Conophytum hians Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
Origin and Habitat: South Africa, Northern Cape (Little Namaqualand)
Habitat: Often growing in association together with Crassula deceptorSN|12127]]SN|12127]].
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Conophytum hians
back
Accepted name in llifle Database:Conophytum hians N.E.Br.Gard. Chron. 3, 81: 32 1927Synonymy: 7
back
Description: It is a tight dwarf mat forming species. In cultivation it is a fast clumper that produces too many bodies in a rush. This habit persists even with the sparsest watering.
Body (paired leaves): Minute, 5-10(-18) mm large, 3-9 mm thick, and about 2-6 mm tall, ovoid to wedged, shortly bi-lobed above (the fissure is deep and divides the body in two), cylindric below and sharply keeled, pale green, pinkish or grey-green, unspotteted, smooth or velvety and slightly pubescent (with Corduroy papillae often in vertical rows). Sheath pale tan, fuzzy, impersistent and often becoming powdery.
Flowers: up to 15 mm long, variable in colour, cream-white, pink, straw yellow, coppery-red or purple.
Conophytum hians Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli Conophytum hians Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli Conophytum hians Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli Conophytum hians Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli Cultivation and Propagation: They are among the easiest species to grow and have the fame to be indestructible but rarely floriferous in cultivation. These plants grow on winter rain and head for summer dormancy. Water must be given very sparingly or they will become bloated and otherwise their epidermis breaks (resulting in unsightly scars). Water minimally in summer, (only occasional misting ), but it will generally grow even in summer if given water. Water regularly in winter after the previous year's leaves have dried up. Requiregood drainage. Keep them cool and shaded in summer, they need full sun or light shade. Hardy to -2°C. Ensure a very good ventilation. Avoid to repot frequently. This plants may stay in the same pot for many years.
Propagation: They can be reproduced both by cuttings and seeds. Take the cutting from a grown-up mother plant. Each cutting must contain one or more heads along with a fraction of root.