Stapelia

This culture is a perennial, belongs to the Lastovnev family. Stapelia is a succulent. There are about a hundred varieties in the genus. As a rule, this plant in natural habitat can be found in Africa, usually in its southern part. Most often, the Stapelia flower grows in mountainous areas, closer to bodies of water, on rocks or in the vicinity of trees. The plant got this name thanks to a doctor from Holland in the 17th century, Van Stapel.

This culture has been very popular among flower lovers around the world for a long time. Succulent Stapelia is not a very demanding and capricious plant; in addition, it blooms very beautifully and unusually.

Stapelia flowers have a very unusual aroma. The pleasant smell of flowers is hardly reminiscent. The slipway smells not too pleasant, rot. This plant is for true lovers of unusual flowers. Stapelia are loved for their unusually beautiful appearance, which looks very strange against the background of a disgusting aroma.

Stapelia: flower description

Stapelia flower: photo of a succulent

The height of the Stapelia succulent can be different: from ten centimeters to sixty. There are a lot of stems, they have a lot of juice, and also have a tetrahedral shape. Shoots are actively branching near their base. There are large, not too sharp teeth along the edges. For this reason, many growers call such a plant "cactus stocks".

Shoots are painted in a light bluish or greenish tint. There are specimens that have a purple tone with a reddish tint. It is clearly visible in a large amount of sunlight. The stock has no leaves.

Stapelia flowers are formed singly, sometimes in pairs. The surface is covered with a small fluff. Pedicels have a bent shape. Flowers usually form near the main part of the stems, occasionally in the upper part. In its size, the flower can reach different sizes, from five to thirty centimeters. The appearance of such flowers is very unusual, the shape is similar to a starfish. Stapelia flowers are usually monochromatic, but multi-colored specimens are also found. Each variety glows with its unusual beauty and eerie smell.

Stapelia: home care

Stapelia flower: photo of a plant

A very important point in caring for a Stapelia is compliance with the required regimen temperature. The stapelia are very sensitive to different seasons. Such a plant feels best in the summer in the range from +22 to +26 degrees. It will not be superfluous to move the flower pot outdoors in the summer. A veranda or balcony is well suited for this.

In spring, as well as in autumn, this culture begins a period of rest. The plant begins to gain strength and energy for the next flowering. In winter, the flower pot must be moved to a cooler room, where the air temperature will not exceed fifteen degrees.

For the normal growth and development of the Stapelia, a fairly large amount of sunlight is required. If this parameter is not maintained at the proper level, then the flower stems will stretch upward, become thin and lethargic. Thus, flowers can never be expected.

If in summer it is too hot on the windowsill and the sun is too active, then the plant must be protected from scorching rays. Otherwise, there is a risk that Stapelia will get burns. Best of all, such a plant feels on a windowsill with a western or eastern exposure.

The Stapelia plant is a succulent.For this reason, Stapelia is quite demanding on the presence of moisture. Spraying should be carried out regularly and abundant watering flower. In this case, it is imperative to ensure that no stagnation of water occurs. Otherwise, the root system will begin to rot due to the appearance of fungi.

In order not to face such a problem, you need to place a drainage layer at the bottom of the planting tank. For this purpose, you can use clay shards or expanded clay. In the period from March to September, the plant is watered a maximum of once a week. In winter, watering stops.

Introduction fertilizers for Stapelia is made in summer, usually once every couple of weeks. To this end, it is best to purchase ready-made dressings that fertilize succulents and cacti. In order for the plant's immunity to be strong, it is periodically necessary to feed it with potassium dressings. In winter, fertilization is suspended.

When the plant is still young, it must be systematically transplant. This is done, as a rule, in the spring, once a year. The fact is that the young stocks spread out in breadth rather actively.

Adult Stapels are transplanted no more than once every two to three years. While you are replanting the stocks, it makes sense to remove aged shoots from the central part of the shrub. This is necessary so that the plant does not waste energy on such stems, because it is already pointless to wait for flowering from them.

Stapelia flower: photo of a succulent

Stapelia species that are perennials are usually not transplanted. Every year you need to replace the layer of soil that is on top with a new one. Also, old shoots need to be removed from the central part.

To to plant such a plant, you need to use a not too deep container. The root system of the slipway is not very well developed and is located in the upper soil layer. Good drainage must be laid on the bottom of the container.

This layer usually takes up about a third of the pot's volume. If you do not want to buy ready-made soil in the store, you can make the mixture yourself. It is prepared from coarse sand (one part) and turf soil (two parts). You can also buy soil made for succulents and add charcoal to it. Before planting the plant, it is recommended to steam the soil. After the plant has been planted, it is not recommended to water it for three to five days.

Blooms The stapelia are very unusual. This event will not go unnoticed, if only due to the specific aroma of flowers. Growing in their natural habitat, such a smell attracts the necessary insects that carry out pollination. This smell is very attractive to scavenger flies, and it is they who are of primary interest from the point of view of pollination of flowers.

With all the features of this plant, interest in it does not disappear, but only grows. Stapelia blooms for about two weeks. For this period, it is better to transfer the flower to a balcony or veranda. So, a putrid smell will not fill your room.

Due to improper care of the plant, harmful insects or diseases.

Diseases of fungal origin appear, as a rule, due to stagnant water in the ground. For this reason, it is important to follow the recommendations for watering, so as not to destroy the root system and the plant along with it.

As for insects that can annoy your plant, the staples can be affected by spider mites, aphids, mealybugs. To overcome uninvited guests, you need to purchase a special drug - an insecticide in a garden store. At the same time, the stocks that grow in nature have a very strong immunity and resistance to diseases and insects.

Some growers complain that their stocks still cannot please with flowering. Such a problem can be encountered due to improper care and maintenance of the flower.The plant may not have enough lighting, certain feeding may not be suitable. Flowering may not occur because the flower is kept warm in winter.

Due to too frequent and abundant watering, Stapelia may also not start flowering. You also need to monitor the nutritional balance of the flower; dressings should not be too much or too little. In order for the stocks to delight you with their flowering, you must follow some care rules:

• Watering the Stapelia must be correct. In spring and summer, this procedure is carried out once every couple of weeks. During this period, the soil should have time to dry completely. Further, from October to December, the stocks are watered less often, once a month. There is no need to water the plant in winter.
• For the winter, when the plant is at rest, it must be moved to a cooler place.
• When planting a plant, you need to ensure that the soil is sandy loam.
• For the normal growth and development of this plant, proper lighting is necessary.

If there is a lack of light, then the main part of the shoots may turn yellow. In such a situation, it is best to cut off such stems. They can be used for grafting.

How to reproduce correctly?

Stapelia flower: photo of a succulent

Stapelia reproduce very easily with the help of cuttings. In order to prepare them, you must use a well-sharpened knife. It must be treated with a disinfectant before use. Those places on the shrub and cuttings where the cut was carried out must be processed with chopped charcoal.

Before planting, the cuttings of the Stapelia must be kept in the open air for several hours. Then the cuttings are planted in the ground, which should include coarse sand, as well as a small amount of crushed peat. When the cuttings have formed a root system, the plants need to be transplanted into separate pots. The mixture into which the plants are planted should consist of leafy soil, turf and coarse sand. All components are mixed in the same amount. It will also not be superfluous to add charcoal (one handful).

In addition to grafting, you can also use seminal by the method of reproduction of Stapelia. You can get Stapelia seeds only from a fully ripe fruit. Such maturation occurs at least after a year. After the seeds ripen, sowing is performed. For this, containers are used that are filled with light sandy soil. Sprouts usually appear twenty to thirty days after sowing. When the Stapelia plants are a little stronger and grow, they are transplanted in separate pots. In this case, the soil is used the same as for the transplant.

After about twelve months, the Stapelia is transplanted into a larger container, the transverse part of which should already be nine to ten centimeters. The transplant of the Stapelia is carried out by transshipment. It is worth remembering that with seed reproduction of the stocks, there is a risk that the characteristics of the variety from the mother bush may not be preserved.

Stapelia: species with and varieties with names and photos

There are several types of Stapelia. Let's dwell on some of them in more detail.

Star-shaped slipway

Stapelia flower: photo of a succulent

Star-shaped Stapelia flower is a fairly compact plant, in its height it grows no more than twenty centimeters. Shoots are usually greenish in color. However, there are specimens in which the stems have a light reddish color. The flowers are colored red with a brownish tint. In addition, the surface of the flowers has yellowish stripes.

The flowers of the star-shaped Stapelia are covered with rather thick hairs of a pale pink hue. Pedicels are quite elongated, located near the main part of young stems. There is another version of this variety, which is called the shiny slipway. The flowers are the same color, except for the yellow stripes.

Giant

Flower Stapelia Giant: photo of a succulent

This plant is a perennial. The stems grow straight, they are quite powerful and sturdy. In their height, they reach about twenty centimeters, while the transverse part does not exceed three centimeters. The stems are covered with small teeth.

The flowers are large, their diameter can reach thirty-five centimeters. Pedicels are quite elongated. The petals are triangular, slightly curved, yellow in color. The surface of the flowers is covered with a large number of thick reddish hairs. The edges of the petals have elongated white hairs. The aroma of this variety is not as bad as other varieties.

Variegated slipways

Flower Stapelia Variegated: photo of a succulent

This plant is quite compact in size, in its height it reaches no more than ten centimeters. Shoots, as a rule, are colored green, but there are also pale reddish colors. Shoots have many small teeth. Flowers are formed at the main part of young shoots. As a rule, one to five flowers appear at a time.

The petals of the Variegated Stapelia are colored in a yellowish tone, resemble an egg in shape, the ends are pointed. The surface of the flower is quite smooth, and the seamy side has a wrinkled texture, there are also spots or stripes of a dark brownish tint. Such a plant blooms, as a rule, in the summer.

Ferruginous staple

Stapelia flower Ferruginous flower: succulent photo

This perennial plant can grow up to fifteen centimeters. The stems grow straight, reaching a maximum of thirty millimeters in thickness. There are not too many denticles on the shoots. Pedicels are rather long. At the same time, it can bloom on one plant from one to three flowers. The petals are yellow with a greenish tint. The petals are triangular. The surface is covered with stripes and small spots of pink color. The edges of the petals are slightly curved, covered with white hairs.

Golden purple

Stapelia flower Golden-purple: succulent photo

This variety grows about ten centimeters. The shoots are green in color, and purple varieties are also found. Has a small number of teeth. One plant forms from one to three flowers. This happens in the upper part of young shoots. The petals are egg-shaped, pointed to the tips. The petals are bent around the edges.

The outer part of the flower has a smooth texture, painted in a yellow tone. At the same time, the inner part has a wrinkled texture, the colors vary from golden to burgundy. The aroma is quite pleasant, reminiscent of wax.

Large-flowered stapelia

Large-flowered Stapelia flower: succulent photo

Large-flowered Stapelia is a perennial plant, each shoot has four edges, on which there are rare teeth. The flowers are large enough. The outer part of the petals is green with a bluish tint, and the inner part is burgundy. The surface has gray hairs that are gathered in tufts. The petals are bent around the edges. Such a plant blooms in summer. During this period, it is better to take the plant out into fresh air, since the aroma is not pleasant, it resembles the smell of meat that is far from the first freshness.

Volatile stocks

Flower Stapelia Changeable: photo of a succulent

This Stapelia variety is a hybrid. The stems are uncoated, rather strong. In their height, they grow by about fifteen centimeters. They have small teeth. Pedicels are rather long. The flowers are yellow with a brownish tint. The petals are shaped like an egg, the edges are pointed. The upper part of the pointed petals of Stapelia Variable is colored brown, and also has stripes and dots.