Cheiridopsis PURPUREA

Cheiridopsis PURPUREA - Purple Cheiridopsis, Cheiridopsis purpurea.

'Living Stones' seed series.

Cheiridopsis is a genus of succulent plants in the Aizoaceae family, comprising about 40 species distributed in arid regions of Namibia and the Cape provinces of South Africa. In nature, representatives of the genus occur on sandy and rocky plains, dry slopes, in quartz and gravel habitats, often in winter-rainfall zones where growth is more active in the cool season and summer is spent in dormancy.

Plants usually develop as low clump-forming or cushion-like succulents with short shoots and fleshy paired leaves. Leaves can be three-angled, boat-shaped, finger-like, keeled, or pointed, often glaucous-green, gray, bluish, or covered with a waxy coating that reduces evaporation in dry climates.

Flowers in cheiridopsis are diurnal, daisy-like, usually yellow, orange, white, pink, or purple, opening under good lighting. Fruits are dry hydrochastic capsules that open when moistened. The seeds are very small, so when sowing they are distributed on the surface and moistened only by fine misting.

Purple Cheiridopsis is a small but sturdy clump-forming succulent 8-12 cm (3.1-4.7 in) tall, expanding across up to 40 cm (16 in). Leaves are paired, angular, three-angled, bluish-green or pinkish-green, about 3-6 cm (1.2-2.4 in) long, flat and rounded above, with a keel below.

Flowers are on short stalks, daisy-like, about 3.5 cm (1.4 in) across. It is they that gave the species its name: their coloration is bright purple-pink, almost magenta, which is rare among predominantly yellow-flowered cheiridopsis.

Cheiridopsis seeds are very small, light brown or brownish, rounded or slightly oval. Seed germination under careful sowing under cover is usually about 60-80%.

Sowing is best done in autumn or early winter, and with stable supplemental lighting and moderate temperatures - year-round, avoiding severe summer heat. A sterile fine-grained mineral substrate based on fine washed sand, perlite, mineral grit, and a small amount of sifted peat or coir component is used. Seeds are distributed over the surface and not buried. Sowing is moistened from a spray bottle with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or biofungicide with the addition of a growth stimulant: SUPERthrive, HB-101, Aminozol, Epin, or Zircon. The container is covered with a transparent lid or placed in a propagator.

Germination is carried out under bright diffused lighting and a temperature of around 18-24 °C (64-75 °F), without direct overheating under the sun. The surface is maintained slightly moist but not wet; moistening is performed only with fine spraying. Sowings are ventilated daily, condensation is removed, since stagnant moisture for Aizoaceae seedlings is particularly dangerous and quickly causes fungal infections.

First sprouts may appear after 7-14 days; the usual germination period is about 2-3 weeks; the maximum possible period under cool conditions or partial drying of the surface can stretch up to 4-6 weeks. After seedlings appear, the cover is gradually opened; seedlings are kept in bright diffused light and very careful moistening. Pricking out is carried out only after noticeable strengthening of plants and formation of the first true fleshy leaves, with minimal damage to roots.

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For cultivation, the brightest possible spot is chosen with bright diffused light and a few hours of soft direct sun. Southern, southeastern, and southwestern windows with good ventilation are best suited, and supplemental lighting is used in overcast seasons. The plant is gradually accustomed to harsh midday sun after a dark period to avoid burns on the leaves.

Active growth usually falls in autumn, winter, and spring when a temperature of around 12-22 °C (54-72 °F) is maintained. In hot summer, the plant is kept drier and cooler, as much as possible, with protection from overheating. Overwintering is bright and cool, without heavy overwatering. At high temperatures, weak light, and moist substrate, leaves quickly stretch out and become vulnerable to rot.

Watering is carried out carefully, taking seasonality into account. During the growth period, the soil is moistened in small portions after most of the substrate dries out. In hot dormant periods, watering is sharply reduced; only rare light moistening is permitted if leaves wrinkle excessively. Stagnation of water in the saucer is not allowed; misting of leaves is not required.

A very loose mineral substrate is used with a high content of coarse sand, fine stone chips, pumice, zeolite, perlite, or other inert aerator. The organic portion is added minimally. Drainage is laid at the bottom of the pot, and the container is chosen shallow, wide, and necessarily with drainage holes.

Fertilizer is applied rarely, only during active growth, no more than once every 6-8 weeks with a weak solution of fertilizer for cacti and succulents with low nitrogen content. Excess nutrients cause loose watery growth and disrupt compactness. Repotting is carried out at the beginning of the growth period; after repotting, the plant is kept without watering for several days. Pruning is usually not required; only dried remains of old leaves are removed.