Stapelia kwebensis is an evergreen,compact, erect, clump-forming succulent perennial, up to 15 cm. Stems 4-angled or 4-ribbed, tapering at the apex, more or less erect, pubescent, grey-green with tuberculate teeth along the angles. Leaves up to 7 mm, pubescent, narrowly acute with conspicuous pale stipular glands. Flowers subsessile, facing outwards along the stems. Corolla wheel-shaped, or with lobes somewhat reflexed, 15-35 mm in diameter, variably pubescent on the outside and on the apical part of the lobes, otherwise mostly hairless. Lobes ovate-acuminate, convex to slightly reflexed, wrinkled transversely, yellow-brown to dark brown, sometimes tinged greenish. Corona raised inside the shallowly cup-shaped centre of the flower; outer lobes oblong; inner lobes shorter than the anthers.
How to Grow and Care
Several species are fairly easy to grow. Others, often those with slightly hairy stems and the more unusual flowers, are more challenging and require careful watering (with some fertiliser) during the growing season and complete withdrawal of water during the winter months. A minimum winter temperature of 50°F is acceptable, providing that plants are kept absolutely dry. A heated growing bench or incubator may help delicate plants to get throught the colder months. Many species live under shrubs in habitat and prefer light shade rather than full sun.
A gritty compost is essential, and clay pots are advisable for the more delicate species. Some growers prefer a mineral-only compost to minimise the chance of fungal attack on the roots. A layer of grit on the surface of the compost prevents moisture from accumulating around the base of the stems.
Origin: Stapelia kwebensis native to Southern Africa - Namibia, Botswana, southern Zimbabwe, northern S. Africa.
Keeping Stapelias and their roots free of pests such as mealy bugs is the real key to success as fungal attack often occurs as a result of damage to stems by insects. Watering with a good systemic insecticide such as those based on imidachloprid should help to keep plants healthy.
- ALSO READ some more info HOW TO GROW AND CARE STAPELIA
- Scientific name: Stapelia kwebensis N.E.Br.
- Common names: ??
- Synonyms: Gonostemon kwebensis, Gonostemon longipedicellatus, Stapelia longipedicellata
- Family: Apocynaceae
- Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae
- Tribe: Stapeliae
- Genus: Stapelia
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| source pic: agaveville.org |
How to Grow and Care
Several species are fairly easy to grow. Others, often those with slightly hairy stems and the more unusual flowers, are more challenging and require careful watering (with some fertiliser) during the growing season and complete withdrawal of water during the winter months. A minimum winter temperature of 50°F is acceptable, providing that plants are kept absolutely dry. A heated growing bench or incubator may help delicate plants to get throught the colder months. Many species live under shrubs in habitat and prefer light shade rather than full sun.
A gritty compost is essential, and clay pots are advisable for the more delicate species. Some growers prefer a mineral-only compost to minimise the chance of fungal attack on the roots. A layer of grit on the surface of the compost prevents moisture from accumulating around the base of the stems.
Origin: Stapelia kwebensis native to Southern Africa - Namibia, Botswana, southern Zimbabwe, northern S. Africa.
Keeping Stapelias and their roots free of pests such as mealy bugs is the real key to success as fungal attack often occurs as a result of damage to stems by insects. Watering with a good systemic insecticide such as those based on imidachloprid should help to keep plants healthy.
- ALSO READ some more info HOW TO GROW AND CARE STAPELIA
