dome. After acclimating the seedlings to less humid conditions, gradually increase exposure to direct sunlight, but make sure to keep up with watering. Allow the seedlings to mature in the same container for a year before transplanting. Our guide to growing succulents from seed has more information. From Offsets The best time to propagate offsets is in the spring when the plants are actively growing. Examine the stems right above the soil level – offsets will look like separate plants. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. Gently remove an offset along with its roots by breaking or cutting it away from the mother plant, along with its roots. If using scissors, make sure they are clean and sterilized. Allow the offset to callus over for a few days by setting it in a dry location out of direct sunlight. Once the offset has had a few days to callus, prepare two- to three-inch pots or trays by filling them with growing medium to within about half an inch of the rim. Poke a hole in the medium, then insert the offset’s roots. If the offset is floppy, you can add some rocks around it to help keep it propped up. Keep the new plants at a temperature of approximately 68°F, to encourage root establishment, and wait a week before watering. Learn more about propagating succulents from offsets here. Managing Pests and Disease Baby toes succulents are not particularly prone to problems with pests or disease. Outdoors, slugs and snails may come to visit, and indoors, keep an eye out for scale insects, spider mites, and mealybugs. When you bring a new plant home from the store, be sure to inspect it for signs of pests. In addition, take it out of its pot and check the roots for root mealies. Root mealies feed on roots. They look like grains of rice and can be hard to distinguish from bits of perlite. The main disease you should be concerned with in these plants is rot – and this is primarily caused by overly moist growing medium. Our guide to dealing with rot in succulents can help you out. Don’t Put Her in the Corner Nobody puts baby in the corner, and you shouldn’t leave baby toes succulents there either – unless it’s a corner with bright, sunny windows! Whether your succulent goes in a well-lit corner or not, she actually won’t mind if you neglect her somewhat. Remember to allow her well-draining growing medium to dry out between waterings and provide at least four hours of direct sunlight, preferably more! Are you growing baby toes succulents? Let us know in the comments section below! Would you like to learn more about growing succulents? We have more reading for you right here: Photos by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Product photos via Arbico Organics, Cz Grain Store, and Walmart. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '176410929431717'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link

[monaleen101]

Fenestraria rhopalophylla With their small, upright, club-shaped leaves, baby toes (Fenestraria rhopalophylla) are among the cutest succulents out there. They feature essentially stemless, green to grayish green, club-shaped leaves that grow vertically, reaching about two inches tall, with a spread of eight inches or more as they produce offsets. The tips of the leaves feature translucent windows, adding to their unusual appearance. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. This species is native to Namibia and South Africa, where it grows in dry coastal deserts where there is plenty of fog and strong winds, and sandy, gravely soils. To protect themselves from windy conditions and intense sunlight the leaves remain mostly buried in soil with only the translucent tips showing, which look like small pebbles. Also known as window plant, this species is a member of the fig marigold or Aizoaceae family, which includes relatives such as lithops, tiger jaws (Faucaria spp.), split rock (Pleiospilos nelii), concrete leaf plant (Titanopsis), and ice plant (Delosperma lehmannii). A worthy addition to any succulent collection, these cute little plants are pretty easy to grow when you provide the right conditions. Ready to learn more? Here’s what I’ll cover: Many of the members of this family are referred to as mesembs or “mimicry plants” as they typically resemble stones or gravel, allowing them to blend in with their natural surroundings. This is the only species in the Fenestraria genus. The transparent tops of the leaves are flat or rounded, and serve as windows, allowing light to enter and perform photosynthesis inside the leaf. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. These are also known as epidermal windows or fenestrations. Other succulent plants that have leaf windows like this include some haworthias, lithops, and some types of peperomias, like ruby glow (Peperomia graveolens). Quick Look Common name(s): Baby toes Plant type: Evergreen succulent Hardiness (USDA Zone): 9b-13b (outdoors) Native to: Namibia, South Africa Bloom time / season: Autumn to spring Exposure: Full sun with protection from heat Soil type: Cactus and succulent mix with extra grit Soil pH: 6.0-7.0, slightly acidic to neutral Time to maturity: 2-5 years Mature size: 8 inches wide x 2 inches high Best uses: Ground cover, houseplant, specimen plant, succulent fairy gardens, succulent planter Taxonomy Order: Caryophyllales Family: Aizoaceae Genus: Fenestraria Species: Rhopalophylla When baby toes are exposed to plenty of sunlight, they produce flowers, even indoors! The flowers usually appear from autumn to spring, and are one to two inches wide, appearing on short stems. These blooms are daisy-like, with white, yellow, or orangish yellow petals, and yellow centers. If the flowers are pollinated, a roundish seed capsule forms, and turns brown when seeds are mature. The seeds held within can be easily sown to propagate new specimens. If your succulent looks like a Fenestraria but has purple flowers, your plant is most likely a different species, Frithia pulchra. Known as fairy elephant’s feet or purple baby toes, F. pulchra looks very much like the subject of this article. But when viewed from the top down, fairy elephant’s feet has more or less heart shaped windows, while Fenestraria windows are a curved triangular shape, similar to a fingernail or toenail. Baby toes was previously classified as Mesembryanthemum rhopalophyllum and Fenestraria aurantiaca, and some nurseries may list the plants by these former names. Now let’s discuss how to keep these cute plants happy! How to Grow Baby toes succulents can be grown as houseplants and are a good choice for low succulent planters, with their shallow root systems and tendency to creep. They are also charming in succulent fairy gardens. Gardeners in USDA Hardiness Zones 9b to 13b can grow baby toes outdoors year round in containers or as a ground cover as long as you have excellent drainage and can provide protection from abundant rainfall. Light Baby toes will display the best growth and produce flowers if provided with at least four and preferably six or more hours of direct sunlight or the equivalent from a grow light per day. But if you’ve just brought yours home from the nursery, rather than situating it in blazing sun immediately, acclimate it gradually. In summer, reduce direct sun exposure to early morning and later in the day, providing light shade during the heat of the day. If you provide bright, indirect light, baby toes is less likely to flower than if it’s in direct sunlight. Soil Baby toes succulents need a growing medium that has a pH range of around 6.0 to 7.0, and is sandy or gravelly with plenty of mineral content, supplying excellent drainage. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. They need a grittier mix than the typical commercial cactus and succulent soil, so you may need to make your own! Aim for 20 to 25 percent organic matter and 75 to 80 percent mineral content. You can make your own mix by using three parts houseplant potting medium, made up of ingredients such as coconut coir, compost, biochar, horticultural charcoal, or pine fines. The other seven parts should be a mix of gritty mineral ingredients, such as sand, gravel, and pumice. One of my favorite potting mix products is Rosy Soil’s Houseplant Mix, available for purchase in four- or eight-quart bags from the Rosy Soil store via Walmart. Rosy Soil Houseplant Mix Even though these plants grow with just their windows showing in their native range, don’t try this at home, as your conditions are likely more comfortable than those found in the wild, and burying the leaves too deep could lead to rotting. In cultivation you’ll have more success covering just the root ball and leaving the foliage above ground. Water In general, you’ll need to allow the growing medium to dry out completely between waterings. When the leaves feel very firm and are wrinkle-free, they are still well-hydrated, so they don’t necessarily need any water. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. If the leaves are starting to look wrinkled, that means they are using up their stored water supplies, and are ready for a drink! In spring and autumn water soon after the growing medium dries out. In winter and summer, allow the medium to dry and then wait for the leaves to just start to wrinkle as well. If you overwater it can cause the leaves to split open, so take care to always check the soil first. Temperature and Humidity Baby toes prefer a temperature range of between 65 to 85°F, but they can tolerate lows of 25°F provided the roots are kept dry. A humidity level of about 40 to 50 percent is ideal. Fertilizing Fertilize once a month during the growing season, using a gentle fertilizer formulated for cacti and succulents. Dr. Earth Succulence I like Dr. Earth’s Succulence Cactus and Succulent Food, available in a 16-ounce pump bottle from Arbico Organics. You can learn more about fertilizing succulents here. Repotting As they are slow growing, you won’t need to repot your baby toes very often. If the plant has outgrown its current container or is planted in the wrong type of growing medium, go ahead and repot immediately. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. Ideally you’ll do this in spring and not while the plant is blooming. These succulents don’t have deep tap roots, so you can choose a shallow pot that’s wide enough to allow the plant to spread horizontally. Make sure the new pot is just one size larger than the current container, and that it has drainage holes. Place a shallow layer of the potting medium in the bottom of the new pot. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. Unpot the plant from its existing pot and remove as much of the existing potting soil from around the roots. Place the bare root plant into the new pot, backfilling with soil until it reaches about half an inch from the rim. You can use some clean, sterilized rocks to help support the plant if it’s not standing up too well by itself. Wait a week before watering. Where to Buy It can be quite difficult to find nurseries selling these memsebs, so you may need to visit a store that specializes in succulents, either in person or online. In addition to the species plant, there are two subspecies and one cultivar: Aurantiaca Formerly considered a separate species, F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca is now considered a subspecies. F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca. These plants have yellow or orange flowers that are nearly three inches wide. Rhopalophylla F. rhopalophylla subsp. rhopalophylla produces white flowers that are two inches wide. It’s worth noting that when you purchase a Fenestraria, the seller likely won’t list to if it is one of the subspecies. Fireworth A cultivar of F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca, ‘Fireworth’ is distinguished by the orange tips of its otherwise yellow flower petals. Propagation Would you like to try propagating your own baby toes succulents? You have a few options. Let’s start with growing from seed! From Seed For this propagation project you’ll need a seed starting tray or nursery pots, growing medium, and of course, seeds. If you don’t have access to a homegrown supply of Fenestraria seeds, you can purchase packets of 30 seeds from the Cz Grain Store via Amazon. Baby Toes Seeds You can sow a large batch of these tiny seeds in a seed starting tray, or use three-inch square nursery pots. You can sow around 15 seeds per three-inch pot. Fill the pots or trays with moist growing medium, leaving about a half an inch of a gap between the surface of the medium and the rim of the container. Sprinkle the tiny seeds on the surface of the growing medium and don’t cover them with soil. Place a humidity dome over the pots or trays. Alternatively, you can place the pots or trays inside transparent, sealable plastic bags, or clear plastic bins. Set them in a spot where they will be exposed to bright, indirect light and where they will stay warm – around 77°F during the day – using a heat mat if necessary. Keep the growing medium moist but not soggy, using the bottom watering method or a spray bottle with a gentle mist. It can take up to a month for the seeds to germinate, but you may see the first seedlings pop up within a week. Keep the seedlings in high humidity for the first one to two months, then start to acclimate them by gradually removing the humidity dome. After acclimating the seedlings to less humid conditions, gradually increase exposure to direct sunlight, but make sure to keep up with watering. Allow the seedlings to mature in the same container for a year before transplanting. Our guide to growing succulents from seed has more information. From Offsets The best time to propagate offsets is in the spring when the plants are actively growing. Examine the stems right above the soil level – offsets will look like separate plants. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. Gently remove an offset along with its roots by breaking or cutting it away from the mother plant, along with its roots. If using scissors, make sure they are clean and sterilized. Allow the offset to callus over for a few days by setting it in a dry location out of direct sunlight. Once the offset has had a few days to callus, prepare two- to three-inch pots or trays by filling them with growing medium to within about half an inch of the rim. Poke a hole in the medium, then insert the offset’s roots. If the offset is floppy, you can add some rocks around it to help keep it propped up. Keep the new plants at a temperature of approximately 68°F, to encourage root establishment, and wait a week before watering. Learn more about propagating succulents from offsets here. Managing Pests and Disease Baby toes succulents are not particularly prone to problems with pests or disease. Outdoors, slugs and snails may come to visit, and indoors, keep an eye out for scale insects, spider mites, and mealybugs. When you bring a new plant home from the store, be sure to inspect it for signs of pests. In addition, take it out of its pot and check the roots for root mealies. Root mealies feed on roots. They look like grains of rice and can be hard to distinguish from bits of perlite. The main disease you should be concerned with in these plants is rot – and this is primarily caused by overly moist growing medium. Our guide to dealing with rot in succulents can help you out. Don’t Put Her in the Corner Nobody puts baby in the corner, and you shouldn’t leave baby toes succulents there either – unless it’s a corner with bright, sunny windows! Whether your succulent goes in a well-lit corner or not, she actually won’t mind if you neglect her somewhat. Remember to allow her well-draining growing medium to dry out between waterings and provide at least four hours of direct sunlight, preferably more! Are you growing baby toes succulents? Let us know in the comments section below! Would you like to learn more about growing succulents? We have more reading for you right here: Photos by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Product photos via Arbico Organics, Cz Grain Store, and Walmart. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '176410929431717'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link

[iamownerofme]

Fenestraria rhopalophylla With their small, upright, club-shaped leaves, baby toes (Fenestraria rhopalophylla) are among the cutest succulents out there. They feature essentially stemless, green to grayish green, club-shaped leaves that grow vertically, reaching about two inches tall, with a spread of eight inches or more as they produce offsets. The tips of the leaves feature translucent windows, adding to their unusual appearance. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. This species is native to Namibia and South Africa, where it grows in dry coastal deserts where there is plenty of fog and strong winds, and sandy, gravely soils. To protect themselves from windy conditions and intense sunlight the leaves remain mostly buried in soil with only the translucent tips showing, which look like small pebbles. Also known as window plant, this species is a member of the fig marigold or Aizoaceae family, which includes relatives such as lithops, tiger jaws (Faucaria spp.), split rock (Pleiospilos nelii), concrete leaf plant (Titanopsis), and ice plant (Delosperma lehmannii). A worthy addition to any succulent collection, these cute little plants are pretty easy to grow when you provide the right conditions. Ready to learn more? Here’s what I’ll cover: Many of the members of this family are referred to as mesembs or “mimicry plants” as they typically resemble stones or gravel, allowing them to blend in with their natural surroundings. This is the only species in the Fenestraria genus. The transparent tops of the leaves are flat or rounded, and serve as windows, allowing light to enter and perform photosynthesis inside the leaf. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. These are also known as epidermal windows or fenestrations. Other succulent plants that have leaf windows like this include some haworthias, lithops, and some types of peperomias, like ruby glow (Peperomia graveolens). Quick Look Common name(s): Baby toes Plant type: Evergreen succulent Hardiness (USDA Zone): 9b-13b (outdoors) Native to: Namibia, South Africa Bloom time / season: Autumn to spring Exposure: Full sun with protection from heat Soil type: Cactus and succulent mix with extra grit Soil pH: 6.0-7.0, slightly acidic to neutral Time to maturity: 2-5 years Mature size: 8 inches wide x 2 inches high Best uses: Ground cover, houseplant, specimen plant, succulent fairy gardens, succulent planter Taxonomy Order: Caryophyllales Family: Aizoaceae Genus: Fenestraria Species: Rhopalophylla When baby toes are exposed to plenty of sunlight, they produce flowers, even indoors! The flowers usually appear from autumn to spring, and are one to two inches wide, appearing on short stems. These blooms are daisy-like, with white, yellow, or orangish yellow petals, and yellow centers. If the flowers are pollinated, a roundish seed capsule forms, and turns brown when seeds are mature. The seeds held within can be easily sown to propagate new specimens. If your succulent looks like a Fenestraria but has purple flowers, your plant is most likely a different species, Frithia pulchra. Known as fairy elephant’s feet or purple baby toes, F. pulchra looks very much like the subject of this article. But when viewed from the top down, fairy elephant’s feet has more or less heart shaped windows, while Fenestraria windows are a curved triangular shape, similar to a fingernail or toenail. Baby toes was previously classified as Mesembryanthemum rhopalophyllum and Fenestraria aurantiaca, and some nurseries may list the plants by these former names. Now let’s discuss how to keep these cute plants happy! How to Grow Baby toes succulents can be grown as houseplants and are a good choice for low succulent planters, with their shallow root systems and tendency to creep. They are also charming in succulent fairy gardens. Gardeners in USDA Hardiness Zones 9b to 13b can grow baby toes outdoors year round in containers or as a ground cover as long as you have excellent drainage and can provide protection from abundant rainfall. Light Baby toes will display the best growth and produce flowers if provided with at least four and preferably six or more hours of direct sunlight or the equivalent from a grow light per day. But if you’ve just brought yours home from the nursery, rather than situating it in blazing sun immediately, acclimate it gradually. In summer, reduce direct sun exposure to early morning and later in the day, providing light shade during the heat of the day. If you provide bright, indirect light, baby toes is less likely to flower than if it’s in direct sunlight. Soil Baby toes succulents need a growing medium that has a pH range of around 6.0 to 7.0, and is sandy or gravelly with plenty of mineral content, supplying excellent drainage. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. They need a grittier mix than the typical commercial cactus and succulent soil, so you may need to make your own! Aim for 20 to 25 percent organic matter and 75 to 80 percent mineral content. You can make your own mix by using three parts houseplant potting medium, made up of ingredients such as coconut coir, compost, biochar, horticultural charcoal, or pine fines. The other seven parts should be a mix of gritty mineral ingredients, such as sand, gravel, and pumice. One of my favorite potting mix products is Rosy Soil’s Houseplant Mix, available for purchase in four- or eight-quart bags from the Rosy Soil store via Walmart. Rosy Soil Houseplant Mix Even though these plants grow with just their windows showing in their native range, don’t try this at home, as your conditions are likely more comfortable than those found in the wild, and burying the leaves too deep could lead to rotting. In cultivation you’ll have more success covering just the root ball and leaving the foliage above ground. Water In general, you’ll need to allow the growing medium to dry out completely between waterings. When the leaves feel very firm and are wrinkle-free, they are still well-hydrated, so they don’t necessarily need any water. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. If the leaves are starting to look wrinkled, that means they are using up their stored water supplies, and are ready for a drink! In spring and autumn water soon after the growing medium dries out. In winter and summer, allow the medium to dry and then wait for the leaves to just start to wrinkle as well. If you overwater it can cause the leaves to split open, so take care to always check the soil first. Temperature and Humidity Baby toes prefer a temperature range of between 65 to 85°F, but they can tolerate lows of 25°F provided the roots are kept dry. A humidity level of about 40 to 50 percent is ideal. Fertilizing Fertilize once a month during the growing season, using a gentle fertilizer formulated for cacti and succulents. Dr. Earth Succulence I like Dr. Earth’s Succulence Cactus and Succulent Food, available in a 16-ounce pump bottle from Arbico Organics. You can learn more about fertilizing succulents here. Repotting As they are slow growing, you won’t need to repot your baby toes very often. If the plant has outgrown its current container or is planted in the wrong type of growing medium, go ahead and repot immediately. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. Ideally you’ll do this in spring and not while the plant is blooming. These succulents don’t have deep tap roots, so you can choose a shallow pot that’s wide enough to allow the plant to spread horizontally. Make sure the new pot is just one size larger than the current container, and that it has drainage holes. Place a shallow layer of the potting medium in the bottom of the new pot. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. Unpot the plant from its existing pot and remove as much of the existing potting soil from around the roots. Place the bare root plant into the new pot, backfilling with soil until it reaches about half an inch from the rim. You can use some clean, sterilized rocks to help support the plant if it’s not standing up too well by itself. Wait a week before watering. Where to Buy It can be quite difficult to find nurseries selling these memsebs, so you may need to visit a store that specializes in succulents, either in person or online. In addition to the species plant, there are two subspecies and one cultivar: Aurantiaca Formerly considered a separate species, F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca is now considered a subspecies. F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca. These plants have yellow or orange flowers that are nearly three inches wide. Rhopalophylla F. rhopalophylla subsp. rhopalophylla produces white flowers that are two inches wide. It’s worth noting that when you purchase a Fenestraria, the seller likely won’t list to if it is one of the subspecies. Fireworth A cultivar of F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca, ‘Fireworth’ is distinguished by the orange tips of its otherwise yellow flower petals. Propagation Would you like to try propagating your own baby toes succulents? You have a few options. Let’s start with growing from seed! From Seed For this propagation project you’ll need a seed starting tray or nursery pots, growing medium, and of course, seeds. If you don’t have access to a homegrown supply of Fenestraria seeds, you can purchase packets of 30 seeds from the Cz Grain Store via Amazon. Baby Toes Seeds You can sow a large batch of these tiny seeds in a seed starting tray, or use three-inch square nursery pots. You can sow around 15 seeds per three-inch pot. Fill the pots or trays with moist growing medium, leaving about a half an inch of a gap between the surface of the medium and the rim of the container. Sprinkle the tiny seeds on the surface of the growing medium and don’t cover them with soil. Place a humidity dome over the pots or trays. Alternatively, you can place the pots or trays inside transparent, sealable plastic bags, or clear plastic bins. Set them in a spot where they will be exposed to bright, indirect light and where they will stay warm – around 77°F during the day – using a heat mat if necessary. Keep the growing medium moist but not soggy, using the bottom watering method or a spray bottle with a gentle mist. It can take up to a month for the seeds to germinate, but you may see the first seedlings pop up within a week. Keep the seedlings in high humidity for the first one to two months, then start to acclimate them by gradually removing the humidity dome. After acclimating the seedlings to less humid conditions, gradually increase exposure to direct sunlight, but make sure to keep up with watering. Allow the seedlings to mature in the same container for a year before transplanting. Our guide to growing succulents from seed has more information. From Offsets The best time to propagate offsets is in the spring when the plants are actively growing. Examine the stems right above the soil level – offsets will look like separate plants. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. Gently remove an offset along with its roots by breaking or cutting it away from the mother plant, along with its roots. If using scissors, make sure they are clean and sterilized. Allow the offset to callus over for a few days by setting it in a dry location out of direct sunlight. Once the offset has had a few days to callus, prepare two- to three-inch pots or trays by filling them with growing medium to within about half an inch of the rim. Poke a hole in the medium, then insert the offset’s roots. If the offset is floppy, you can add some rocks around it to help keep it propped up. Keep the new plants at a temperature of approximately 68°F, to encourage root establishment, and wait a week before watering. Learn more about propagating succulents from offsets here. Managing Pests and Disease Baby toes succulents are not particularly prone to problems with pests or disease. Outdoors, slugs and snails may come to visit, and indoors, keep an eye out for scale insects, spider mites, and mealybugs. When you bring a new plant home from the store, be sure to inspect it for signs of pests. In addition, take it out of its pot and check the roots for root mealies. Root mealies feed on roots. They look like grains of rice and can be hard to distinguish from bits of perlite. The main disease you should be concerned with in these plants is rot – and this is primarily caused by overly moist growing medium. Our guide to dealing with rot in succulents can help you out. Don’t Put Her in the Corner Nobody puts baby in the corner, and you shouldn’t leave baby toes succulents there either – unless it’s a corner with bright, sunny windows! Whether your succulent goes in a well-lit corner or not, she actually won’t mind if you neglect her somewhat. Remember to allow her well-draining growing medium to dry out between waterings and provide at least four hours of direct sunlight, preferably more! Are you growing baby toes succulents? Let us know in the comments section below! Would you like to learn more about growing succulents? We have more reading for you right here: Photos by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Product photos via Arbico Organics, Cz Grain Store, and Walmart. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '176410929431717'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link

[shelyold]

Fenestraria rhopalophylla With their small, upright, club-shaped leaves, baby toes (Fenestraria rhopalophylla) are among the cutest succulents out there. They feature essentially stemless, green to grayish green, club-shaped leaves that grow vertically, reaching about two inches tall, with a spread of eight inches or more as they produce offsets. The tips of the leaves feature translucent windows, adding to their unusual appearance. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. This species is native to Namibia and South Africa, where it grows in dry coastal deserts where there is plenty of fog and strong winds, and sandy, gravely soils. To protect themselves from windy conditions and intense sunlight the leaves remain mostly buried in soil with only the translucent tips showing, which look like small pebbles. Also known as window plant, this species is a member of the fig marigold or Aizoaceae family, which includes relatives such as lithops, tiger jaws (Faucaria spp.), split rock (Pleiospilos nelii), concrete leaf plant (Titanopsis), and ice plant (Delosperma lehmannii). A worthy addition to any succulent collection, these cute little plants are pretty easy to grow when you provide the right conditions. Ready to learn more? Here’s what I’ll cover: Many of the members of this family are referred to as mesembs or “mimicry plants” as they typically resemble stones or gravel, allowing them to blend in with their natural surroundings. This is the only species in the Fenestraria genus. The transparent tops of the leaves are flat or rounded, and serve as windows, allowing light to enter and perform photosynthesis inside the leaf. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. These are also known as epidermal windows or fenestrations. Other succulent plants that have leaf windows like this include some haworthias, lithops, and some types of peperomias, like ruby glow (Peperomia graveolens). Quick Look Common name(s): Baby toes Plant type: Evergreen succulent Hardiness (USDA Zone): 9b-13b (outdoors) Native to: Namibia, South Africa Bloom time / season: Autumn to spring Exposure: Full sun with protection from heat Soil type: Cactus and succulent mix with extra grit Soil pH: 6.0-7.0, slightly acidic to neutral Time to maturity: 2-5 years Mature size: 8 inches wide x 2 inches high Best uses: Ground cover, houseplant, specimen plant, succulent fairy gardens, succulent planter Taxonomy Order: Caryophyllales Family: Aizoaceae Genus: Fenestraria Species: Rhopalophylla When baby toes are exposed to plenty of sunlight, they produce flowers, even indoors! The flowers usually appear from autumn to spring, and are one to two inches wide, appearing on short stems. These blooms are daisy-like, with white, yellow, or orangish yellow petals, and yellow centers. If the flowers are pollinated, a roundish seed capsule forms, and turns brown when seeds are mature. The seeds held within can be easily sown to propagate new specimens. If your succulent looks like a Fenestraria but has purple flowers, your plant is most likely a different species, Frithia pulchra. Known as fairy elephant’s feet or purple baby toes, F. pulchra looks very much like the subject of this article. But when viewed from the top down, fairy elephant’s feet has more or less heart shaped windows, while Fenestraria windows are a curved triangular shape, similar to a fingernail or toenail. Baby toes was previously classified as Mesembryanthemum rhopalophyllum and Fenestraria aurantiaca, and some nurseries may list the plants by these former names. Now let’s discuss how to keep these cute plants happy! How to Grow Baby toes succulents can be grown as houseplants and are a good choice for low succulent planters, with their shallow root systems and tendency to creep. They are also charming in succulent fairy gardens. Gardeners in USDA Hardiness Zones 9b to 13b can grow baby toes outdoors year round in containers or as a ground cover as long as you have excellent drainage and can provide protection from abundant rainfall. Light Baby toes will display the best growth and produce flowers if provided with at least four and preferably six or more hours of direct sunlight or the equivalent from a grow light per day. But if you’ve just brought yours home from the nursery, rather than situating it in blazing sun immediately, acclimate it gradually. In summer, reduce direct sun exposure to early morning and later in the day, providing light shade during the heat of the day. If you provide bright, indirect light, baby toes is less likely to flower than if it’s in direct sunlight. Soil Baby toes succulents need a growing medium that has a pH range of around 6.0 to 7.0, and is sandy or gravelly with plenty of mineral content, supplying excellent drainage. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. They need a grittier mix than the typical commercial cactus and succulent soil, so you may need to make your own! Aim for 20 to 25 percent organic matter and 75 to 80 percent mineral content. You can make your own mix by using three parts houseplant potting medium, made up of ingredients such as coconut coir, compost, biochar, horticultural charcoal, or pine fines. The other seven parts should be a mix of gritty mineral ingredients, such as sand, gravel, and pumice. One of my favorite potting mix products is Rosy Soil’s Houseplant Mix, available for purchase in four- or eight-quart bags from the Rosy Soil store via Walmart. Rosy Soil Houseplant Mix Even though these plants grow with just their windows showing in their native range, don’t try this at home, as your conditions are likely more comfortable than those found in the wild, and burying the leaves too deep could lead to rotting. In cultivation you’ll have more success covering just the root ball and leaving the foliage above ground. Water In general, you’ll need to allow the growing medium to dry out completely between waterings. When the leaves feel very firm and are wrinkle-free, they are still well-hydrated, so they don’t necessarily need any water. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. If the leaves are starting to look wrinkled, that means they are using up their stored water supplies, and are ready for a drink! In spring and autumn water soon after the growing medium dries out. In winter and summer, allow the medium to dry and then wait for the leaves to just start to wrinkle as well. If you overwater it can cause the leaves to split open, so take care to always check the soil first. Temperature and Humidity Baby toes prefer a temperature range of between 65 to 85°F, but they can tolerate lows of 25°F provided the roots are kept dry. A humidity level of about 40 to 50 percent is ideal. Fertilizing Fertilize once a month during the growing season, using a gentle fertilizer formulated for cacti and succulents. Dr. Earth Succulence I like Dr. Earth’s Succulence Cactus and Succulent Food, available in a 16-ounce pump bottle from Arbico Organics. You can learn more about fertilizing succulents here. Repotting As they are slow growing, you won’t need to repot your baby toes very often. If the plant has outgrown its current container or is planted in the wrong type of growing medium, go ahead and repot immediately. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. Ideally you’ll do this in spring and not while the plant is blooming. These succulents don’t have deep tap roots, so you can choose a shallow pot that’s wide enough to allow the plant to spread horizontally. Make sure the new pot is just one size larger than the current container, and that it has drainage holes. Place a shallow layer of the potting medium in the bottom of the new pot. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. Unpot the plant from its existing pot and remove as much of the existing potting soil from around the roots. Place the bare root plant into the new pot, backfilling with soil until it reaches about half an inch from the rim. You can use some clean, sterilized rocks to help support the plant if it’s not standing up too well by itself. Wait a week before watering. Where to Buy It can be quite difficult to find nurseries selling these memsebs, so you may need to visit a store that specializes in succulents, either in person or online. In addition to the species plant, there are two subspecies and one cultivar: Aurantiaca Formerly considered a separate species, F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca is now considered a subspecies. F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca. These plants have yellow or orange flowers that are nearly three inches wide. Rhopalophylla F. rhopalophylla subsp. rhopalophylla produces white flowers that are two inches wide. It’s worth noting that when you purchase a Fenestraria, the seller likely won’t list to if it is one of the subspecies. Fireworth A cultivar of F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca, ‘Fireworth’ is distinguished by the orange tips of its otherwise yellow flower petals. Propagation Would you like to try propagating your own baby toes succulents? You have a few options. Let’s start with growing from seed! From Seed For this propagation project you’ll need a seed starting tray or nursery pots, growing medium, and of course, seeds. If you don’t have access to a homegrown supply of Fenestraria seeds, you can purchase packets of 30 seeds from the Cz Grain Store via Amazon. Baby Toes Seeds You can sow a large batch of these tiny seeds in a seed starting tray, or use three-inch square nursery pots. You can sow around 15 seeds per three-inch pot. Fill the pots or trays with moist growing medium, leaving about a half an inch of a gap between the surface of the medium and the rim of the container. Sprinkle the tiny seeds on the surface of the growing medium and don’t cover them with soil. Place a humidity dome over the pots or trays. Alternatively, you can place the pots or trays inside transparent, sealable plastic bags, or clear plastic bins. Set them in a spot where they will be exposed to bright, indirect light and where they will stay warm – around 77°F during the day – using a heat mat if necessary. Keep the growing medium moist but not soggy, using the bottom watering method or a spray bottle with a gentle mist. It can take up to a month for the seeds to germinate, but you may see the first seedlings pop up within a week. Keep the seedlings in high humidity for the first one to two months, then start to acclimate them by gradually removing the humidity dome. After acclimating the seedlings to less humid conditions, gradually increase exposure to direct sunlight, but make sure to keep up with watering. Allow the seedlings to mature in the same container for a year before transplanting. Our guide to growing succulents from seed has more information. From Offsets The best time to propagate offsets is in the spring when the plants are actively growing. Examine the stems right above the soil level – offsets will look like separate plants. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. Gently remove an offset along with its roots by breaking or cutting it away from the mother plant, along with its roots. If using scissors, make sure they are clean and sterilized. Allow the offset to callus over for a few days by setting it in a dry location out of direct sunlight. Once the offset has had a few days to callus, prepare two- to three-inch pots or trays by filling them with growing medium to within about half an inch of the rim. Poke a hole in the medium, then insert the offset’s roots. If the offset is floppy, you can add some rocks around it to help keep it propped up. Keep the new plants at a temperature of approximately 68°F, to encourage root establishment, and wait a week before watering. Learn more about propagating succulents from offsets here. Managing Pests and Disease Baby toes succulents are not particularly prone to problems with pests or disease. Outdoors, slugs and snails may come to visit, and indoors, keep an eye out for scale insects, spider mites, and mealybugs. When you bring a new plant home from the store, be sure to inspect it for signs of pests. In addition, take it out of its pot and check the roots for root mealies. Root mealies feed on roots. They look like grains of rice and can be hard to distinguish from bits of perlite. The main disease you should be concerned with in these plants is rot – and this is primarily caused by overly moist growing medium. Our guide to dealing with rot in succulents can help you out. Don’t Put Her in the Corner Nobody puts baby in the corner, and you shouldn’t leave baby toes succulents there either – unless it’s a corner with bright, sunny windows! Whether your succulent goes in a well-lit corner or not, she actually won’t mind if you neglect her somewhat. Remember to allow her well-draining growing medium to dry out between waterings and provide at least four hours of direct sunlight, preferably more! Are you growing baby toes succulents? Let us know in the comments section below! Would you like to learn more about growing succulents? We have more reading for you right here: Photos by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Product photos via Arbico Organics, Cz Grain Store, and Walmart. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '176410929431717'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link

[iammeandmy]

Fenestraria rhopalophylla With their small, upright, club-shaped leaves, baby toes (Fenestraria rhopalophylla) are among the cutest succulents out there. They feature essentially stemless, green to grayish green, club-shaped leaves that grow vertically, reaching about two inches tall, with a spread of eight inches or more as they produce offsets. The tips of the leaves feature translucent windows, adding to their unusual appearance. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. This species is native to Namibia and South Africa, where it grows in dry coastal deserts where there is plenty of fog and strong winds, and sandy, gravely soils. To protect themselves from windy conditions and intense sunlight the leaves remain mostly buried in soil with only the translucent tips showing, which look like small pebbles. Also known as window plant, this species is a member of the fig marigold or Aizoaceae family, which includes relatives such as lithops, tiger jaws (Faucaria spp.), split rock (Pleiospilos nelii), concrete leaf plant (Titanopsis), and ice plant (Delosperma lehmannii). A worthy addition to any succulent collection, these cute little plants are pretty easy to grow when you provide the right conditions. Ready to learn more? Here’s what I’ll cover: Many of the members of this family are referred to as mesembs or “mimicry plants” as they typically resemble stones or gravel, allowing them to blend in with their natural surroundings. This is the only species in the Fenestraria genus. The transparent tops of the leaves are flat or rounded, and serve as windows, allowing light to enter and perform photosynthesis inside the leaf. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. These are also known as epidermal windows or fenestrations. Other succulent plants that have leaf windows like this include some haworthias, lithops, and some types of peperomias, like ruby glow (Peperomia graveolens). Quick Look Common name(s): Baby toes Plant type: Evergreen succulent Hardiness (USDA Zone): 9b-13b (outdoors) Native to: Namibia, South Africa Bloom time / season: Autumn to spring Exposure: Full sun with protection from heat Soil type: Cactus and succulent mix with extra grit Soil pH: 6.0-7.0, slightly acidic to neutral Time to maturity: 2-5 years Mature size: 8 inches wide x 2 inches high Best uses: Ground cover, houseplant, specimen plant, succulent fairy gardens, succulent planter Taxonomy Order: Caryophyllales Family: Aizoaceae Genus: Fenestraria Species: Rhopalophylla When baby toes are exposed to plenty of sunlight, they produce flowers, even indoors! The flowers usually appear from autumn to spring, and are one to two inches wide, appearing on short stems. These blooms are daisy-like, with white, yellow, or orangish yellow petals, and yellow centers. If the flowers are pollinated, a roundish seed capsule forms, and turns brown when seeds are mature. The seeds held within can be easily sown to propagate new specimens. If your succulent looks like a Fenestraria but has purple flowers, your plant is most likely a different species, Frithia pulchra. Known as fairy elephant’s feet or purple baby toes, F. pulchra looks very much like the subject of this article. But when viewed from the top down, fairy elephant’s feet has more or less heart shaped windows, while Fenestraria windows are a curved triangular shape, similar to a fingernail or toenail. Baby toes was previously classified as Mesembryanthemum rhopalophyllum and Fenestraria aurantiaca, and some nurseries may list the plants by these former names. Now let’s discuss how to keep these cute plants happy! How to Grow Baby toes succulents can be grown as houseplants and are a good choice for low succulent planters, with their shallow root systems and tendency to creep. They are also charming in succulent fairy gardens. Gardeners in USDA Hardiness Zones 9b to 13b can grow baby toes outdoors year round in containers or as a ground cover as long as you have excellent drainage and can provide protection from abundant rainfall. Light Baby toes will display the best growth and produce flowers if provided with at least four and preferably six or more hours of direct sunlight or the equivalent from a grow light per day. But if you’ve just brought yours home from the nursery, rather than situating it in blazing sun immediately, acclimate it gradually. In summer, reduce direct sun exposure to early morning and later in the day, providing light shade during the heat of the day. If you provide bright, indirect light, baby toes is less likely to flower than if it’s in direct sunlight. Soil Baby toes succulents need a growing medium that has a pH range of around 6.0 to 7.0, and is sandy or gravelly with plenty of mineral content, supplying excellent drainage. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. They need a grittier mix than the typical commercial cactus and succulent soil, so you may need to make your own! Aim for 20 to 25 percent organic matter and 75 to 80 percent mineral content. You can make your own mix by using three parts houseplant potting medium, made up of ingredients such as coconut coir, compost, biochar, horticultural charcoal, or pine fines. The other seven parts should be a mix of gritty mineral ingredients, such as sand, gravel, and pumice. One of my favorite potting mix products is Rosy Soil’s Houseplant Mix, available for purchase in four- or eight-quart bags from the Rosy Soil store via Walmart. Rosy Soil Houseplant Mix Even though these plants grow with just their windows showing in their native range, don’t try this at home, as your conditions are likely more comfortable than those found in the wild, and burying the leaves too deep could lead to rotting. In cultivation you’ll have more success covering just the root ball and leaving the foliage above ground. Water In general, you’ll need to allow the growing medium to dry out completely between waterings. When the leaves feel very firm and are wrinkle-free, they are still well-hydrated, so they don’t necessarily need any water. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. If the leaves are starting to look wrinkled, that means they are using up their stored water supplies, and are ready for a drink! In spring and autumn water soon after the growing medium dries out. In winter and summer, allow the medium to dry and then wait for the leaves to just start to wrinkle as well. If you overwater it can cause the leaves to split open, so take care to always check the soil first. Temperature and Humidity Baby toes prefer a temperature range of between 65 to 85°F, but they can tolerate lows of 25°F provided the roots are kept dry. A humidity level of about 40 to 50 percent is ideal. Fertilizing Fertilize once a month during the growing season, using a gentle fertilizer formulated for cacti and succulents. Dr. Earth Succulence I like Dr. Earth’s Succulence Cactus and Succulent Food, available in a 16-ounce pump bottle from Arbico Organics. You can learn more about fertilizing succulents here. Repotting As they are slow growing, you won’t need to repot your baby toes very often. If the plant has outgrown its current container or is planted in the wrong type of growing medium, go ahead and repot immediately. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. Ideally you’ll do this in spring and not while the plant is blooming. These succulents don’t have deep tap roots, so you can choose a shallow pot that’s wide enough to allow the plant to spread horizontally. Make sure the new pot is just one size larger than the current container, and that it has drainage holes. Place a shallow layer of the potting medium in the bottom of the new pot. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. Unpot the plant from its existing pot and remove as much of the existing potting soil from around the roots. Place the bare root plant into the new pot, backfilling with soil until it reaches about half an inch from the rim. You can use some clean, sterilized rocks to help support the plant if it’s not standing up too well by itself. Wait a week before watering. Where to Buy It can be quite difficult to find nurseries selling these memsebs, so you may need to visit a store that specializes in succulents, either in person or online. In addition to the species plant, there are two subspecies and one cultivar: Aurantiaca Formerly considered a separate species, F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca is now considered a subspecies. F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca. These plants have yellow or orange flowers that are nearly three inches wide. Rhopalophylla F. rhopalophylla subsp. rhopalophylla produces white flowers that are two inches wide. It’s worth noting that when you purchase a Fenestraria, the seller likely won’t list to if it is one of the subspecies. Fireworth A cultivar of F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca, ‘Fireworth’ is distinguished by the orange tips of its otherwise yellow flower petals. Propagation Would you like to try propagating your own baby toes succulents? You have a few options. Let’s start with growing from seed! From Seed For this propagation project you’ll need a seed starting tray or nursery pots, growing medium, and of course, seeds. If you don’t have access to a homegrown supply of Fenestraria seeds, you can purchase packets of 30 seeds from the Cz Grain Store via Amazon. Baby Toes Seeds You can sow a large batch of these tiny seeds in a seed starting tray, or use three-inch square nursery pots. You can sow around 15 seeds per three-inch pot. Fill the pots or trays with moist growing medium, leaving about a half an inch of a gap between the surface of the medium and the rim of the container. Sprinkle the tiny seeds on the surface of the growing medium and don’t cover them with soil. Place a humidity dome over the pots or trays. Alternatively, you can place the pots or trays inside transparent, sealable plastic bags, or clear plastic bins. Set them in a spot where they will be exposed to bright, indirect light and where they will stay warm – around 77°F during the day – using a heat mat if necessary. Keep the growing medium moist but not soggy, using the bottom watering method or a spray bottle with a gentle mist. It can take up to a month for the seeds to germinate, but you may see the first seedlings pop up within a week. Keep the seedlings in high humidity for the first one to two months, then start to acclimate them by gradually removing the humidity dome. After acclimating the seedlings to less humid conditions, gradually increase exposure to direct sunlight, but make sure to keep up with watering. Allow the seedlings to mature in the same container for a year before transplanting. Our guide to growing succulents from seed has more information. From Offsets The best time to propagate offsets is in the spring when the plants are actively growing. Examine the stems right above the soil level – offsets will look like separate plants. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. Gently remove an offset along with its roots by breaking or cutting it away from the mother plant, along with its roots. If using scissors, make sure they are clean and sterilized. Allow the offset to callus over for a few days by setting it in a dry location out of direct sunlight. Once the offset has had a few days to callus, prepare two- to three-inch pots or trays by filling them with growing medium to within about half an inch of the rim. Poke a hole in the medium, then insert the offset’s roots. If the offset is floppy, you can add some rocks around it to help keep it propped up. Keep the new plants at a temperature of approximately 68°F, to encourage root establishment, and wait a week before watering. Learn more about propagating succulents from offsets here. Managing Pests and Disease Baby toes succulents are not particularly prone to problems with pests or disease. Outdoors, slugs and snails may come to visit, and indoors, keep an eye out for scale insects, spider mites, and mealybugs. When you bring a new plant home from the store, be sure to inspect it for signs of pests. In addition, take it out of its pot and check the roots for root mealies. Root mealies feed on roots. They look like grains of rice and can be hard to distinguish from bits of perlite. The main disease you should be concerned with in these plants is rot – and this is primarily caused by overly moist growing medium. Our guide to dealing with rot in succulents can help you out. Don’t Put Her in the Corner Nobody puts baby in the corner, and you shouldn’t leave baby toes succulents there either – unless it’s a corner with bright, sunny windows! Whether your succulent goes in a well-lit corner or not, she actually won’t mind if you neglect her somewhat. Remember to allow her well-draining growing medium to dry out between waterings and provide at least four hours of direct sunlight, preferably more! Are you growing baby toes succulents? Let us know in the comments section below! Would you like to learn more about growing succulents? We have more reading for you right here: Photos by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Product photos via Arbico Organics, Cz Grain Store, and Walmart. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '176410929431717'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link

[januishstory]

Fenestraria rhopalophylla With their small, upright, club-shaped leaves, baby toes (Fenestraria rhopalophylla) are among the cutest succulents out there. They feature essentially stemless, green to grayish green, club-shaped leaves that grow vertically, reaching about two inches tall, with a spread of eight inches or more as they produce offsets. The tips of the leaves feature translucent windows, adding to their unusual appearance. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. This species is native to Namibia and South Africa, where it grows in dry coastal deserts where there is plenty of fog and strong winds, and sandy, gravely soils. To protect themselves from windy conditions and intense sunlight the leaves remain mostly buried in soil with only the translucent tips showing, which look like small pebbles. Also known as window plant, this species is a member of the fig marigold or Aizoaceae family, which includes relatives such as lithops, tiger jaws (Faucaria spp.), split rock (Pleiospilos nelii), concrete leaf plant (Titanopsis), and ice plant (Delosperma lehmannii). A worthy addition to any succulent collection, these cute little plants are pretty easy to grow when you provide the right conditions. Ready to learn more? Here’s what I’ll cover: Many of the members of this family are referred to as mesembs or “mimicry plants” as they typically resemble stones or gravel, allowing them to blend in with their natural surroundings. This is the only species in the Fenestraria genus. The transparent tops of the leaves are flat or rounded, and serve as windows, allowing light to enter and perform photosynthesis inside the leaf. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. These are also known as epidermal windows or fenestrations. Other succulent plants that have leaf windows like this include some haworthias, lithops, and some types of peperomias, like ruby glow (Peperomia graveolens). Quick Look Common name(s): Baby toes Plant type: Evergreen succulent Hardiness (USDA Zone): 9b-13b (outdoors) Native to: Namibia, South Africa Bloom time / season: Autumn to spring Exposure: Full sun with protection from heat Soil type: Cactus and succulent mix with extra grit Soil pH: 6.0-7.0, slightly acidic to neutral Time to maturity: 2-5 years Mature size: 8 inches wide x 2 inches high Best uses: Ground cover, houseplant, specimen plant, succulent fairy gardens, succulent planter Taxonomy Order: Caryophyllales Family: Aizoaceae Genus: Fenestraria Species: Rhopalophylla When baby toes are exposed to plenty of sunlight, they produce flowers, even indoors! The flowers usually appear from autumn to spring, and are one to two inches wide, appearing on short stems. These blooms are daisy-like, with white, yellow, or orangish yellow petals, and yellow centers. If the flowers are pollinated, a roundish seed capsule forms, and turns brown when seeds are mature. The seeds held within can be easily sown to propagate new specimens. If your succulent looks like a Fenestraria but has purple flowers, your plant is most likely a different species, Frithia pulchra. Known as fairy elephant’s feet or purple baby toes, F. pulchra looks very much like the subject of this article. But when viewed from the top down, fairy elephant’s feet has more or less heart shaped windows, while Fenestraria windows are a curved triangular shape, similar to a fingernail or toenail. Baby toes was previously classified as Mesembryanthemum rhopalophyllum and Fenestraria aurantiaca, and some nurseries may list the plants by these former names. Now let’s discuss how to keep these cute plants happy! How to Grow Baby toes succulents can be grown as houseplants and are a good choice for low succulent planters, with their shallow root systems and tendency to creep. They are also charming in succulent fairy gardens. Gardeners in USDA Hardiness Zones 9b to 13b can grow baby toes outdoors year round in containers or as a ground cover as long as you have excellent drainage and can provide protection from abundant rainfall. Light Baby toes will display the best growth and produce flowers if provided with at least four and preferably six or more hours of direct sunlight or the equivalent from a grow light per day. But if you’ve just brought yours home from the nursery, rather than situating it in blazing sun immediately, acclimate it gradually. In summer, reduce direct sun exposure to early morning and later in the day, providing light shade during the heat of the day. If you provide bright, indirect light, baby toes is less likely to flower than if it’s in direct sunlight. Soil Baby toes succulents need a growing medium that has a pH range of around 6.0 to 7.0, and is sandy or gravelly with plenty of mineral content, supplying excellent drainage. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. They need a grittier mix than the typical commercial cactus and succulent soil, so you may need to make your own! Aim for 20 to 25 percent organic matter and 75 to 80 percent mineral content. You can make your own mix by using three parts houseplant potting medium, made up of ingredients such as coconut coir, compost, biochar, horticultural charcoal, or pine fines. The other seven parts should be a mix of gritty mineral ingredients, such as sand, gravel, and pumice. One of my favorite potting mix products is Rosy Soil’s Houseplant Mix, available for purchase in four- or eight-quart bags from the Rosy Soil store via Walmart. Rosy Soil Houseplant Mix Even though these plants grow with just their windows showing in their native range, don’t try this at home, as your conditions are likely more comfortable than those found in the wild, and burying the leaves too deep could lead to rotting. In cultivation you’ll have more success covering just the root ball and leaving the foliage above ground. Water In general, you’ll need to allow the growing medium to dry out completely between waterings. When the leaves feel very firm and are wrinkle-free, they are still well-hydrated, so they don’t necessarily need any water. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. If the leaves are starting to look wrinkled, that means they are using up their stored water supplies, and are ready for a drink! In spring and autumn water soon after the growing medium dries out. In winter and summer, allow the medium to dry and then wait for the leaves to just start to wrinkle as well. If you overwater it can cause the leaves to split open, so take care to always check the soil first. Temperature and Humidity Baby toes prefer a temperature range of between 65 to 85°F, but they can tolerate lows of 25°F provided the roots are kept dry. A humidity level of about 40 to 50 percent is ideal. Fertilizing Fertilize once a month during the growing season, using a gentle fertilizer formulated for cacti and succulents. Dr. Earth Succulence I like Dr. Earth’s Succulence Cactus and Succulent Food, available in a 16-ounce pump bottle from Arbico Organics. You can learn more about fertilizing succulents here. Repotting As they are slow growing, you won’t need to repot your baby toes very often. If the plant has outgrown its current container or is planted in the wrong type of growing medium, go ahead and repot immediately. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. Ideally you’ll do this in spring and not while the plant is blooming. These succulents don’t have deep tap roots, so you can choose a shallow pot that’s wide enough to allow the plant to spread horizontally. Make sure the new pot is just one size larger than the current container, and that it has drainage holes. Place a shallow layer of the potting medium in the bottom of the new pot. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. Unpot the plant from its existing pot and remove as much of the existing potting soil from around the roots. Place the bare root plant into the new pot, backfilling with soil until it reaches about half an inch from the rim. You can use some clean, sterilized rocks to help support the plant if it’s not standing up too well by itself. Wait a week before watering. Where to Buy It can be quite difficult to find nurseries selling these memsebs, so you may need to visit a store that specializes in succulents, either in person or online. In addition to the species plant, there are two subspecies and one cultivar: Aurantiaca Formerly considered a separate species, F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca is now considered a subspecies. F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca. These plants have yellow or orange flowers that are nearly three inches wide. Rhopalophylla F. rhopalophylla subsp. rhopalophylla produces white flowers that are two inches wide. It’s worth noting that when you purchase a Fenestraria, the seller likely won’t list to if it is one of the subspecies. Fireworth A cultivar of F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca, ‘Fireworth’ is distinguished by the orange tips of its otherwise yellow flower petals. Propagation Would you like to try propagating your own baby toes succulents? You have a few options. Let’s start with growing from seed! From Seed For this propagation project you’ll need a seed starting tray or nursery pots, growing medium, and of course, seeds. If you don’t have access to a homegrown supply of Fenestraria seeds, you can purchase packets of 30 seeds from the Cz Grain Store via Amazon. Baby Toes Seeds You can sow a large batch of these tiny seeds in a seed starting tray, or use three-inch square nursery pots. You can sow around 15 seeds per three-inch pot. Fill the pots or trays with moist growing medium, leaving about a half an inch of a gap between the surface of the medium and the rim of the container. Sprinkle the tiny seeds on the surface of the growing medium and don’t cover them with soil. Place a humidity dome over the pots or trays. Alternatively, you can place the pots or trays inside transparent, sealable plastic bags, or clear plastic bins. Set them in a spot where they will be exposed to bright, indirect light and where they will stay warm – around 77°F during the day – using a heat mat if necessary. Keep the growing medium moist but not soggy, using the bottom watering method or a spray bottle with a gentle mist. It can take up to a month for the seeds to germinate, but you may see the first seedlings pop up within a week. Keep the seedlings in high humidity for the first one to two months, then start to acclimate them by gradually removing the humidity dome. After acclimating the seedlings to less humid conditions, gradually increase exposure to direct sunlight, but make sure to keep up with watering. Allow the seedlings to mature in the same container for a year before transplanting. Our guide to growing succulents from seed has more information. From Offsets The best time to propagate offsets is in the spring when the plants are actively growing. Examine the stems right above the soil level – offsets will look like separate plants. Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin. Gently remove an offset along with its roots by breaking or cutting it away from the mother plant, along with its roots. If using scissors, make sure they are clean and sterilized. Allow the offset to callus over for a few days by setting it in a dry location out of direct sunlight. Once the offset has had a few days to callus, prepare two- to three-inch pots or trays by filling them with growing medium to within about half an inch of the rim. Poke a hole in the medium, then insert the offset’s roots. If the offset is floppy, you can add some rocks around it to help keep it propped up. Keep the new plants at a temperature of approximately 68°F, to encourage root establishment, and wait a week before watering. Learn more about propagating succulents from offsets here. Managing Pests and Disease Baby toes succulents are not particularly prone to problems with pests or disease. Outdoors, slugs and snails may come to visit, and indoors, keep an eye out for scale insects, spider mites, and mealybugs. When you bring a new plant home from the store, be sure to inspect it for signs of pests. In addition, take it out of its pot and check the roots for root mealies. Root mealies feed on roots. They look like grains of rice and can be hard to distinguish from bits of perlite. The main disease you should be concerned with in these plants is rot – and this is primarily caused by overly moist growing medium. Our guide to dealing with rot in succulents can help you out. Don’t Put Her in the Corner Nobody puts baby in the corner, and you shouldn’t leave baby toes succulents there either – unless it’s a corner with bright, sunny windows! Whether your succulent goes in a well-lit corner or not, she actually won’t mind if you neglect her somewhat. Remember to allow her well-draining growing medium to dry out between waterings and provide at least four hours of direct sunlight, preferably more! Are you growing baby toes succulents? Let us know in the comments section below! Would you like to learn more about growing succulents? We have more reading for you right here: Photos by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Product photos via Arbico Organics, Cz Grain Store, and Walmart. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '176410929431717'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link

[wallpapernifty]

23 Ways Yellow Ice Plant Can Improve Your Business | Yellow Ice Plant

Animal behaviour

12 June 2020

Bowhead bang banal has survived by wintering beneath the Arctic ice.

A cold-loving ocean behemothic alleged the Spitsbergen’s bowhead bang had been bolter about to afterlife by the 1990s. The whales’ songs were afresh detected in the amnion east of Greenland, but scientists knew little about the endangered animals’ habits.

Kit Kovacs at the Norwegian Polar Institute in Tromsø and her aggregation approved adamantine abstracts about these ambiguous whales, which accord to the Spitsbergen banal of bowheads (Balaena mysticetus), called for an island in the Arctic Circle. Riding in a helicopter accomplished from an icebreaker, the advisers attempt transmitter tags into the blab of 13 Spitsbergen’s bowheads.

The animals’ paths appearance that, adverse to added bowheads’ habits, Spitsbergen’s bowheads adventure south in summer and arctic in winter. As a result, the whales absorb the winter in deep, algid seas about absolutely covered in ice, generally added than 100 kilometres from ample stretches of accessible water, relying on a few cracks in the ice to breathe.

The authors advance that whalers alone whales that frequented balmier winter seas. The courage of the ice adequate the able whales that wintered further north. Now their birth are multiplying, and bushing the abysmal with their songs.

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[ruthbancroftgarden]

Mestoklema tuberosum hybrid

This plant is a volunteer seedling that came up in one of the beds at the Ruth Bancroft Garden alongside Mestoklema tuberosum. The Mestoklema is a taller plant with prominent peely-barked roots at its base and salmon-orange flowers, while the seedlings are shorter sub-shrubs with yellow flowers (showing just a bit of an orange tint). It seems that the Mestoklema must have hybridized with another plant we received as Delosperma brunnthaleri - but it does not match the description of that species (our plant has light yellow flowers, not the purplish-pink listed for D. brunnthaleri). Perhaps not the most stunning thing in our garden, but it is always interesting to have unexpected hybrids come up. Mestoklema and Delosperma both belong to the Aizoaceae, or Ice Plant Family.

-Brian

[wealthypioneers]

Iceplant Flower Mix Seeds Organic, Non-GMO B50 Annual Mixed Dorotheanthus bellidiformis Ice Plant Looking for a unique addition to your garden or meadow this year? This annual Ice Plant mixture is the perfect choice! Vibrant colors of orange, pink, purple, red and yellow liven up the summer garden and this succulent is easy to grow, needing full sun and well-draining soil. Mixed Annual Ice plant, also known as Livingstone Daisy or Mesembryanthemum, is a low-growing succulent with daisy-like flowers. The mixture is composed of vibrant shades of orange, pink, purple, red, white and yellow. It makes an excellent groundcover, creates colorful borders and works well in containers. Annual Iceplant needs sunny locations and well-draining soils. Count: 50 seeds Ice Plant is the bright-flowered groundcover so common and loved on the West Coast, but hardly known at all in the east. It’s a succulent, a lot like a short Sedum, but the flowers are the big thing--look at those sizzling hot pink daisies. Everybody loves them, and the plant spreads rapidly with trailing runners. Why are these plants so popular out west? Visit the Pacific coast, all the way from San Diego up to Seattle, and you'll see these little bright daisies everywhere--edging walks, filling planters, and adding great color under foundation plantings. Why don't we see them more in the east? See the story below, and get some going in your garden! Pick a site with full sun and gritty, sharp-draining soil, and add them to your garden. You'll be amazed at the big show! The Ice Plant story. Garden expert Todd Boland, a horticulturalist at The College of the North Atlantic, in Newfoundland, explains it all in one of his articles at DavesGarden.com. (Link below.) It seems a famous garden expert named Panayoti Kelaidis of the Denver Botanical Garden is almost single-handedly responsible for introducing these beauties to the US. They are from South Africa, and Mr. Kelaidis traveled there to find new plants suitable for growing in the dry, gritty soils of our western states. The Delospermas he introduced are now great favorites, especially in California. But as Mr. Boland points out, there's no reason eastern and mid-western gardeners cant enjoy Ice Plants. Mr. Boland actually brings D. cooperi, one of the most cold-hardy, through his wet cold winters in Newfoundland, so don't worry about the plants hardiness! Sowing: Direct sow seeds in late fall, pressing them lightly into the surface of the soil since they need light to germinate. For spring planting, mix the seeds with moist sand and store in the refrigerator for 30-60 days before planting; keep the soil moist until germination, which usually takes place within 14-21 days. This seed can also be started indoors 6-8 weeks before planting in the spring; transplant the seedlings outdoors after the last chance of frost. Growing: Water seedlings until they become established, but do not overwater. Mature plants tolerate drought well and make an excellent choice for dry slopes, rock gardens, or other dry and sunny locations. These plants may reseed themselves in favorable growing conditions. Harvesting: For cut flowers, choose stems with flowers that have just opened. Strip the foliage that will fall below the water level, and place in water immediately. http://springsofeden.myshopify.com/products/iceplant-flower-mix-seeds-organic-non-gmo-b50

[gardenxpdotcom]

15 Best Drought Tolerant Plants that can handle Driest Weather Conditions

Are you also searching for some Drought Tolerant Plants for your garden? Then this is the correct article for you. Here we will be discussing some of the best Drought Tolerant Plants and a few details about them.

Best Drought Tolerant Plants

Agave - Common species: Agave americana - Other names: Century plant  - Mostly found in the arid zone having tropical conditions - Hardy zone: 9-10 - Roots are rhizomatous which helps them absorb water pretty well at drop-level - Leaves can store the maximum amount of water that a plant needs to survive. Leaves are sharp from the margin and have spiky spines - Rarely, do they show flowers if the conditions force them to? Bougainvillea

- Family: Four o'clock (Nyctaginaceae) - Have Showy flowers - Perfect ornamental vines or bushes - Height can reach from 1 to 12 meters. Bougainvillea has sharp turns that help them cling to others. - Usda hardy zone- 9 to 10 - Perfect drought-tolerant plants bloom and shine in bright sunlight. Need well-drained soil. - Flowers come in beautiful shades like peach, red, people, and pink. Coneflower - Varieties of colors available - Do well with almost all soil types, should have proper drainage  - Usda hardy zones: 4-9 - Have the ability to come back every year as they get dormant in the winter season - Coneflowers need full sun and can survive without water as well Desert rose - Scientific name: Adenium obesum - Common name: Saby star, impala lily - Grows well in bright full sunlight  - USDA hardy zone: 11 to 12  - The flowers are tubular in the shade of red or pink with a whitish portion on the inner side of the petals - Popular houseplants but can also be poisonous  Euphorbia - Common name: Spurge - Known for aesthetic appearance - Available in woody shrubs, herbs, and trees. They love the sunny position. They are annual, biennial, or perennial - Flowers are tiny and available in various colors and shapes. Sometimes the flowers appear clustering looking like one big flower.  - They usually have a false flower, as they do not properly have petals or sepals. Sometimes they do attract some pollinators or insects. For more such plant related-articles, you may also read, 17 Easy Flowering Plants For Pots Fountain grass - Scientific name: Pennisetum setaceum - Genus: Pennisetum - Usda hardy zone: 5 through 10 - A beautiful ornamental grass that looks like a fountain forming clumps of thin elongated stems like spikes having flowers at the end - annual  and perennial  - The plant is versatile and drought resistant - Have shades like purple or red  Geranium - Botanical name: Pelargonium  - Common name: Cranesbills - Hardy zone:  - Can survive high degrees of temperature, and low rainfall - Have medicinal benefits too, its oil is used for skin treatment - Plant release soothing aroma - Bloom beautiful flowers perfect for bordering as well, they are the gardener’s personal favorite  Harebell - Botanical name: Campanula rotundifolia - Common name: Bluebell - Hardy zone:  - Flowers are bell-like that are arranged in clumps and are faced downwards - Leaves of harebell are often used in salads as a dosage of vitamin c  - Thrive in good sunlight, are perennial Ice plant - Scientific name: Delosperma cooperi - Hardy zone: 5 to 9 - Known for the minute hairs present on the plant that shine in bright light like ice’s edgy crystals - They are hardy plants that yield beautiful daisy-like flowers in various shades of purple, pink or yellow - They're known to form beautiful groundcovers as well Jade plant - Scientific name: Crassula ovata - Common name: money tree, money pant, lucky plant - USDA hardy zone: 10 to 11 - This succulent plant thrives best in daylight that is bright and too hot. - They are awesome gifts so they look like beautiful tiny trees.  - They serve to be a perfect indoor plant Lavender - Scientific name: Lavandula spp. - USDA hardy zone: 5 t 8 - Lavender is originated in the Mediterranean region and middle east, which clearly shows how much they love sunlight and heat - The beautiful purple fragrant spikes glaze in this sunny location Rosemary

- Scientific name: Salvia rosmarinus - Common name: Compass weed, polar plant - USDA hardy zone: 6 to 10 - This perennial herb has needle-like leaves with white, pink, purple, and blue flowers - Have an addictive fragrance and is used for culinary purposes, perfumes, etc - Thrive well in full sunlight and loamy, sandy, and well-drained soil Verbena

- Another name: Vervain  - Family: Verbenaceae - USDA Hardy zone: 9 to 11 - The verbena plants are heat tolerant and bloom beautiful summer flowers - Annual or perennial flowers bloom for a long period - Soil should be well-drained Yucca - Other names: Cassava  - Family: Asparagaceae - USDA hardy zone: 5 to 10 - They live in severe heat, drought-like conditions - Yucca can be used in food as well, having many health benefits. The leaves are sword-like and look like asparagus - The flowers appear on yucca at a particular age, the bloom is pretty and on long spikes clustered longitudinally Zinnia - Scientific name: Zinnia spp.  - Other name: common zinnia, elegant zinnia - USDA Hardy zone: 9 to 11 - The flowers appear at the end of springtime. The flowers are showy and super elegant looking. They attract a lot of useful pollinators to the garden - This annual plant is easy to grow and thrives well in sunlight but partial shade is also needed in the afternoon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z-8fD75OA0

FAQ:

What is the most drought tolerant plant? Catmint, Russian sage, salvia, and California poppy are some of the plants that are drought tolerant. They can survive well for many days even without water. What plants need the least amount of water?  Snake plants, ZZ plants, Sago palm, and Aglaonema are some of the plants that need less water and are also known as the best houseplants. Which plant likes the hot afternoon sun? The species of genus Calibrachoa and Aloe are known to like the hot afternoon sun. If planted in the pot you still don't need to move them as they will still thrive in noon hot sunlight. They are also good to grow in the ground and easy to maintain and care for. Read the full article

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Hot & Dry Doesn’t Mean Blah Gardens

Temperatures are soaring and the rain cloud spigot is on hold except for spotty showers this week. Undaunted native Turk’s caps, including ‘Pam’s Pink’, continue courting fleeting hummingbirds in my East Austin garden.

Colorado was a bit cooler when I visited in June for the Garden Bloggers Fling, but water conservation rules. I met familiar Texas plants along with “waterwise” avenue designs that cross state lines on the habitat highway, like this one at Denver Botanic Gardens’ Chatfield Farms.

Excellent design concepts for borders.

It doesn’t matter if we can’t grow some of these; we’ve all got options to replicate the design concept that varies our view and pollinator habitat.

Here’s an example of a reflective heat driveway neighbor strip at Carol and Randy Shinn’s garden in Fort Collins. They mingle short and tall, including bee-loved red and purple penstemons. That gently screening shrubby white is Apache Plume (Fallugia paradoxa).

Apache Plume makes it into the Trans-Pecos and western Edwards Plateau in Texas, according to Mary Irish in her essential book Trees and Shrubs for the Southwest: Woody Plants for Arid Gardens. Bees find it wherever it grows.

Pair it with desert beardtongue penstemon (Penstemon pseudospectabilis) like at The Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins and you’ve got a pollinator feast. Again, all of us have shrubs and perennials that do the same valuable job.

Here’s one that we can grow in Central Texas: ‘May Night’ meadow sage (Salvia sylvestris ‘May Night’)—that deep purple in the foreground of Mary and Larry Scripter’s front porch in Niwot.

And here’s Salvia sylvestris ‘Blue Hill’ at a Georgetown, Texas front porch, home to Lori and Jack Shreves.

You know that I love bearded irises for their evergreen non-pokey structure and unfussy attitude about drought, rain bombs and freezes. Again at the Shinn’s beautifully-layered front yard, even our (fun) Fling bus driver had to grab a shot. I bet the Shinns have as many precious pass-along stories as I do.

Bearded irises of all colors were everywhere, here with dianthus, I think.

In Mary and Larry Scripter’s island bed, variegated iris joins low-growing leafy ajuga, yucca and grasses.

Chatfield Farms rounds up a wide variety in their geometric demonstration test gardens.

Others cluster in borders along the vegetable garden fence.

At Denver Botanic Gardens, bearded irises soften cloudless skies against gravel walkways to a destination bench cove.

And yes, I saw ‘Denver Gold’ columbine everywhere, one that I often find in local nurseries. For me, humidity, heavier soil, and rain bombs shorten its life span.

Succulent ice plants, including Portulaca, Aptenia, and Delosperma, are so easy to grow in hot, dry times. My Aptenia even makes it through winter.

At Denver Botanic Gardens, this eye-popping hot pink (literally hot!) Delosperma stopped Sunday crowds in their tracks. Golden-yellow Stomatium loganii nestled against it. In Texas, a native yellow 4-nerve daisy (Tetraneuris scaposa) would substitute in well-drained spots.

Here’s another familiar one that’s a fave in Texas gardens: native coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), though ours bloom in spring.

Climbing up the patio support (and apparently across the top), what a great way to bring hummingbirds up close and provide a little shade.

In the border plants, a sphinx moth nectars on Jupiter’s Beard or red Valerian (Centranthus ruber). Although drought tough and butterfly-loved, it’s considered invasive/aggressive in California, Washington, and Oregon.

It wouldn’t work in my garden, but Turk’s caps along my patio do the same trick.

California horticulturist and designer Nan Sterman knows that water thrifty gardens don’t have to be blah and deplete of wildlife.

Author of Hot Color, Dry Garden, and host of A Growing Passion on PBS, this week she pulls together eye-popping designs with plants, architecture, furniture and accents.

Watch now!

And thanks for stopping by! See you next week, Linda

Hot & Dry Doesn’t Mean Blah Gardens syndicated from https://yeuhoavn.wordpress.com/