Aloinopsis setifera - 20 seeds
Aloinopsis setifera - 20 seeds
They are easy and rewarding plants than can be grown in pots or in the rock-garden. They will grow in the cooler parts of the year, and flower in winter if they gets good light (direct sunlight is essential to bloom well).
Soil: Can be cultivated in the ground (in warm climate) or in a container. The soil should preferably be a very porous potting mix to increase drainage.
Pots: They need small but deep pots to accommodate their tap roots and provide a very good drainage. They can be kept for years in a 7x7 cm pot, and should be repotted only every 2-3 years.
Watering: They come from winter rainfall areas but in cultivation, they can be watered year-round. It is probably dormant in summer, so it is usually recommended not to water much in summer and also reduce watering frequency in winter, but it is a very adaptable species that can grows opportunistically whenever the water availability and growing condition are favourable. Water it less than average if in bigger pots.
Fertilization: Feed them once during the growing season with a fertilizer specifically formulated for cactus and succulents (high potash fertilizer with a dilute low nitrogen), including all micro nutrients and trace elements diluted to ½ the strength recommended on the label. They thrive in poor soils and need a limited supplies of fertilizer to avoid the plants developing excess vegetation, which is easily attacked by fungal diseases.
Exposure: Keep them cool, and half-shaded in summer, need full sun or light shade on the other seasons. They become stressed with inadequate light which could result in poor growth and unnatural shape. It is also perfect for a bright windowsill.
Frost Tolerance: In cultivation they likes warmth (recommended minimum winter temperature 5° C) however plants kept perfectly dry are quite frost hardy (it is reported to be hardy to at least -12° C if very dry). Outdoors they grow best where there are cold winters, but for safe cultivation it is best to avoid freezing temperatures.