Rhinephyllum BROOMII

Rhinephyllum BROOMII - Broom's rhinephyllum, Rhinephyllum broomii.

"Living Stones" seed series.

Rhinephyllum is a genus of dwarf succulent plants in the ice plant family (Aizoaceae). In nature, they grow only in the Cape Province of South Africa. It grows quickly and reaches 20 cm (7.9 in) in height, also spreading rapidly into groups.

A shortened stem with two pairs of leaves forms with age. Fleshy succulent leaves are opposite, club-shaped, 1-2 cm (0.4-0.8 in) long, with a flat upper surface and convex lower surface. Light green or reddish-pink coloration predominates, with contrasting shades of small dots and tubercles covering the leaf. A new pair of leaves appears from the fissure in the old pair.

Yellow or yellowish-white solitary flowers 10-15 mm (0.4-0.6 in) in diameter are situated on peduncles about 5 mm (0.2 in) long. The fragrant flowers have a large number of long, narrow petals. Height: it grows quickly, but reaches only 20 cm (7.9 in) in height.

Broom's rhinephyllum is a very small and compact perennial succulent with succulent clumps of leaves reaching only 1-3 cm (0.4-1.2 in) in height. It blooms with small yellow flowers. This species is one of the few self-pollinating members of the family.

Before planting, seeds are soaked for 5-6 hours in warm water or a weak solution of potassium permanganate, the planting container is sterilized for 24 hours in a saturated solution, and the planting mix is scalded with boiling water or baked in the oven. Next, they are sown in a shallow dish with a mixture of 1 part leaf soil and 2 parts coarse sand and perlite at intervals of 2-3 mm (0.08-0.12 in), lightly pressed in, and sprinkled with a thin layer of sand no more than 1 mm (0.04 in). They are moistened with a spray bottle, covered with film, and germinated in the light, but not under direct sunlight, at a temperature of 22-28 °C (72-82 °F). Seedlings require ventilation and watering. Moistening is still carried out with a spray bottle. It is necessary to avoid waterlogging and complete drying out of the sowings. To avoid long retention of condensation, the container is ventilated 1-2 times a day for 10-15 minutes.

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An undemanding plant in care that requires a brightly lit, sunny location and cannot tolerate waterlogging. Light shading is possible only on hot summer days. The leaves take on a reddish hue when grown in the sun.

During the warm season, normal room temperature is suitable. During the rest period, it must be kept cool - at a temperature of around 12 °C (54 °F). The temperature should not drop below 10 °C (50 °F).

Rhinephyllum is able to endure prolonged periods of drought, but requires thorough watering after them. Watering should be moderate in summer with light spraying in extreme heat, and practically absent during winter maintenance. During the dormancy period, spraying can be done instead of watering. Water stagnation is unacceptable, and the soil must dry out between waterings, as the plant is prone to root rot.

The succulent tolerates even the driest air, but will grow better in a place with good air circulation without cold drafts.

It prefers light and loose soils, even those very poor in nutrients, with a high content of coarse sand, and requires good drainage. It grows well in a drained mixture of sod and leaf soil and sand in a 1:1:2 ratio.

It is fed once during the growing season with fertilizer for cacti and succulents (low in nitrogen) at half strength. Mature plants are repotted before flowering once every 2-3 years.