La Delosperma Echinatum. is a succulent plant belonging to the family of the Aizoaceae along with 100 other species that are native to Africa, specifically the East and South.
It is defined as a subshrub that develops on the edge of other shrubs and also streams, specifically in much of South Africa. Is it is a quite original plant, beautiful, showy and very easy to grow.
Features Delosperma Echinatum.
Delosperma is a perennial species that grows 30 to 45 cm tall. The subshrub usually forms a fairly broad base as a kind of stump and just below the roots are long, robust and usually quite deep. Branches develop in no specific orderThey are small and erect and have many branches. Stems and leaves are covered with non-thorny hairs and both in the natural habitat or at home when conditions are favorable, the plant keeps as many leaves as possible and looks lush and compact.
According to the amount of light the plant receives, the color of the leaves may varyThus, when they receive direct sunlight for many hours, they acquire a purple tone, while in the semi-shade their color varies from green to bluish.
The leaves reach dimensions of approximately 2,5 in length, The surface is provided with a series of papillae that are the base and in terms of shape, it is between rounded and ovoid. They are also opposite and it is usual that they do not allow the visibility of the stems because they are abundant, only when low light or drought causes them to fall do they become visible.
The stems in addition to being covered by these small white hairs, have a series of small bumps along the length and rounded, which resemble blisters which are filled with water, these are thin.
The flowers are very small and develop nested in the hollow or armpit provided by the leaves located at the end of the stems. They are provided with many stamens and cone-shaped petals, the color is bright yellow or cream, grow solitary.
In mid-spring the inflorescences begin to appear sporadically and so they stay well into the summer. If the flower is fertilized small fruits with many seeds are originated.
Farming
Starting from that it is able to tolerate moderate frosts with temperatures down to -3º or -4º C, in case the temperatures are a little lower, they should be offered additional protection against humidity and cold.
In general, it is strong enough to be grown outdoors in environments with a temperate and moderate climate, preferably in a pot which must be very deep because the roots tend to develop a lot and downwards.
You will need a substrate composed of garden soil mixed with gravel with silt or failing that, some sand, which will make this soil sufficiently drained, which is what the plant requires.
The plant needs direct sunlight for several hours a day, then it can remain in the semi-shade, this will allow the leaves to remain vigorous and abundant and of their characteristic color, making the Delosperma Echinatum. a very compact and beautiful plant.
Two important things to keep in mind. The first, that After frost, when taking it outside, it must be protected from direct sun the first two or three days, since you can burn it. The second is that in summer you have to water it frequently but always letting the substrate dry between each watering.
The plant's off season is in SeptemberDue to the onset of winter, in this period it is vital to avoid prolonged exposure to rain because excess water favors root rot.
The multiplication of the plant is done in two ways, by cutting or obtaining cuttings, being the propitious months for the multiplication are May, June and July. Branch pieces are taken whose base is lignified just in this period when the leaves are at the maximum swollen.
The next thing is to place these pieces that must be devoid of leaves on the substrate, buried along where it is vital that the substrate is of a sandy consistency and is moistened.
The second way is through seeds, these are arranged on the surface of the moistened substrate where the favorable environmental temperature is between 20 and 30º C, thus germination will take place in a maximum of two weeks.
After germinating, the humidity must be more controlled, so it is necessary to alternate between periods of short duration of humidity and drought. The best month to plant the seeds is May in the Northern Hemisphere.
Uses
Due to the structure that the plant naturally forms where its branches tend to hang down, they are perfect for placing in raised pots where they can spread down and look lovely.
Let's remember that this is a fleshy plant and therefore the best care you can give it is to avoid overwatering it as this damages the plant to the point of completely rotting it.
When healthy the leaves are abundant and look swollen, this is due to its high capacity to retain liquid, which they use to withstand and overcome droughts for prolonged periods.
This particularity is what means that it does not require continuous watering, even when it is summer where these must be very moderate. In autumn they should be limited even more and in winter just a little and depending on their location.
Avoid applying fertilizers in excess, it is recommended to do it once a month and with special products for succulents. It is important not to apply any type of fertilizer during the fall.
In summary, we are talking about a perennial plant that has ornamental value So it will look very pretty on terraces and gardens, it is also quite easy to care because basically it does not need a soil full of nutrients, nor excessive watering and by providing it with sunlight it will always look great.