Trichodiadema MARLOTHII

Trichodiadema MARLOTHII - Marloth's trichodiadema.

Can be grown in bonsai style!

Trichodiadema is a genus of low evergreen succulent shrubs in the family Aizoaceae, comprising about 30 species distributed in southern and southeastern Africa.

The slow-growing shrub branches profusely with thin, often pendulous stems bearing closely spaced leaflets, forming mat-like clumps from 3.5 to 30 cm (1.4-12 in) in height. The tree-like trunk of most species is covered with light brown bark. To store reserves of moisture and nutrients, the plants utilize a powerful and deep root system. Caudiciform bonsai are often artificially created from Trichodiadema by lifting the thickened roots from the ground and training the bush as a tree.

Rounded oblong leaves of green color are fused at the base and grow up to 2 cm (0.8 in) in length. At the pointed ends of the succulent opposite leaflets are clusters of 20-25 thin pale bristles. Soft, short, hair-like, radially diverging bristles form a distinctive diadem, distinguishing representatives of the genus from closely related Delosperma.

Solitary flowers on short pedicels have numerous long petals. Flower diameter varies from 2 to 5 cm (0.8-2 in) depending on the species. The color palette includes white, cream, yellow, red colors, and various shades of pink. The flowers open in the morning and close toward evening.

Marloth's trichodiadema is a prostrate dwarf shrub no more than 4 cm (1.6 in) tall, with numerous branches pressed nearly flat to the ground. The flowers are purple-pink in color (3-3.5 cm / 1.2-1.4 in), with 1-2 rows of petals. Its native range is the Western Cape Province of South Africa. It is named in honor of the South African botanist, chemist, collector, and author of the 6-volume study 'The Flora of South Africa', Hermann Wilhelm Rudolf Marloth (1855-1931).

By seeds and by cuttings. Seeds are sown in early spring, having previously sterilized the dish and soil consisting of 60-80% sand. They can also be sown into pure sand, which is easier to sterilize, followed by picking out in early summer into soil for adult plants.

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Unlike lithops and conophytums, shrubby species of trichodiadema are watered more frequently and are not given a completely dry wintering; that is, they are also watered during the winter period. In hot weather, they are watered approximately once a week when the leaves lose turgor; in the winter period, once every two weeks or once a month, solely to maintain leaf turgor.

The soil is standard for Aizoaceae, consisting of two-thirds or three-quarters coarse sand. Drainage is mandatory. Fertilizers are not used. For normal growth it requires bright sun, but in extreme heat it can dry out, so watering is regular as turgor is lost. Soil with a large proportion of coarse sand is necessary, fast-draining and quick-drying, to prevent rotting of the fleshy roots.

In a dry state, without watering, trichodiadema tolerates light frosts down to -4 °C (25 °F). The optimal growing temperature is 25-30 °C (77-86 °F) with good lighting, direct sun. In southern regions where the sun is too intense, shading at midday may be needed.