Aizoaceae MIXED

Aizoaceae MIXED - Ice plant family, a special frost-resistant seed mixture of various genera and species (Aloinopsis, Titanopsis, Rabiea, Stomatium, etc.).

Tolerates temperature drops down to -9 °C (16 °F).

Aizoaceae, also known as the ice plant or mesemb family, is a family of flowering plants represented by leaf succulents and semi-succulents, uniting 5 subfamilies with more than 140 genera and 2,200 species. In terms of species richness, Aizoaceae is second only to the cactus family (Cactaceae). Most members are endemic to the arid regions of southern Africa, but many varieties also grow in Oceania, Europe, Australia, and along the Pacific coasts of the United States and Chile.

Most representatives are small plants with moisture-storing fleshy stems and slender or thickened leaves protected by a dense epidermis from the scorching sun. Many species from various genera are called living stones for their resemblance to small desert pebbles among which they grow.

Herbs, dwarf shrubs, stemless or rosette-forming succulents form dense cushions and expand very slowly, producing a new pair of leaves each year to replace the dying old pair. Paired succulent leaves are usually entire, rarely with toothed margins.

Many varieties bloom with small, very bright, and attractive flowers with slender petals, reminiscent of glossy daisies in yellow, white, or carmine-red. The leaves and berries of certain species are edible.

Among the most commonly cultivated members of the Aizoaceae family are Lithops, Conophytum, Aloinopsis, Faucaria, Trichodiadema, Mesembryanthemum, Caralluma, Antimima, Frithia, Delosperma, Argyroderma, Bijlia, Carruanthus, Aptenia, Carpobrotus, and Dorotheanthus.

Aizoaceae MIXED is a high-quality seed mix of numerous different genera and species, including very rare ones, of succulents from the Aizoaceae family.

Before sowing, seeds are soaked for 5-6 hours in warm water or a weak potassium permanganate solution, the planting container is sterilized for 24 hours in a concentrated solution, and the sowing mixture is scalded with boiling water or baked in an oven. Next, seeds are sown into a shallow tray 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 down, and sprinkled with a thin layer of sand no thicker than 1 mm (0.04 in). They are moistened with a spray bottle, covered with film, and germinated in light, but not under direct sunlight, at a temperature of 22-28 °C (72-82 °F). Seedlings need 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 prevent prolonged condensation retention, the container is ventilated 1-2 times a day for 10-15 minutes.

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Aizoaceae grow in some of the most arid regions of the planet with minimal precipitation and nutrients. They are adapted to survive in loamy and sandy soils under hot temperatures. In cultivation, some species are quite finicky and require steady and proper care. In areas without freezing temperatures, the plants are used as ornamental groundcovers.

Watering requirements vary depending on the region of origin of the succulent and its capacity to develop during the winter period. It must be taken into account that climatic summer in the Southern Hemisphere corresponds to winter in the Northern Hemisphere, and vice versa.

Most members grow very slowly. Propagation of almost all Aizoaceae requires an additional partner plant of the same species. Pollination is performed artificially using a soft brush. Seeds usually ripen in 2-3 months.