Home»Cactus - Succulents»Stapelia
TheHuernia plant(life saver plant ) is one of the most unusual groups of succulents . The Huernia cactus raise alien - looking five - lob prime .
The genus Huernia let in about 45 mintage of plants and is closely touch to theStapelia plantgenus .
As with the Stapeliads , the flowers of “ Huernia Stapelia ” plants grow unpleasant odour .
as luck would have it , the smell does not carry .
These plants are found throughout Southern Africa ’s and the Mediterranean ’s arid region .
Huernia , pronounced [ hew - ERN - ee - uh ] , is named after Justin Heurnius , a Dutch missionary who call for works from South Africa in the 1600s . The genus is a misspelling of his name .
Similar to most succulents , Huernias are soft lush plants to worry for if you avoid overwatering and follow a few basic plant care suggestions .
Huernia Plant Care
Size and Growth
Most succulent Huernia varieties likeHuernia zebrinaare low - growing plant . The Cucumis sativus - alike stems rarely grow more than four to five in .
They also tend to spring up outward before lightly curve up toward the sky .
The thick succulent halt are ribbed and covered in small tooth .
Flowering and Fragrance
The flowers appear from balloon - like buds and sport five lobes . In some varieties , the inwardness of each flower resemble a small sinker .
The large blossom are attractive , but they also bring forth a rotten smell throughout the flowering season , which lasts between July and September .
While the bloom have an unpleasant smell , the odour does n’t spread easily . You typically ask to get really close to the flowers to detect the odor .
Light and Temperature
In the summertime , these plants enjoy bright light and full sun .
The plant come from the arid regions of South Africa and the Mediterranean and is used to quick temperatures and ironic air .
For outdoor growth in full sun , most species of this genus are urge for USDA hardiness zone 10 .
In cool areas , the plant is often kept indoors year - round . It grow well at regular elbow room temperature .
Ensure temperature do n’t expend below 55 ° degrees Fahrenheit during the winter .
Watering and Feeding
Throughout the summertime , water this succulent flora pretty .
As with most succulents , the plant can make it short drought as it stash away H2O in its thick leaves .
The more sunlight or full sunshine the works receive , the more water it may involve .
If the leaves start to collapse , it likely needs extra water .
In the wintertime , water slenderly to avoid overwatering .
Fertilizer is n’t necessary if the plant life is repot in fresh soil at the commencement of spring . add together some blood meal and pearl meal to the tonic soil .
Soil and Transplanting
Use acactus potting soilwith added pumice stone for all varieties of Huernia .
As a small plant , it does n’t need a very large pot , induce it easier to transplant at the start of spring .
The plant life should be repot at the beginning of the spring growing season each year .
If potential , prefer a shallow dish as the Huernia succulent plants have shallow roots that mostly grow obliquely .
Grooming and Maintenance
Grooming is only needed in the spring when repotting the plant .
Remove the oldest stem from the works to encourage new maturation . This should help the flora last many years .
How to Propagate Huernia Cactus
The easiest path to circularize Huernia is with stem cutting , which can also be sown by come .
To practice stem cuttings , do the following :
To garner seeds , wait until the flowers start to dry out out . make out one or more flowers at the stalking and give up to dry out thoroughly .
After dry out , gather the seeds and sow in moist peat moss at the start of outflow . A thin bed of the grunge should cover the seeds .
The seeds sprout speedily , often sprout within a calendar week .
Lifesaver Plants Pests or Disease Problems
There are several issues to count when cultivating potpourri of Huernia works .
The next issue to worry about is the presence of fly .
Pay attention to house of mealy germ . They often attack the origin and stems .
attempt to take away the pests with a cotton swab dipped in inebriant . If this does n’t work , do by the plague with insecticide .
Suggested Huernia Uses
These attractive plant look great on their own or grouped with other succulent in a wide container .
When imbed with other succulent , remember to give Huernia plant plenty of space as the stems and roots turn sidewise .
