Namibia PONDEROSA

Namibia PONDEROSA - Heavy namibia, Namibia ponderosa, Mesembryanthemum PONDEROSUM, Mesembryanthemum.

"Living Stones" seed series.

Mesembryanthemum is a genus of annual or biennial small succulent plants in the ice plant family (Aizoaceae), distributed in South Africa, comprising, according to various data, from 50 to 80 species. Many species formerly referred to this genus were later assigned to other genera of the family Aizoaceae. And conversely, Namibia was an independent genus later included in the genus Mesembryanthemum.

In nature, members of the genus grow to a small size, about 15 cm (5.9 in) tall, trailing or creeping succulent annuals or biennials capable of branching. Some species are subshrubs. Stems are prostrate, often straight, heavily branching.

The leaves are sessile, pale green, fleshy, spindle-shaped or rounded in form. Leaf arrangement is opposite below, alternate higher up. A characteristic feature of members of this genus is the presence on the leaves of special swollen surface cells - glandular hairs - idioblasts, resembling crystal droplets and giving the plants a "crystalline" or "ice" appearance.

Flowers are double, resembling daisy flowers, solitary or forming racemose inflorescences. Numerous petals are narrow. Flower coloration is white, pink, or red, very rarely yellow. The plant blooms throughout the summer until mid-autumn. The fruit is a capsule. Seeds are small.

Heavy namibia has round, fleshy, thick gray leaves. It blooms with pink flowers.

Propagated by sowing seeds in late winter indoors or in late April - May directly into flowerbeds or pots. With early sowing, as soon as seedlings can be handled, they are moved into small cups, from which they are planted into permanent locations in May. They are also propagated by cuttings in spring.

Seeds are sown on the surface of a sandy mix, moistened with a spray bottle, covered with film, and germinated in the light, but not in the sun, at a temperature of 12-15 °C (54-59 °F). Seedlings require ventilation. It is necessary to avoid waterlogging and drying out of the sowings. With the emergence of sprouts, the temperature is reduced to 10 °C (50 °F), and bright lighting is provided.

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Mesembryanthemum is ideally suited for cultivation in coastal gardens, borders, and rock gardens. It can also be cultivated in pots: on terraces and balconies.

Planting into the garden begins in April. It prefers light sandy soil without excess dampness, and sunlight must reach the area. A distance of 20-30 cm (7.9-11.8 in) should be maintained between plants depending on how much the plants of a given species spread.

Planting into pots is done in late April - May. In doing so, humus with the addition of coarse sand is used to ensure drainage. In climatic conditions characterized by severe winters, potted perennial species of Mesembryanthemum are brought into a very well-lit room for this time of year, maintaining a temperature not lower than 5-6 °C (41-43 °F).

All species of Mesembryanthemum require full sun. Plants should be planted on the south side. None of the representatives of the genus fear summer heat, while winter temperatures near zero are tolerated - and only for a short period - exclusively by perennial species. The optimal air temperature is 20 °C (68 °F). Watering is done very moderately, only for young and potted plants.