Gibbaeum velutinum - 20 seeds
Gibbaeum velutinum - 20 seeds
Gibbaeum velutinum familiar under the name Mentocalyx velutina is a slow growing species spreading into grey-green carpets. It is rather variable in its leaf shape and size ranging from plants with long and narrow leaves to plants with short and thick leaves. Gibbaeum velutinum resembles a small Glottiphyllum in its growth of fleshy leaves and flowers of either pink or pale magenta, white flowered plants are known only from cultivation as Gibbaeum schwantesii.
It is a "winter" grower which is most active from autumn and winter and require adequate water and heading for summer dormancy, but it is easy in cultivation and keeps going over the summer too and don’t need particular care. Soil: It grows best in sandy-gritty soil and requires good drainage as it is prone to root rot. It can grows outdoor in sunny, dry, rock crevices (protection against winter wet is required) It can also be cultivated in alpine house, in poor, drained soil. Fertilization: Feed it once during the growing season with a fertilizer specifically formulated for cactus and succulents (poor in nitrogen), including all micro nutrients and trace elements diluted to ½ the strength recommended on the label. It thrives in poor soils and need a limited supplies of fertilizer to avoid the plants developing excess vegetation, which is easily attacked by fungal diseases. Watering: The Gibbaeums thrive in dry and desert regions and are able to stand extended periods of drought and require careful watering. Water minimally in summer, only when the plant starts shrivelling, water more abundantly when they are growing in the autumn and spring, but let the soil dry between soaking. Requires little water otherwise its epidermis breaks (resulting in unsightly scars). If grown in a container, bottom watering by immersing the container is recommended. It must have very dry atmosphere. Light: It needs a bright sunny or light shade exposure in winter, but keep cool and shaded in summer. Hardiness: It prefer a very bright situation and require a minimum temperature 5°C (But will take a light frost and is hardy down to -7° C for short periods if it is in dry soil). USDA zones 9A – 11. Uses: Container, rock garden. Pests and diseases: It is vulnerable to mealybugs and rarely scale. Propagation: Seed in autumn or (or rarely) cuttings. Take the cutting from a grown-up mother plant. Each cutting must contain one or more heads along with a fraction of root and permit to dry out a couple of days, lay it on the soil and insert the stem end partially into the soil. Try to keep the cutting somewhat upright so that the roots are able to grow downward.