Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 11:53 am
A conophyte is a type of succulent plant that has translucent leaves, and conophytum pellucidum is one of the most famous conophytes. You may be wondering what exactly these plants are; Conophytum pellucidum is very unique because they have two different types of leaves on each plant – one leaf type absorbs water and nutrients from the soil while the other reflects light to help photosynthesis.
This conophyte is translucent, with a conical cap. It has narrow leaves which are green on the underside and maroon to brown on the top side. The flower stalk can grow up to 6 inches tall, bearing two or three flowers at its apex in late spring.
Conophytum pellucidum details
Stem: Stem-less (internodes unseen) or really short as well as developing rhizomatous branches at soil degree.
Bodies (paired leaves): 10 to 20 mm high as well as 6 to 12 mm in diameter, cylindric to turbiniform (inverted conical), the peak of pair fused, not lobed, instead of concave to convex, glabrous, bullate, or carefully papillate.
Top surface with grey-green to the coppery-brown island and also elaborate markings which include light grey to brownish branched windows often fleetingly blood-red; crevice brief or long, grey-green, somewhat sunken, papillate.
The dried leaves assimilate effectively with their environments and also look even more like little stones than anything else.
Flowers: Diurnal, odorless generally white with a yellow throat, however, sometimes plants with a white throat can be seen. Light or dark purple flowers are also known either as distinct populaces or blended in with whites.
Calyx-tube membranous, 6mm long, green to brownish, with 4 to 5 brownish sepals; corolla-tube to 15mm long, slim, creamy colored to pink or gold flowers 25 to 40 in 2 to 4 collection, white ending up being “filled” rose over or concolorous pure white or pink,
Growing period: Flowers show up in mid to late summertime or fall. They are short-day plants, that is, the flowers just when day length is much less than 12 hrs..
Fruit: Small, tan-colored normally 4-locular
Subspecies and cultivars of Conophytum pellucidum group
- Conophytum pellucidum Schwantes: Has well-created bullate leaves.
- Conophytum pellucidum subs. cupreatum (Tischer) S.A.Hammer: has actually leaves integrated as well as not bullate, never ever bullate, glabrous or carefully papillate, coppery-brown with places as well as lines, with eco-friendly to brownish windows typically with corroded island.
- Conophytum pellucidum var. lilianum (Littlew.) S.A.Hammer.
- Conophytum pellucidum var. neohalliiA.Hammer.
- Conophytum pellucidum subs. saueriA.Hammer & Smale.
- Conophytum pellucidum var. terrestre (Tischer) S.A.Hammer.
- Conophytum pellucidum var. terricolor (Tischer) Little. ex-spouse S.A.Hammer.
The conelike-shaped bodies of Conophytum pellucidum do not quickly take in sunlight, however have transparent window components in the leading surface that permit sunlight to be recorded and utilized even when the plant go to the soil degree or pulled back below the surface of the soil.
This is an intriguing transformative adjustment to conquer this light problem; their leaves are an easy optical system that allows light striking the windows to be diffused onto the eco-friendly, photosynthesizing surface positioned underground.
With a minimum of direct exposure to the outdoors atmosphere, an optimal location of photosynthetic tissue is ensured.
Origin of Conophytum pellucidum
South Africa is the native home of conophytum pellucidum. It grows in full sun, but well-drained soil that doesn’t stay wet for long periods at a time. The Conophytum pellucidum blooms from early spring through fall.
Description of Conophytum pellucidum
Conophytum pellucidum are small plants with thick leaves and a swollen root system. Their flowers have five petals, which can be white or yellow in color. They grow well in rock gardens because they prefer the sun but do not like to get too warm.
Conophytum pellucidum is a small, hairless plant that usually grows as large as 1cm in diameter. The leaves of this species are often described as pointy and almost rolled inward. Conophytum pellucidum is also known to form very tight clusters which appear more like a bunch than individual plants.
Native Range
This species is one of many rare succulents that are only found in the wild within a very small certain region, but nothing else is known about its habitat or distribution.
Propagation of conophytum pellucidum
Cultivation and Propagation of Conophytum pellucidum
They are amongst one of the most popular of this category yet fairly challenging to grow. These plants grow on wintertime rainfall and go to summertime dormancy. The growing period in the northern hemisphere is from September to March.
Throughout this duration, they can be gently watered about once every week or (far better) misted every day and it will certainly come to be plump.
In Africa, the haze from early morning fog provides dampness. Or else their skin breaks (causing undesirable marks). Water minimally in the summertime, (just periodic misting). Beginning watering again in autumn after the previous year’s leaves have actually dried up.
The plant needs good drainage. They take pleasure in complete sunlight or half-shade and also in the summer season they require to be kept in an awesome location. Hardy to -2°C.
Make sure there is a great flow of air and avoid repotting frequently. They might remain in the exact same pot for several years. Plants grown in bigger containers have regularly reasonably poor flowers. They may improve in growth when they are given their own, tiny specific pots.
Propagation
They can be propagated both by seeds and cuttings. The seed has to be planted in the springtime or summer season. The plants should not be disrupted up until they are well rooted, after the first or the second year they should be grown right and big enough to be transplanted into their own pots.
Take the cutting from a full-grown main plant. Each cutting has to consist of several heads in addition to a portion of roots.
Origin and habitat: Namaqualand, Bushmanland, North Cape, South-Africa.
Kind region: Near O’okiep. The timeless kind, referred to as Lithops marlothii.
Attitude array: 350 – 1050 meters over sea level.
Ecology: It is a professional type that grows in Succulent Karoo on quartzite inclines or sandy soil, typically in holes or on rough outcrops
Synonyms
- Conophytum pellucidum subsp. Pellucidum
- Conophytum elegans
- Conophytum fenestratum
- Conophytum pardicolor
- Conophytum terricolor
- Mesembryanthemum pellucidum.
Scientific Category
Family: Aizoaceae.
Subfamily: Ruschioideae.
Tribe: Ruschieae.
Genus: Conophytum
Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 10b to 11b: from 35 ° F (+1.7 ° C) to 50 ° F (+10 ° C).
Genaral Care Information
A lot of Conophytums require brilliant light however do not like much intense sunlight. To stay clear of sunburn, put them in a placement to get a couple of hrs of complete sunlight in cooler durations of the day.
These plants grow best in a permeable growing medium that will certainly drain quickly. Make use of an industrial mix particularly made for growing succulents or make your very own.
They call for little or no water when Conophytums go dormant in the springtime. In the fall, when plants will start growing, it is risk-free to water deeply, allowing the soil to completely dry prior to watering again.
Conophytums are light feeders, and also they do not need fertilizers unless they are repotted every 2 years. It is best to fertilize at the start of the growing period and right before flowering.
These succulents will certainly gain from repotting. They normally require to be repotted every 2 to 4 years, relying on the pot’s dimension and growth rate. The very best time to repot a Conophytum is at the start of an active growth period.
Conophytums are conveniently propagated by division. They can additionally be grown from seeds.
Where to Plant
Conophytum Pellucidum succulents require strong light. When growing this succulent type in a garden, ensure it gets sunlight. Complete to partial sunlight is the best for its development. It is far better to grow outdoors instead of indoors.
This type of succulent favors a warm climate. It can make it through at n hardiness zone of 10b to 11b which is around +1.7°C (35°F). It is much better to grow in an indoor environment if you live in a cool location. As long as it gets sufficient sunlight, the plant will certainly grow happily.
Light requirement
Conophytum pellucidum is considered to be a shade-loving plant that can survive in full sun if it has an ideal location. The soil should drain well, but the plants are generally tolerant of moist conditions as long as they do not stay wet for prolonged periods.
Soil/potting mix
Conophytum pellucidum needs well-draining soil. Soilless potting mixes are usually the best since they will retain moisture but not hold onto it too tightly. They also deny conophytums any opportunity to sit in water for extended periods of time during watering cycles. It is very important that the container has drainage holes since the soil mix will tend to retain water.
If it does not have these outcrops for excess moisture to drain through, you run the risk of allowing your plant to sit in water and drown itself.
Watering
Watering is probably the most difficult topic in growing Conophytums. As with many other succulent plants, they do best if watered only when dry and require extremely well-draining soil to prevent rot. However, not watering enough can cause numerous problems as well: shriveled and brittle leaves, loss of turgor leading to decreased size and loss of spines, and ultimately death.
Conophytums are winter growers and tend to go somewhat dormant during the summer months, so they don’t require as much water in summer as they do in fall, winter, and spring. Some species such as Conophytum ficiforme can be active into late autumn/early winter, while others such as Conophytum truncatum remain somewhat active until summer.
Watering should be kept to a minimum from mid-summer, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. In late autumn or early winter when the plant begins growing again, begin applying water more frequently and with greater volume. This helps encourage the root system to grow new basal shoots.
Conophytums only need to be watered every 2-3 weeks during their winter growing cycle, and more frequently (daily) if kept under moderately bright conditions (such as on a windowsill). Under low light conditions, watering should be reduced further. It is generally safe to water once per week or less.
Fertilizer
Fertilizer should be applied every 15 days with a diluted amount.
Be careful not to over-fertilize, as this can burn the plant’s roots and lead to its death.
Temperature
This plant can tolerate cold temperatures but should be kept away from freezing temperatures. The plant can survive snow and frost if it is covered by soil or snow during the winter. The ideal temperature range is 5-15 degrees Celsius.
Humidity
Although this plant is capable of withstanding humidity, it may benefit from misting or fogging. The ideal humidity range is 40-80%.
Pruning
Trimming is necessary to keep plants looking their best and most importantly to increase airflow. This buildup of dead material can harbor disease, rot, give insects a place to overwinter, create the ideal environment for pests, etc. If you are growing conophytum in rock crevices or grids that are difficult for you to reach then it is a good idea to remove dead material from the rock as well as the plant.
This should be your first step in spring as soon as you notice growth starting, but it can be done anytime that you want to give your plants a fresher appearance.
Trim off any dead leaves or stems, shorten old ones and cut back any fat or leggy growth.
When to repot
Conophytums generally prefer to be repotted every year. The conophytum are shallow rooted, so the soil dries quickly, especially if you water often. If you don’t want to wait for them to make new roots at the surface of the potting mix, it’s best to repot more frequently.
There are three main reasons to repot:
- It sometimes happens that the roots become rotten and drop away from the plant, leaving only a clump of soil in the pot;
- It is important to be able to add or remove the soil when your plants grow too large for the container they’re in;
- When you re-pot, new roots will grow and the plant will become healthier. If the old soil is compacted and dry, you should wash it to remove any debris and add fresh soil, before gently working your plant free of its pot.
Repotting Procedure
You should use a very sharp knife or scissors to cut through the Conophytum pellucidum roots. The crown of your plant consists of four fleshy leaves. You can remove or cut them in order to prevent rot when you work with the roots.
The chances of rotting actually depend on how much sun your plant gets, not just moisture management. If they are in full sun it is important to water less, but if they’re in part or low light then it’s okay to keep them watered.
When you repot your conophytum, they will usually shrink away from the sides of the pot. If this is the case, gently squeeze or press on the sides of the container to loosen it up a bit before removing it completely. The plant will also contract when it’s dry, so make sure you water thoroughly after repotting to settle the conophytum in its new home. This will encourage it to re-root and give you a little more time before having to do it all again.
Dormancy
Conophytum pellucidum has a natural dormancy that MUST be respected. In the wild it lies dormant from October to April/May (start of autumn) and wakes up in spring.
Watering should be stopped in autumn (but if they are protected from frost, then that is not applicable). They go into this state of dormancy completely. During that time they prefer to stay dry and just rest for about four months. It is only when the days grow longer again that they wake up and start growing.
Spring is when it grows, but depending on the amount of rain in autumn, there might be no rain during spring so you have to water them regularly. Do not keep the soil constantly wet though because this will cause root rot.
Autumn is also a good time to divide your conophytum pellucidum, if you wish to divide them, and also to collect seeds because that is when they are ripe.
Flowers & Fragrance
Small bell-shaped flowers often spotted with brownish lines, they open from pink to white. This species has a strong fragrance that is released early in the morning and after rain showers.
Growth rate
Conophytum pellucidum is a very slow-growing species that will stay tiny for many years. Only when it has found a good place to grow and is not disturbed by digging or water fluctuations, its growth rate picks up and the plant will slowly start to expand over time.
Till then, do not remove offsets as they will not set roots and it is better to leave them attached.
Do not feed the plant when it does not grow. This species stores water in its leaves, inflorescences, and even dead leaves that stay attached to the plant for a long time. When it feeds, the stored nutrients will get used up quickly and can result in leaf loss.
Toxicity
Conophytum pellucidum is generally considered to be safe for any animal that can eat it. It’s not poisonous, but it’s also not very nourishing so animals don’t seek it out as food.
Although they may chew on the plant occasionally, they won’t target it over other plants – it just doesn’t provide enough nutrition or water to make it worth the while!
However, even if your animal does chew on it, they probably won’t get sick. The skin of the plant is very bitter and chalky; this bitter taste is what makes it unappealing to most animals, but also means that it’s unlikely to cause any stomach troubles when ingested.
As long as you don’t eat it yourself, your animal will find conophytum pellucidum very unpalatable!
USDA Hardiness Zones
The USDA hardiness zones for this plant are 9 and up. This plant does well in warmer climates, as it’s native to South Africa.
Pests and diseases
Conophytum pellucidum is susceptible to many pests, diseases, etc. that are common for succulents. The most serious threat to the plant is root rot from overwatering or under watering, or not enough drainage/aeration in the soil mix. Signs of overwatering include soft-spongy plump leaves collapsed plant bodies, and yellowing or rotting of roots.
Signs of underwatering include shriveled leaves, wrinkled segments (especially at the tips) with wrinkles transversing almost to the apex (or top pointed part), and dried-up blackened stem tissue.
Pests include mealybugs, gnats, thrips, various scale insects (such as the cottony cushion scale), and nematodes.
Borers (grubs that eat stems) are another common pest for succulents. Repellant sprays may be used to kill them. Eriophyid mites can infest conophytum pellucidum, but they are not too harmful.
