Growing mesembs part 2 - grassland mesembs, featuring the Delosperma family
As the title suggests, these plants aren't found in semi-desert areas but in grasslands along the interior and Eastern part of South Africa where there is higher rainfall but drought is common and they are thus adapted to be drought resistant, but cannot thrive in semi-desert environments. Many are also termed nursery plants, meaning that they grow in the shade of grass clumps, bushes or trees.
A common mistake with growing Delosperma is under watering, not over watering, so it really pays to research the origins of mesemb species that you want to try and grow instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach based on the assumption that all mesembs are semi-desert plants. If the grassland mesembs are underwatered, the stems become woody and die and then the whole plant dies off.
Pickle plant, Delosperma echinatum, looks like it needs a shave
The largest genus of grassland mesembs are the Delosperma and any plant you acquire labelled delosperma likes morning sun only. All succulents need bright light, but most do not thrive if they are exposed to full sun the whole day.
This Ice plant, aka Delosperma lehmmanii isn't looking good because although it only gets morning sun, it's been extremely hot and I repotted it in the hope that it would lose the wrinkled look. Although many succulent growers keep their plants in terracotta pots, I find terracotta dries the soil out too fast in my climate and I only keep cacti and Euphorbia species in unglazed terracotta pots.
Compared to other mesembs, Delosperma is easy to grow and great for beginners to try because many of the desert mesembs are ridiculously easy to kill. Growing these restore confidence if you have had one too many mesembs die on you. If your climate permits, the mat forming vygies make a great groundcover in the garden
Nice pics..
Please go and self-upvote your comments for large amounts somewhere else
Very interesting plants from Africa.
excellent post! Upvoted and rebloged
Thanks!
great photos
Thank you!
You have a great little collection. I do have a big soft spot fo succulents..
The last photo resembles the coastal pig face more that I sent
This is a cute looking plant, I like its prickly hair.
How about that, I would not have guessed under watering would be a problem. This is why I do not have a green thumb.
Green thumbs are a easily acquired: education, observation and responsiveness to a plants needs ;) Like Soju, they can't talk, but observation lets you know what they need
hehehe nice analogy, although Soju meows at me when I forget to feed her or she comes for cuddles when she is cold. I tend to get easily distracted. I've popped plants outside to get some sunlight for a couple of hours. Then I forget to bring them in.
I like to think that keeping plants and animals teaches mindfulness
What good comments you have here friend, you can tell that they are lovers of plants these users ;) I'm from Venezuela, the climate here is tropical, do you think it's suitable for those plants?
It depends on the humidity. Most people who grow succulents in a tropical climate use very well-draining soil and don't use much compost or other organic matter in the soil
thank you for to answer. Generally I like to grow ornamental plants, those that are beautiful and difficult to get, cactus, ferns, orchids, roses, coves, which can be kept at home and decorate the environment. It's because I don't have a lot of land where I live, but if it were up to me I'd have a lot of acres full of plants. :)
sigueme amigo te sigo
Nice series, a continuation of yesterdays post.