Adromischus SPHENOPHYLLUS

Adromischus SPHENOPHYLLUS - Wedge-leaved adromischus, Adromischus sphenophyllus.

The genus Adromischus includes about 70 species of plants in the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae). Adromischus species grow in South and Southwest Africa. The genus name translates from Greek as "thick-stemmed". Adromischus are low-growing shrublets or perennial herbaceous plants with succulent, often variegated, spotted, and sometimes pubescent leaves. The short, thick, prostrate stem is densely covered with rust-red aerial roots that absorb moisture from the air. Flowers are gathered into a spike-like raceme on a relatively long peduncle. The petals of the corolla fuse partially, forming a narrow tube.

Species with red and dark green spots on the leaves are most popular, but with insufficient light these spots disappear. Like all crassulaceous plants, adromischus are undemanding and easy to care for; in addition, they are rarely attacked by pests.

Adromischus sphenophyllus is a sparsely branched small succulent. The leaf blade can reach 5 cm (2 in) in length and 3 cm (1.2 in) in width.

Seeds are sown in a shallow container on the surface of a sandy substrate, pre-mixed with its top layer. They are moistened with a spray bottle, covered with glass or film, and germinated in light at a temperature of 18-24 °C (64-75 °F). Sprouts require ventilation. It is necessary to avoid waterlogging and drying out of the sowings.

The cover is removed once sprouts appear. After two to three leaves appear, seedlings are repotted into individual pots. More than 3 months are required for flowering after the initial stem emerges.

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It prefers bright and sunny lighting. South, southeast, and southwest exposures without shading are ideal. In summer, a sunny balcony is desirable. Temperatures should be moderate; in winter, maintaining 8-12 °C (46-54 °F) is desirable.

In summer, adromischus is watered moderately, allowing the soil to dry out. Even during active growth, the plant does not tolerate excess moisture. In winter, watering is stopped if kept in cool conditions. If the plant is kept at room temperature, watering is sparse and careful. The plant does not require spraying.

The substrate is a soil mix enriched with a large amount of sand. One can use this soil recipe: garden loam, humus, and coarse sand in a 2:2:3 ratio. Adding a bit of bone meal, eggshell, charcoal, and brick chips to the resulting mix is beneficial. Using a commercial ready-made potting mix designed for planting and repotting cacti and succulents of all kinds is also fine. To prevent rot, the plant requires a very loose, well-drained substrate and a shallow pot (pan). Soil - an equal mixture of leaf humus, sand, and peat soil. Good drainage is mandatory. Frequent repotting is not needed.

Fertilization of the soil for adromischus is carried out with a mineral concentrate for cacti and succulents. It can be purchased at a garden store. Feeding is needed throughout the growing season, from March to September. In the autumn-winter season, by contrast, it is not required. The frequency of applying fertilizer to the soil in spring and summer is once a month.