Publication: Cact. Succ. J. (Los Angeles) 65(3): 123. 1993
Description
Delosperma sphalmanthoides is a small compact cold-hardy ice-plant (the smallest species in the genus). This is truly a gem of the plant world, with minuscule, blue-green, fingerlike leaves held upward in a small cushion that may grow to 2,5 in height and 20-30 cm in diameter. The crowded cylindrical leaves are covered in spring by purple flowers.
Habit: It is a perennial succulent which makes a tight mat resembling a small blue-green sea anemone that has anchored itself in the ground.
Leaves: Tiny finger-like, plump, blue-gray.
Flowers: Spidery fuchsia-colored.
Blooming season: Flowers in very early spring. The flower buds become visible in December and excessive dryness after this point leads to poor flower development.
Origin and Habitat
South Africa (Komsberg Mtns of the Cape Province)
Habitat: It is a high altitude alpine cushion plant from the mountains of the Winter rainfall area of South Africa and cold hardy. It is found in pockets of gravely soil on a massive high altitude rock outcropping. II needs moisture all year round but definitely goes semi-dormant in summer.
Cultivation and Propagation
Delosperma is a genus that require very little maintenance. Delosperma sphalmanthoides 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 severe frost (hardiness to -18° C or even less) and can be planted out of doors in northern hemisphere rock-gardens (USDA zone 4 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.
Repotting: 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 and can form a groundcover within a short period, 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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Leo J. Chance “Cacti and Succulents for Cold Climates: 274 Outstanding Species for Challenging Conditions” Timber Press, 19/giu/2012
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Gwen Moore Kelaidis “Hardy Succulents: Tough Plants for Every Climate” Storey Publishing, 01/mar/2012
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Heidrun E. K. Hartmann “Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Aizoaceae A-E” Springer, 2002
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Stuart Max Walters “The European Garden Flora: Dicotyledons (Part I)” Cambridge University Press, 1989
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Smith, G. F.; Chesselet, P.; Van Jaarsveld, E. J.; Hartmann, H.; Hammer, S.; Van Wyk, B.-E.; Burgoyne, P.; Klak, C.; & Kurzweil, H. “Mesembs of the world.” Briza Publications, Pretoria. 1998
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