Lampranthus GLAUCUS

Lampranthus GLAUCUS - Glaucous-leaved lampranthus, Lampranthus glaucus.

Lampranthus is a genus of compact flowering succulent plants with creeping or erect stems of the family Aizoaceae. The genus numbers over one hundred species and originates from South Africa.

It is a low succulent plant with drooping succulent stems up to 60 cm (24 in) in length. Upon contact with soil, stems can root on their own. Leaves are succulent, green or grayish-green with a waxy bloom, cylindrical or triangular.

Flowers form at the tops of the stems and open only in sunny weather, remaining half-closed on cloudy days; they form so abundantly that plants create a very colorful carpet. Shades of flowers include yellow, red, crimson, orange, white, and violet. The diameter of each flower ranges from 2 to 5 cm (0.8 to 2 in); the flowers resemble a daisy or chamomile with numerous long, narrow petals, and the center of the flower is usually white or yellow.

Golden lampranthus is a narrow shrub up to 30 cm (12 in) high. Leaves are small, succulent, gray-green. Yellow flowers up to 3 cm (1.2 in) wide appear on young stems. Fruits are capsules.

Seeds are sown superficially without burial in a cactus mix diluted halfway with coarse sand, moistened from a spray bottle, covered with film, and germinated in the light, but not in direct sun at a temperature of 20-25 °C (68-77 °F). Seedlings need ventilation. Overwatering and desiccation of crops must be avoided. Germination takes from two weeks to 1 month.

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Compact and profusely flowering unpretentious plants grown mainly for their riot of flowers. It is also good to use as a groundcover plant.

Like most succulents, lampranthus likes warm conditions with a temperature of 20-25 °C (68-77 °F). In winter, it is preferable to arrange a dormant period at a temperature of 10-12 °C (50-54 °F), minimum 8 °C (46 °F), kept dry. Bright illumination is necessary throughout the year. Direct sunlight is possible in the morning and evening, but in hot summer midday hours it needs shading. Water moderately in spring and summer, very carefully, as roots rot easily from excess water. During the dormant period with cold wintering, the soil is only occasionally slightly moistened. It tolerates the dryness of heated living quarters well and does not need spraying. Only in summer on especially hot days can the air around the plants be moistened with a very fine sprayer, preventing water from lingering on the leaves in droplets. Good air movement is necessary.

A well-drained, loose substrate with a high content of sand or perlite is used to improve drainage. Fairly nutrient-poor soils or any potting soil mixtures for succulents will do. Repot every year in early spring, or less frequently when the roots fill the entire pot. Feedings are applied from May to September every two weeks. Fertilizer for decorative flowering plants is used at half the dose recommended by the manufacturer. An excess of nutrients causes excessive stem growth, making them loose and soft, and the plant may become susceptible to various fungal diseases.

It blooms in summer. The flowering period depends on the specific species - some bloom for one to two weeks, while others have a prolonged bloom lasting up to six months. In autumn after flowering, dead stems of the plant must be removed.