Synonyms:

Didierea comosa

Habitat:

Alluaudia comosa’s native habitat is the southwestern area of Madagascar.Our succulent can be found in the plateau calcaire characterized by a limestone-based geological composition.Temperatures range from 11° to 29° degrees. The alluaudia comosa to live best in this environment has acquired several characteristics such as: the strong and pointed spines that create a defense from animals,the woody and branched stem that allows it to reach sun and light, the leaves that serve to maintain water for periods of drought as well as the roots that reaching deep. To survive in such an extreme environment Alluaudia loses its leaves during the dry season to minimize water transpiration.

Description:

Alluaudiacomosa reaches a height of about 3 to 5 meters.It consists of a slender stem that branches quickly.Each branch is characterized by strong pointed thorns up to 4cm long of gray color that usually arise in pairs and are spaced 2-3 cm apart. Its bark is dull greenish-brown or grayish in color.The climate to which our plant is accustomed is arid and dry and consequently leads it to have a trunk capable of holding water. Our Alluaudia unlike the other species in the genus develops a compact growthwith the branches intertwining with each other creating fascinating shapes.

FLOWERS:
Inflorescences we can only see them in adult specimens in the summer period.
The flowers are yellow or green in perfect harmony with its leaves.

FRUITS:
The fruits of Alluaudiacomosa do not have a real name, they are called “capsules” precisely because of their elongated and cylindrical formula.Their length varies from 3 the 6 meters. Their color is typically yellow.These “capsules” contain seeds, and once ripe they fall from Alluaudia dispersing with the wind.

Cultivation:

SUN EXPOSURE:
Needs full sun and good air circulation. Alluaudia comosa placed outdoors thrives best in full sun conditions, where it can receive unfiltered, direct sunlight for most of the day, away from larger plants that might cast significant shade, in a place where temperatures never drop below 15 degrees. If, on the other hand, you wish to place it indoors, make sure it receives plenty of light for several hours during the day. It is perfectly fine to place it near a window that faces either south or east. Light is crucial for Alluaudia’s growth and health, as it strengthens stem development and improves photo synthetic efficiency. In nature, our plant has evolved to be highly adaptable to intense light exposure, however, this characteristic cannot be applied to plants you buy from nurseries that grow in protected environments optimal for their growth as they may burn easily if exposed to strong sunlight, which is why we always advise you to gradually accustom them to direct sun. Signs of stress due to excessive sun exposure are: slowed growth and/or bleaching of leaves.

TEMPERATURES:
Ideal temperatures should be between 20 °C and 30 °C with winter temperatures around 15 °C. In the wild Alluaudia comosa is accustomed to high heat, as temperatures in the Madagascar area reach as high as 35 degrees in summer. It also tolerates low temperatures as low as 10 degrees for a short period of time as long as the humidity is very low. In winter you should put it under cover in dry places with good air circulation and low humidity. In spring and summer you can also put it outside so that it takes rainwater as it is rich in nitrogen and free of chlorine it improves the health of the plant. Exposure to natural light fortifies the plant, toughens the epidermis, stimulates photosynthesis, and the natural air flow helps prevent fungal and mealybug infections. In cold weather, Alluaudia may show stunted growth or leaf drop, while excessive heat can lead to dehydration and discoloration. To mitigate these effects, be sure to provide adequate temperature during cold snaps and offer sufficient water and shade during heat waves. Understanding these tolerances helps create a balanced care strategy, optimizing the overall health and growth of Alluaudia comosa.

FERTILIZATION:
Fertilize once a year. Alluaudia comosa does not require frequent fertilization; it is recommended to use fertilizer once a year with the beginning of the growing season in order to allow healthy growth of the plant. It needs high-nitrogen fertilizers to support its stems. Gradually introduce fertilizers to young Alluaudia plants , increasing as they mature. Monitor soil moisture before application to improve nutrient uptake, use caution to avoid direct contact with the body of Alluaudia comosa to avoid damage. Manure and fertilizers accelerate plant growth and if used too often can damage the plant. Unnatural and forced growth adversely affects the plant’s bearing, hardiness and resistance making it susceptible to many diseases. Its beautiful trunks can grow weak and elongate unnaturally and develop epidermal tears. Better to opt for natural growth while respecting the life cycle of this succulent. There fore, it is very important to stop fertilizing throughout the winter when the plant is in its dormant state.

SOIL:
Use a well-draining potting soil. The proper potting soil for Allaudia comosa is a specific potting soil for succulents, mixed in equal parts with pumice and volcanic lapilli, not very peaty but draining so that the plant’s roots can grow freely in the soil .The very draining potting soil allows the roots to dry quickly between waterings, preventing the creation of water stagnation and consequently rot. To further aid water drainage you can add a layer of inert materials such as pumice or lapilli of small grain size in the bottom of the pot (always drilled), this additional draining layer helps to drain excess water. These techniques prevent water stagnation and prevent root rot to which the plant is prone. It should be remembered that Alluaudia in nature grows in very poor soils, which is why it does not require the overly rich potting soils.

WATERING:
For optimal care, Alluaudia comosa should be watered every 10 days during the growing season, discontinue during dormant season. Given the arid climates of its native Madagascar, Alluaudia comosa requires minimal watering, thriving in low humidity environments. Its succulent nature allows it to conserve water efficiently, making it drought-resistant. Watering can be done regularly in the growing season, always checking that the soil is completely dry before watering again and that the excess water has drained out of the pot holes; for this reason, do not use saucers, which block water drainage, and if you decide to use them, it is of paramount importance not to leave water stagnating in the saucer after watering, you must immediately empty the saucer of the water it contains.
During the period of vegetative rest, you must suspend watering to allow the plant to enter its dormant period. During its dormant period, however, the plant needs a bright and airy location with few temperature changes.

POTTING:
First of all, if the pot starts to be too small for the plant, you can repot it in a pot that is a few inches wider. It is important not to use too large pots as they lead the plant to an unbalanced growth and you risk the roots getting stuck in their development that is also why repotting should be done at the beginning of the growing season. During the repotting procedure, it is very important to use new potting soil and replace part of the old one; by doing so, the substrate will always have fresh nutrients, maintain the right degree of deaeration and help the roots grow stronger and more robust. By removing the old soil also helps the plant to rid itself of salts and toxins accumulated from watering and fertilizing over time.
Initially we remove the plant from the pot, checking that the roots have not grown so much that they have come out of the holes or become stuck in them, in which case cut them off. Next you shake the roots to free them from the old soil, trying to clean out the soil attached to the roots. During this stage it is very important to check that the roots are healthy, and that they are free of disease or root mealybug. Afterwards put the plant back in the slightly larger pot, adding the new potting soil (always specific soil for succulents mixed with equal parts pumice and lapilli)and pot it up. Very important is to water a week after repotting so that it has time to integrate with the new potting soil. This also allows the roots we cut to heal.

DISEASES AND PESTS:

The main pests are:

MEALYBUG:
To prevent mealybug from appearing, it is very important to keep the plant in a very airy place , with constant air circulation and little humidity in the environment. In fact, mealybug proliferates in warm and humid places. To ensure healthy growth of the plant you can preventively treat it once a year with a specific insecticide. If you notice mealybug on your succulent plant, the first thing to do is to isolate it from others, as mealybug can attack neighboring plants. What you need to get rid of it is a Q-tip or a cloth soaked in alcohol.It is recommended to unseed the plant, remove all the potting soil and check the roots thoroughly. Use a specific broad-spectrum mealybug insecticide, you can use it as a spray if the mealybug has attacked the apex, stem or flowers, however, be sure to avoid sun exposure to the plant in the first few days after treatment.
You can also opt for a granular insecticide to put in the soil that will slowly dissolve with watering; this is best in spring and summer when watering is more constant and frequent . Once cleaned and treated repot the plant with a completely new potting soil, throw away all the old potting soil because it may contain traces of mealybug not visible to the naked eye, it is also recommended to use a new pot because mealybug residues may stick to the pot walls and infect the plant again. If you prefer to use natural remedies instead, you can spray the plant with neem oil diluted with water; this is a natural treatment that should be repeated once a week until the mealybug disappears.

FUNGAL DISEASES:

The main causes of fungal diseases are:
poorly ventilated environment, poorly draining soil or excess water.
If you notice dark spots on the epidermis, rot or mold in some parts of your succulent plant or if the plant is not growing in a balanced and harmonious way, it may be that it has suffered a fungal attack, in these cases use a specific fungicide, preferably after sunset as the strong sun can even burn the parts of the plant that have been treated. As an alternative to chemicals, you can use copper or neem oil, which, in addition to being an excellent insecticide, also works well as a fungicide. To prevent your plant from getting sick you can do these things:
Place the plant in a ventilated place with constant air circulation, dry and low humidity. Do not overwater as these plants are used to long periods of drought.
The potting soil to be used should be specific for succulents, enriched with pumice, lapilli, agri-perlite that allow proper water drainage.To prevent Alluaudia’s collar rot use pumice or lapilli of small grain size, place it all around it,this little trick helps to keep the plant’s collar drier as water does not stagnate at the base; thus preventing rot ,always use new or sterilized pots for transplanting. Do not go overboard with fertilizers because frequent fertilizing leads to forced and excessive growth which weakens your Allaudia and as a result it becomes weaker and much more prone to rot. To ensure the plant’s healthy growth you can preventively treat it once a year with fungicide.

EZIOLATION:
In the absence of sufficient light, the plant ‘spins,’ stretching in an unhealthy way in search of light. You may notice that the plant starts ‘spinning’ if its stems, especially the apex, are fine and yellowed and the stem shows signs of weakness by taking on a thinner elongated shape. In such cases, it is advisable to change the plant’s location by finding a brighter place that provides indirect sunlight for several hours throughout the day. In winter, when days are shorter and light is scarce, place Alluaudia ascendens near a window or pane that is not obscured by curtains or blinds so as to ensure sufficient sun and light. To ensure even stem growth, rotate the plant regularly so that all parts of the plant are evenly exposed to the sun.

AFIDS:
These are pests that move from plant to plant, so if our plant has been in contact with another plant that harbors aphids, it is very likely that they have moved onto it as well. If you notice aphids among the leaves and stems of the plant, it is important to isolate it from the others. As a natural remedy you can use neem oil diluted with water by spraying it over the entire surface of the plant. You can also prepare a mixture made of marseille soap and water to spray on the plant.
If natural remedies are not enough, you can use a Systemic Insecticide that will kill the aphids.

Propagation:

Alluaudia comosa is propagated through cuttings, a method suited to its growth habits. To ensure successful propagation, cut healthy stems, preferably from mature plants, and allow the cut surface to heal before planting in well-drained soil; maintain appropriate moisture levels without flooding the plant with water.
When your cutting is in the pot or container be sure to expose it to indirect sunlight and a temperature of approximately 25 degrees in an environment with good air circulation to help the roots develop properly. The important thing is to regularly check the soil for proper moisture, as overwatering or too little hydration can affect the success of propagation. After about 3 to 6 weeks, the first roots will form.

Curiosity:

1. Alluaudia comosa anciently consisted of only leaves of which most with the passage of time turned into thorns to provide the plant with effective protection against animals.
2. It demonstrates very high survival and adaptability since in the wild it can grow even in soils where heavy metals such as nickel and chromium are present.
3. It has developed a thick bark that protects it from very intense heat.
4. Alluaudiacomosa’s leaves change shape as they grow, as small they are rounder and fleshier while as adults they become flatter and harder.
5. Alluaudia uses its spines to deflect airflow, creating mini turbulence that helps its trunk stay cool.

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