Anacampseros FILAMENTOSA 'TOMENTOSA'

Anacampseros FILAMENTOSA 'TOMENTOSA' - Woolly thread anacampseros, Filamentous anacampseros 'Tomentosa'.

Anacampseros has more than 35 species and is a perennial, mostly miniature succulent plant resembling small stonecrops. It is a low herbaceous plant with erect, rarely trailing stems. The roots sometimes have tuberous thickenings.

The leaves of anacampseros can be rounded, triangular, or cylindrical in shape. Coloration can be uniform, from green to purple, or speckled. In some species, the leaves are pubescent. Each leaf is partially clasped by a small hairy or hidden stipule. The 5-petaled flowers, white, pink, or red, are arranged solitarily or in racemes, opening in hot sunny weather for a short time. There are varieties whose flowers do not open at all or open in the dark hours. The flowering period is from May to September.

Woolly thread anacampseros is a variety with stems up to 5-10 cm (2.0-3.9 in) high and thickened roots, densely arranged elongated-oval leaves with thin, spiderweb-like hairs. Flowers are purple-red, 2-3 cm (0.8-1.2 in) in diameter. Native to South Africa.

Seeds are very small, about 0.5-1 mm (0.02-0.04 in) long, dark and numerous, contained in dry capsules. Germination rate under proper storage is 60-80%. Sowing is performed exclusively on the surface, as the seeds are too small for burying. A light mineral substrate of sand and perlite is used; addition of a small amount of leaf mold or vermiculite is permissible. The surface of the substrate is moistened with a spray bottle and, if necessary, sprinkled with a thin layer of fine gravel to stabilize the planting. The container is covered with film or a transparent lid and ventilated daily. Germination temperature is maintained at 20-26 °C (68-79 °F) in diffused light, with watering preferred through the tray.

Seedlings appear after 10-20 days; the minimum period is about a week, and the maximum possible can exceed 35 days. After the appearance of 1-2 true leaves, careful pricking out into individual containers is carried out. Young plants are provided with good lighting without direct sunlight and moderate watering without stagnant moisture. Vegetative propagation is used frequently: lateral rosettes easily detach and root in a dry mineral substrate.

© Greeniverse. All rights reserved.

Anacampseros prefers bright lighting; direct morning and evening sun is tolerated well. To maintain decorative coloration, high light intensity is provided, and supplemental lighting is used during the winter period. With insufficient lighting, leaves turn pale and green.

During the warm season, a temperature of 20-28 °C (68-82 °F) is maintained. In winter, a decrease to 12-16 °C (54-61 °F) is permissible with almost no watering. Watering is carried out after complete drying of the substrate, in minimal volume. Waterlogging is avoided, as roots are easily damaged.

A mineral, very loose, and fast-drying substrate is used, with the addition of pumice, sand, perlite, and a small amount of leaf mold. A shallow pot is chosen, with an essential thick drainage layer. Repotting is performed in spring as needed by gentle shifting.

Fertilizers are applied once every 3-4 weeks during active growth, using succulent fertilizers low in nitrogen. Shaping is not required; only removal of old and dried leaves is conducted. Propagation is carried out by seeds and lateral rosettes.