Publication: J. S. African Bot. 25: 259 1959
Description
Delosperma esterhuyseniae is a free flowering compact caespitose shrublet, with stems covered by old leaves. It is only an a few centimeters tall but flowers all summer. Unlike most species of this genus, which tend to be rather rampant groundcovers or shrubs, this is a diminutive, compact, plant.
Stems: Its branches up to 3 mm in cross-section, spread about 3-5 cm from a central rootstock but are hidden by rosettes of leaves. Base enclosed by hardened old leaves.
Roots: It has woody roots.
Leaves: Subclavate, erect, apex rounded about 15-30 mm long, , 4-5 mm broad and thick, minutely papillate dark green or blush reddish in bright light.
Blooming Habits: Flowers solitary, bright white, 11-35 mm in diameter. Pedicel 7 mm, in fruits to 26 mm 1ong. Filamentous staminodes absent, filaments white.
Fruits (capsules): About 9 mm in diameter with high rims on valves. The more narrow valve wings are not very common in Delosperma.
Blooming season: Summer (Novenber-March).
Seeds: Almost round, pale brown, about 1 mm broad.
Origin and Habitat
South Africa, Western Cape (Cape Province: Adams Kraal, Uniondale, Humansdorp and Langkloof)
Altitude range: Around 700 metres above sea level:
Habitat and Ecology: Delosperma esterhuyseniae grows in rock crevices and cups on quartzitic sandstone cliffs at middle altitude. The species is predominantly winter-growing but benefits from some summer water. It shares its habitat with other cliff-dwelling plants such as Bulbine cremnophila, Cyrtanthus montanus, Cyrtanthus labiatus, Haworthia gracilis var. picturata, Haworthia viscosa, Plectranthus verticillatus, Othonna lobata, Cotyledon tomentosa, Adromischus cristatus var. Zeyheri and Albuca cremnophila.
Cultivation and Propagation
Delosperma is a genus that require very little maintenance. Delosperma esterhuyseniae seems to do best in rocks crevices, where it has a cool root run. In fact, growing with rocks slows the heating and cooling of the soil and provides sharp drainage and additional water at the same time. However, it is a good container plant too.
Watering: Although they are succulent they need plenty of water. Treating them like other succulents with limited watering will cause their untimely death.
Hardiness: This species can withstand frost (hardiness to -7° C or even less) and can be planted out of doors in northern hemisphere rock-gardens (USDA zone 6 to 8).
Exposure: They seems to enjoy a hot, full sun position in the rockery, where winter snows melt quickly.
Fertilization: Fertilizing this plant really isn’t needed as it’s already a voracious grower. However, a liquid 10-10-10 diluted to half strength or a cactus fertilizer once a month during spring and summer can benefit the plant.
Repoting: Make sure to repot during its more active period, starting in spring.
Soil: They need well drained soil with less organic material; extra pumice or perlite provides excellent drainage essential to these type of plants.
Pot culture: Plants in pots prefer light afternoon shade in hottest summer days while during the winter they can be watered less often, about every 2-3 weeks. Inside they grow fine on windowsills, and will even bloom, if they get enough direct sunlight.
Propagation: Offsets that form at the base are the easiest way to propagate it, cuttings root readily, but seeds are also an options. Seeds germinate in 7-14 days at 21°C. If they start to rot there is usually part of the plant that can be removed and possibly rooted.
Bibliography
Major references and further lectures
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Heidrun E.K. Hartmann “Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Aizoaceae A-E” Springer, 2002
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Burgoyne, P.M. 2006. Delosperma esterhuyseniae L.Bolus. National Assessment: “Red List of South African Plants” version 2014.1. Accessed on 2014/07/12
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Peter Goldblatt “Cape Plants: A Conspectus of the Cape Flora of South Africa” National Botanical Institute of South Africa, 2000