Cerochlamys
Family: Aizoaceae
Habitat: South Africa and Cape province.
Cultivation: Cerochlamys are easy to cultivate. They require plenty of sunlight and very little care. They are often used as mapping plants for their creeping habit.
Curiosity: Many classifications consider the Cerochlamys as a monospeciphical genus, in which just C. pachyphylla is included. Others classify also other species in the genus Cerochlamys.
KEY FEATURES
The genus Cerochlamys includes a few small Aizoaceas, native from Southern Africa: they are one or four species, depending on the classification system adopted. These dwarf plants are just a few centimeters tall but very tough, capable to survive also in really poor soils.
As many Aizoaceas, they have succulent leaves with a triangular section, cludgel-shaped, which grow on very short stems in opposite couple, namely on opposite sides of the stems (never more than 4-5 couples of leaves for each stem). When they grow old, leaves slightly darken, becoming of a gloomy green that emphasizes the bright colour of the flowers.
The most appreciated features in Cerochlamys, in fact, are their flowers, as well as their mapping attitude. Flowers are big, daisy-shaped, have long petals, colored in different tinges of violet. Blossoming occurs in different seasons depending on the species, from Spring until late Autumn. They last several weeks.
VARIETY AND TYPES
Many classifications consider the Cerochlamys as a monospeciphical genus, in which just C. pachyphylla is included. Others classify also other species in the genus Cerochlamys. Here below are some species of Cerochlamys. Try to check our online shop in the section “Cerochlamys” to find them!
- C. gemina
- C. pachyphylla
- C. purpureostyla
- C. trigona
TIPS FOR GROWING
Here below are some tips to cultivate your Cerochlamys:
Sun Exposure:
For Cerochlamys, a full exposure to sunlight is recommended. They actually resist also in half-sun spots.
Temperature:
Maintain your Cerochlamys in position with temperatures never below 6-8ºC
Watering:
Water every 3-4 days with plenty of water, but always waiting for the soil to dry up before watering again.
Fertilization:
Fertilize every month using a specifical product for succulents, using half the dosage recommended in the package.
Substrate:
They adapt to poor soils, sandy or rocky.
Repotting:
Choose large and not so deep pots, because this plant tend to expand in all directions.
Propagation:
Cerochlamys are propagated easily by branch cuttings. Plant the cutting in a sandy, humid substrate, protecting it from direct solar rays until it puts roots.