Description
Pachypodium lamerei var. fiherense (Pachypodium fiherense) is an undescribed name (nomen nudum - Abbreviation n. n. A title lacking valid description). This name is commonly used for compact growing or morphologycal form of Pachypodium lamerei from Atsimo, eastern Toliara. This variety remains small and flowers at a young age and produces sweet scented white flowers with a yellow throat.
Origin and Habitat
Atsimo, eastern Toliara, Madagascar.
Cultivation and Propagation
Is fairly easy to grow both indoors, as well as outdoors in warm climates. In the winters it is deciduous, except in very tropical areas. Needs a draining cactus potting mix and regular water when the plant has leaves, contrary to popular belief, it likes a lot of water in the warm summers, as long as it’s planted in a very well draining soil. Indoors it is best to err on the dry side, or it is prone to rot. It like full sun to light shade with warm temperatures.
It is a fairly slow growing plant, but in 10 years it can easily outgrow its indoor location, requiring a ‘pruning’. Though branching is usually a response to naturaly injury, or something that happens in older specimens, one can stimulate branching by cutting off its top. It has amazing regenerative properties.
Repot the plant every 3 years; this is quite tricky given all the spines. The best way is to wrap several layers of newspaper around the trunk where it is to be handled.
Propagation: Seeds or division.
Fresh seeds results in a remarkable yield of new plants, perhaps 90%, Soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours before sowing in moist sand. Seed start sprouting in just 3-4 days ( but continue to germinate erratically for about 6 month) They are also propagated by removal of small offshoots that grow at the base of the old plant. Carefully break off the offshoots, they should be allowed to dry for 5 to 8 days before potting up.
