Rhombophyllum DOLABRIFORME

Rhombophyllum DOLABRIFORME - Hatchet-shaped Rhombophyllum, Elkhorn Plant, Hatchet Plant.

Rhombophyllum is a small genus of succulent dwarf shrubs in the ice plant family (Aizoaceae). All species grow in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, on rocky slopes and gravelly plains.

The plants branch profusely and over time develop a short woody stem, turning into a low bush up to 30 cm (11.8 in) tall. This is a rarity for mesembs; most of their relatives sit flush with the ground.

The leaves are opposite, decussate, fused at the base into a short sheath, flattened from the sides, and widen wedge-like at the apex. The flowers are daisy-like, golden-yellow, sitting in clusters of 3-5 on a single peduncle. The fruit is a dry capsule that opens with moisture.

Hatchet-shaped rhombophyllum is a profusely branching dwarf shrub up to 30 cm (11.8 in) tall, endemic to the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The leaves are 2.5-3 cm (1.0-1.2 in) long and 1-1.5 cm (0.4-0.6 in) wide, smooth, green, with translucent dots, widening at the apex and ending in a protrusion resembling a molar tooth.

The flowers are golden-yellow, up to 4 cm (1.6 in) across, 3-5 per peduncle. Flowering occurs in July and August.

Rhombophyllum seeds are very small, dark, ripening in dry capsules that open with moisture. Soaking such tiny seeds is impractical, so the substrate itself is disinfected: before sowing, it is drenched with a weak potassium permanganate solution and dried slightly. Scarification and stratification are not required.

Sowing is carried out on the surface, without covering: the seeds need light. A sterile fine-grained mineral substrate is used, topped with a layer of washed sand. Sowing is moistened from a spray bottle with a growth stimulant solution: SUPERthrive, HB-101, Aminozol, Epin, or Zircon, covered with a transparent lid or placed in a greenhouse, and germinated under bright indirect light and a temperature of 18-24 °C (64-75 °F), without overheating under direct sunlight.

Under favourable conditions, the first seedlings appear within a week, primary germination is completed in 2-3 weeks, and individual seeds may take up to 4-6 weeks. Sowing containers are ventilated daily, condensation is removed: stagnant moisture is especially dangerous for aizoacean seedlings. Pricking out is carried out only after noticeable strengthening of the seedlings, with minimal root damage.

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The plant needs the brightest possible location with bright indirect light and several hours of soft direct sun. The density of the plant and whether the flowers open depend directly on the light level.

Active growth occurs during the cool part of the year, from autumn to spring, while in the summer heat the plant enters dormancy and is kept drier and cooler. With warmth, weak light, and a moist substrate, tissues stretch out and become vulnerable to rot.

Watering is very careful, in small portions, only after complete drying out of the substrate. During the summer dormancy period, watering is sharply reduced. Water stagnation in the saucer is unacceptable, and spraying the leaves is not required.

The substrate must be very loose, lean, mineral, with a high proportion of coarse sand, fine stone grit, and perlite. Drainage is placed at the bottom of the pot, a shallow container is selected, and necessarily with drainage holes for water runoff.

Fertilizer is applied rarely, only during the period of active growth, with a weak solution of fertilizer for cacti and succulents with low nitrogen content. Excess nutrition disrupts the compactness of the plant.

Repotting is carried out at the beginning of the growth period, after which the plant is kept without watering for several days. Stretched shoots can be shortened, allowing the cut to dry before resuming watering.