Tylecodon GRANDIFLORUS

Tylecodon GRANDIFLORUS - Large-flowered tylecodon, Tylecodon grandiflorus.

Tylecodon is a genus of low-growing succulent perennial shrubs in the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae), native to South Africa, Namibia, and Namaqualand.

Most species are low-growing succulent dwarf shrubs with stout, thick, fleshy, and succulent stems covered with light brown or gray bark that can crack and peel.

Green or bluish waxy-coated simple leaves form a lush crown at the tops of the stems and can be long, round in cross-section, elliptic, cylindrical, or spoon-shaped. In some species, the leaves are pubescent. They can be succulent or non-succulent. Tylecodon grows very slowly, reaching up to 2.5 m (8.2 ft) in height in its natural environment.

The bell-shaped flowers, up to 1.5 cm (0.6 in) in diameter, pink, greenish, or yellow-brown in color, are gathered in paniculate inflorescences on slender leafless peduncles. Flowers often appear after leaf drop.

The large-flowered tylecodon is a low-growing succulent with a thick irregularly shaped stem and several prostrate branches reaching up to 50 cm (19.7 in) in length. The main stem and branches have peeling bark ranging from gray to yellowish. The leaves range from green to brownish-green in color, up to 8 cm (3.1 in) long and up to 1.5 cm (0.6 in) wide, with grooves on the surface. The flowers are orange-red, tubular, up to 4 cm (1.6 in) long, appearing in late summer after the plant sheds its leaves. The species has the largest flowers in the genus.

Seeds without preliminary soaking are sown in shallow dishes on the surface, barely covering them, or lightly sprinkling clean fine sand on top. A substrate of 1 part leaf soil or peat potting soil and 1/2 part coarse sand is used for sowing; 1/2 part vermiculite and pieces of charcoal can be added. Seeds are moistened from a spray bottle, covered with film, and germinated in the light, but not in the sun, at a temperature of 18-23 °C (64-73 °F). Sprouts need ventilation. Overwatering and complete drying out of the sowings must be avoided.

Special notes: Seeds are very (!) small, like dust.

© Greeniverse. All rights reserved.

Tylecodon grows slowly and is one of the most demanding succulents. The difficulty of cultivation lies in the fact that the growth period occurs during the autumn-winter season, while in summer they enter dormancy. This fact requires various adaptations. Powerful supplemental lighting is required during the growth period and a mineral substrate with minimal watering.

During the growth period, the temperature must be raised to 25-30 °C (77-86 °F), which involves a number of difficulties in winter; a drop in temperature below 10-13 °C (50-55 °F) is unacceptable. Some species are tolerant of temperature fluctuations down to light frosts. During the summer dormant period, it keeps well at summer room temperature of 19-35 °C (66-95 °F) in dry and well-ventilated room conditions. The plant loves fresh air.

Moderate watering is necessary throughout the year, but after leaf drop, watering is reduced. It does not require misting. Feeding is carried out during the growth period once every 2 weeks with fertilizers for cacti and succulents.

It tolerates different soil types, occurring both in rock crevices and in coastal sands of the south. Optimal for cultivation is a substrate of sod and leaf soil, coarse sand with the addition of charcoal and limestone chips. Repotting is performed in spring and only in extreme cases; it is better not to disturb the plant for as long as possible. After repotting, the tylecodon takes a very long time to establish.