To the genus Stapelia can be attributed almost a hundred plants, which belong to the family of the finest. The Stapelia spread in South Africa, but there are also some species in the east of Africa. All plants of this genus are succulents, perennial and undersized.
Stapelia has fleshy shoots with four facets, leaves do not have, often forms processes at the base. Most often, the flowers grow at the base of the shoots, but also on the top; are located on long pedicels one or more pieces, the color is dull-colored, they have pubescence. The calyx consists of 5 leaves, pointed to the tip; corolla broadly-columned or rounded, with petals, which are cut in half of their length, their shape is triangular, the apices are sharp. Petals are fleshy, have color, meet pubescent and glabrous. The crown has a fleshy circle. The outer corolla has five free petals, rectangular or lanceolate; the petals of the crown are located near the anthers, along the length are short, structured or simple, or dissected.
Indoor flowers of the stapel have a high decorative value, while they are easy to care for. Her flowers are very original and have a nice appearance, but there is a small nuance - it's their smell. The aroma of flowers is specific and unpleasant, it attracts flies. However, despite this, the plant is very popular among florists for growing in apartments.
Care of the plant
Lighting. Stapelias, like most other plants, require bright and diffuse light. However, the Stapelia can carry the sun directed at it during the autumn-winter period; In the summer period, sunburn may appear in the sun, especially during the hottest hours.
The best place to grow is the western or eastern side. In the summer season, the plant should be closed from direct sun, you can use a translucent fabric or paper, for example, gauze or tracing paper. If the plant is only bought in the store, i.e. most likely, stood in the shade, and also after wintering, it is impossible to expose to the sun, it must be accustomed gradually, otherwise the plant can get burned.
In the summer, fresh air exerts a favorable effect on the plant, and the plant is tempered in the fresh air, so it would be good to take it out to the balcony or garden at that time. In the hottest hours, of course, the plant must be closed from the sun. In autumn and winter, the stapelia tolerates the sun's rays well, so no shading is required.
Temperature regime. Temperature regime from spring and all warm time is moderate or warm - + 22-26ะก. Since September, the temperature should be lowered, it should be about + 15C, thus the plant is prepared for the winter period - the rest period. In winter, the temperature is reduced by another 1-2 degrees, but do not fall below + 12C.
Watering. From the beginning of spring to October, the stapel is watered sparingly, after the top layer of soil has dried up; further watering is reduced, bringing to winter to a minimum, but not allowing the wrinkling of shoots. If the plant completely stops watering, then the stems begin to wrinkle, the plant itself loses its force and enters the vegetative period. Also, when watering, attention should be paid to the temperature of the content: the higher the wintering temperature, the more often it is necessary to water the plant.
Air humidity. As for humidity, but this is not an essential condition for growing. The plant is quite comfortable with dry air.
Top dressing. Stapel flowers are fed in summer, suitable fertilizers that are prepared for cacti or succulent plants; dosage is standard, as indicated on the package. In winter and autumn these indoor flowers do not require additional feeding. For this genus, it is very important to have a potassium supplement; thanks to the presence of this substance, it develops resistance to disease.
Transfer. Transplanted young plants every year in spring, and adult specimens less often - every two to three years. If the adult plants are transplanted, then the old shoots that are in the center are removed, but they will not blossom anyway. The substrate for the staple must be strongly sanded with neutral or weak acidity. Such a substrate will be a mixture of turf and coarse sand, two and one part, respectively. It is possible to use a ready-made substrate from the store, which is suitable for cactus, but there it is desirable to add pieces of coal and sand. Suitable pots will be almost flat, since the root system is small. Drainage is an indispensable element, it is placed on the bottom of the pot on a third of the tank. After transplanting, the plant should not be watered for 5-7 days, otherwise the roots may begin to rot.
Reproduction. Stapelia - flowers that reproduce by seeds or cuttings.
If we talk about seeds, then they are tied well at the stapes, but they have a slow maturation, almost a year. Seeds must be sown in flat pots in sandy soil.
Germinate the seeds for a month. Seedlings are planted in small pots after picking. The earth needs to be prepared in the following composition: one part of the turf ground, two parts of the leaf, add coarse-grained sand - 1 part, as well as charcoal and lime one tenth.
A year later, young plants should be transferred to pots a little more, the composition of the land to remain the same. These plants, which grow from seeds, may differ from the parent plant, since the stapel has a tendency to cross.
If you want to transplant cuttings, then they are cut from old shoots. Before planting, they wilted, and only then planted in the ground. The substrate must be composed of a mixture of coarse sand and peat chips. The roots of the cuttings appear quickly, immediately after that they are planted in pots with a diameter of 7 cm. The earth mixture is prepared as well as for the seedlings.
Possible difficulties
- If the summer is not covered in hot weather from the sun, then the plant may appear stains or burns, especially if the plant has recently stood in the shade or wintered.
- If you water the pile too much, especially in winter, the stems become lethargic, they fade and rot.
- If the plant does not have enough nutrients or if the plant does not have enough light, the stems are stretched and become thin, and the plant itself does not bloom.
- Damage to the plant can rot.