[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Cultivation & Propagation of the Genus Cheiridopsis
Sowing 'n Growing

Cultivation:

A great genus for greenhouse cultivation.  Plants flower freely in warm climes.

Watering:  Winter watering regime, commence watering from Autumn.  Water should be withheld during the hot summer months.  Over-watering can cause the leave to burst and/or cause rot.

Fertilizer:  Use a well balanced fertilizer, 2:2:2.  Feed plants once a month.

Soil:  Well-drained sandy, mineral rich soil.

Light:  A bright spot suits these plants best but protect plants from sudden increases in temperature.

Temperature:  Protect from frost.
 

Propagation:

Extremely easy genus to cultivate from seed or cutting.

Seed propagation

Sow seeds from early autumn to late autumn in 12.5cm or even 10cm pots.  Seeds can be sown directly on top of the soil, it's not necessary to cover the seeds with a layer of soil.  After sowing the seeds directly onto the soil, wet the soil using a fine spray.  Cover the pot with clear plastic (I use clingwrap) and fasten it with an elastic band.

Pots should be put in a shaded (40% shade-cloth) spot.  Seeds should start germinating after a couple of days.  Remove the plastic a few days after the seeds have started germinating, if left on to long rot will kill off the seedlings.

The first year the seedlings can be watered frequently, approximately every 2-4 days (if your soil stays moist longer than that water your plants less).  At every watering use a well balanced fertilizer (a quarter of the recommended amount for ornamental plants or seedlings).

After the first year seedlings should be big enough to separate and be planted into their own pots (Cheiridopsis peculiaris may take longer to reach maturity).  Once plants have been placed into their individual pots they can be gradually introduced into stronger and eventually full sunlight. 

Most plants will flower within 2 to 3 years.

Soil

4 parts washed riversand
4 parts sand (not extremely fine)
1 part well sieved compost

Sterilize sand in an oven or microwave oven.

Vegetative Propagation:

Adult plants can be split up.  Use a clean sharp knife to separate the leaf pair from other leaf pairs, make sure part of the stem is present on all cuttings.  Allow wounds to callus.

Cuttings can then be placed in a well draining medium.  Spray the cuttings with every other day, roots should appear within a few weeks.  A rooting hormone can also be used to stimulate root growth.

/ Antegibbeaum / Cheiridopsis / Conophytums / Dinteranthus / Fenestria / Gibbeaum / Hammeria / Lithops / Pleiospilos /