Cephalophyllum ALSTONII

Cephalophyllum ALSTONII - Alston's cephalophyllum, Cephalophyllum alstonii, Hornleaf, Red Spike Ice Plant.

Cephalophyllum is a genus of perennial succulent plants in the ice plant family (Aizoaceae), comprising several dozen species distributed predominantly in the Cape provinces of South Africa and in Namibia. Representatives of the genus occur in desert and dry scrub biomes, on sandy and rocky soils, open slopes, and well-drained sites where the plants receive bright sun and rapid drying after rains.

The plants grow as low mat-forming or clump-forming succulents with creeping, branching shoots. The leaves are fleshy, opposite, cylindrical, three-angled, or almost circular in cross section, green, gray-green, or bluish, sometimes with a waxy coating. New pairs of leaves emerge from the fissure between the old ones, as in many members of the family Aizoaceae.

Flowers in Cephalophyllum are usually large relative to the size of the plant, multi-petaled, resembling bright daisies or ice flowers. They open during the day under good lighting and close in overcast weather or in the evening. Flower coloration can be yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, or whitish. After flowering, multi-locular capsules with small seeds develop.

Alston's cephalophyllum is a creeping succulent dwarf subshrub from the Western Cape province of South Africa, growing primarily in desert and arid scrub habitats. The plant forms low, dense clumps with elongated shoots and fleshy leaves, allowing it to spread over time into an expansive carpet.

The leaves are gray-green or greenish, smooth, fleshy, three-angled or almost cylindrical, about 6-12 cm (2.4-4.7 in) long, erect or slightly spreading. The flowers are very large and showy, ruby-red, purple-red, or deep pinkish-red, with violet stamens, and can reach 8-10 cm (3.1-3.9 in) in diameter. In nature, flowering occurs during the cool season of the Southern Hemisphere, while in cultivation it depends on lighting, overwintering conditions, and the general vigor of the plant.

In cultivation, Alston's cephalophyllum is valued as a rare aizoon succulent with large vivid flowers and trailing growth. It is suitable for sunny windowsills, arid mini-arrangements, shallow pans, mesemb collections, and winter gardens with good ventilation.

Cephalophyllum seeds are small, brown, pear-shaped or irregularly shaped, forming in multi-locular capsules.

Sowing is done superficially or almost superficially, without soaking. A sterile mineral sowing substrate based on fine peat, washed sand, fine gravel, and perlite is used. Seeds are distributed over the surface, lightly pressed down, and either left uncovered or dusted with a barely noticeable layer of sifted sand. The sowing is moistened from a spray bottle with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or biofungicide, if necessary 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 greenhouse. Germination is conducted under bright diffused light, without direct sun or overheating, at a temperature of 20-25 °C (68-77 °F). Sowing containers are ventilated daily, condensation is removed, and the substrate surface is kept slightly moist, but not wet. For ice plants, it is especially critical to avoid stagnant moisture under poor air circulation.

The first seedlings may appear in 7-21 days, but germination can be staggered and depends on temperature and moisture. After sprouts emerge, the cover is gradually opened, and seedlings are kept under bright diffused light with cautious watering. Pricking out is carried out once seedlings have strengthened and begun forming fleshy leaves, when plants can be conveniently transferred with a small plug of substrate.

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A very bright location with direct morning or evening sun is used for cephalophyllum. South, southeast, and southwest windows are most suitable, although in intense summer heat behind glass, light shading and ventilation may be required. With insufficient light, shoots stretch out, leaves become looser, and flowering diminishes or fails to occur.

During the active growth period, a temperature of 18-28 °C (64-82 °F) is maintained, and with good air movement the plant tolerates brief heat. A bright and cool overwintering is preferred at 8-14 °C (46-57 °F), with very infrequent watering. In cold weather, it is essential to avoid wet soil, as roots and shoot bases quickly suffer from dampness. Containerized plants cool down faster than plants in the ground, making winter dryness especially critical.

Watering is conducted sparingly, only after the soil has dried out thoroughly. In the warm season, the root ball is moistened moderately but not left wet for long, and excess water from the tray is always drained after 15-20 minutes. During the cool dormant period, watering almost ceases and is applied only upon noticeable wrinkling of the leaves. Misting is not required; air humidity is maintained at normal room level or dry.

The soil should be poor, loose, mineral, and fast-drying: commercial cactus and succulent mix, coarse sand, fine gravel, pumice, zeolite, crushed brick, perlite, and a small amount of leaf soil. The mineral fraction should comprise a significant portion of the mix. A layer of drainage is necessarily placed at the bottom. Shallow, wide pots with drainage holes are selected, as the plant spreads sideways.

Repotting is carried out in spring, typically once every 3-4 years or after substantial expansion of the clump. Careful pot-stepping is used, with removal of old, dried, or damaged shoots. After repotting, the plant is kept for several days without water. Fertilizer is applied only during active growth once every 4-6 weeks with a weak solution of cactus and succulent fertilizer low in nitrogen. Excess nutrients induce loose watery growth and reduce rot resistance.

Propagation in culture is possible via stem cuttings and division of an expanded clump. Cuttings are taken from mature shoots, dried for several days, and planted into dry or barely moist mineral substrate. Initial waterings are conducted carefully, only after rooting begins.