Distinctive features of delosperm, advice on care and planting in a garden, recommendations for reproduction, difficulties in the growing process, interesting facts, species.
Delosperma is a plant that belongs to the rather large Aizoaceae family. It unites about 146 genera and contains 2271 species. Basically, for all representatives of the genus Delosperm, and their scientists have counted up to 175 units, the territories of South and East Africa are their native habitat. And only two varieties can be found on the islands of Madagascar and Reunion.
| Family name | Aizovye |
| Life cycle | Perennial |
| Growth features | Semi-shrub or ground cover |
| Reproduction | Seed or cuttings |
| Landing period in open ground | Saplings are planted in spring |
| Disembarkation scheme | About 40-50 cm are left between the seedlings |
| Substrate | Loose, drained, poor, sandy with added gravel |
| Soil acidity, pH | Neutral - 6, 5-7 |
| Illumination | Well-lit place, warm, without flooding by melt and groundwater |
| Moisture indicators | Watering is rare and careful |
| Special Requirements | Unpretentious |
| Plant height | 0, 1–0, 3 m |
| Color of flowers | Snow-white, yellow, pinkish, scarlet, salmon, lilac or purple. |
| Type of flowers, inflorescences | Single flowers, simple or double |
| Flowering time | Spring-summer |
| Decorative time | Spring-autumn |
| Place of application | Ground cover, rock gardens, rockeries, garden containers |
| USDA zone | 4(6)–9 |
This representative of the flora bears its name due to the fusion of two words in Greek: delos, which translates as "explicit" and sperma - meaning "seed". All this happened because the fruit of the delosperm is a rather large box filled with seeds. Also, the peculiarity of this succulent is that under the rays of the sun, miniature calcium crystals stand out on its surface, gleaming and resembling ice floes or crystal chips, therefore the plant is popularly called "ice". It is curious that this property is also found in other flowers growing on the African continent, for example, in the mesembryanthemum.
All plants that make up the genus Delosperm have the appearance of a succulent shrub or ground cover. Their height is small - within 10–30 cm. The rhizome is characterized by fleshiness and good branching in order to draw moisture and nutrients from the depths of the soil. Elongated thin filamentous processes extend from the roots, on which small oblong-shaped nodules are formed.
The stems are fleshy, capable of retaining a large amount of moisture, which helps to withstand drought. They easily bend to the ground, forming a "carpet" covering. The foliage is also fleshy, green, dark green or bluish. The shape of the leaves is lanceolate, with a bend, the thickness is about 4 mm. There are species in which the foliage surface can be smooth and fleecy.
The flowering period for delosperm begins in late spring and extends to September. In this case, all the stems become densely covered with blossoming flowers. Their petals are elongated, with a pointed tip at the top. The arrangement can be simple in one row or terry, then there are several rows. In the central part of the flower, a "ball" is formed from the petals, which makes the core seem more voluminous. The color of the flowers of the ice plant is snow-white, yellow, pinkish, scarlet, salmon, lilac or purple. There are succulents in which different colors merge in a gradient - the edge and base can have different shades. When fully expanded, the diameter of the flower is approximately 7 cm.
Like many plants of the Azizov family, delosperma can cover its flowers if it is rainy weather or the sun just did not come out because of the clouds. But as soon as the direct rays illuminate the succulent again, the buds will instantly bloom.
As already mentioned, the fruit is a box that has many compartments (nests) inside. It is formed after the flower withers. If even a little moisture gets on it (dew or raindrops), then the fruit will open on its own, and small seed material (their size is smaller than poppy seeds) will scatter at a distance of one and a half meters from the mother plant.
Since many of the varieties can tolerate temperatures as low as -15 degrees, this succulent perennial is grown outdoors. If the winters are more severe, then the ice plant is used as an annual. It is customary to plant Delosperma in flower beds, in rock gardens and rockeries, and used as a ground cover.
Tips for the care and planting of delosperm, growing in a garden
- Choosing a landing site. Since the ice plant comes from the African continent, it is recommended to choose the warmest and sunniest place for it. Even direct sunlight will not be a problem for Delosperm. However, if you plant this succulent in shade, then the shoots will be very elongated, and the flowering will not be so abundant. Also, this representative of the Aizovs will grow badly in a flower bed flooded with ground, melt or rainwater.
- Soil for growing delosperm selected with neutral acidity (pH 6, 5-7). It is better that the soil is loose, allowing air and water to flow to the roots with ease. The substrate needs a poor, poor nutrient, such as it happens in nature. It is recommended to mix coarse sand or fine gravel into the soil.
- Landing. It is best to plant delosperma when the soil is warm enough and there will be no more frosts (late May or early June). Since in nature the succulent grows in a dry substrate, it is recommended to lay a drainage layer in the hole during planting to prevent waterlogging (for example, river sand or peat is taken, fine gravel or expanded clay can be used). Since delosperm seedlings can quickly grow root systems, they should be transplanted early so that there is plenty of room for branched rhizomes and shoots. It is necessary to leave up to 40-50 cm between the seedlings.
- Watering for delosperm carried out very carefully, since the plant is drought-resistant and does not accept waterlogging of the soil. They are required to be carried out only when there is no precipitation for a long time in the summer months. The soil is moistened after 2-3 days, if it is a little dry on top. It is important when watering that drops of water do not fall on the leaves and do not collect in the leaf axils, as this will inevitably lead to rotting of the succulent. If puddles remain on the substrate after watering, the root collar of the bush will begin to rot.
- Fertilizer. In order for the ice plant to develop actively, to bloom profusely and for a long time, top dressing is carried out with regularity once every 2-3 weeks. It is better to use complete mineral complexes such as Kemira Universal or Kemira Plus.
- Delosperm wintering. Since this green inhabitant of Africa is thermophilic, with the arrival of autumn spruce branches they cover him with fallen dry leaves or put a wooden box on top, constructing a stationary shelter. However, before this, a frame made of metal arcs is placed over the plants, on which a nonwoven material with a density of 60 or more is thrown (for example, spunbond). If there are frequent thaws and melting snow, the garden will be damp and slush, which means that even frost-resistant species can begin to deteriorate. Understandably, shelter is not required for those ice plants that are grown as annuals. Only in November is the soil digging and the removal of dead shoots carried out. If Delosperm was grown in a garden container, then it is transferred to a cool room with good lighting for the winter. In this case, watering must be significantly reduced, and also not to apply top dressing.
- Application in landscape design. Since Delosperma is able to decorate any flowerbed with its flowers and does not need to create special conditions when leaving, you can use it to form a green cover between the stones in the rock garden and rockery. Also, the shoots of the ice plant will green the balcony or any ampel composition. Petunias and lobelias, stonecrops and chitos will be good neighbors for delosperma; this succulent looks good next to conifers of low height and juniper bushes.
- How is the collection of delosperm seeds carried out? Since a ripe and dry boll cracks itself at the first rain or abundant dew and the seed falls out, it is better to cut off the fruits after the foliage has fallen off. It is important to dry them in a dry, but not heavily shaded place for seven days. With the arrival of spring, the seeds are removed from the boxes and used for reproduction.
Note
High humidity can also provoke the opening of the box.
Recommendations for reproduction of delosperm
The "ice plant" propagates by sowing seeds or rooting cuttings.
You can sow the collected / purchased seeds in open ground when the snow melts (approximately March-April) or in September-October, so to speak, before winter, so that they undergo natural stratification. In our latitudes, delosperm grows in the form of an annual, so this procedure will have to be dealt with annually. You can grow seedlings from seeds, as the resulting seedlings grow stronger and bloom a little earlier. Then sowing should be carried out in February or at the end of January.
To carry out natural stratification, peat with snowballs is poured into the container, and seeds are distributed over the top, without deepening. The melted snow permeates the substrate and the seeds begin to sink slightly into it. Then the container with the crops is covered with plastic wrap and placed in a cool place (it can be on the lower shelf of the refrigerator) for up to 14 days. After this time, the containers are removed and transferred to the glazed loggias (to keep it cool and light), the shelter is not removed for about 10-12 days.
After the first shoots appear, the polyethylene can be removed. Seedling care will consist in regular watering (spraying with a spray bottle) of the soil and loosening it. After deploying 2-3 pairs of real leaves on seedlings, you will need to pick young delosperms in separate pots with a diameter of 7 cm. When the threat of night and morning frosts (May-June) passes, the seedlings are transplanted to a prepared place in the garden. Before this, they spend a week preparing by hardening the plant. Containers with seedlings are exposed to the open air at first for 10-15 minutes, gradually increasing this time to around the clock.
Cutting delosperm can be done year-round if the plant grows indoors, or throughout the growing season. The tops should be separated from the shoots with a length of at least 10 cm and planted in separate pots with a diameter of 7-9 cm, filled with a peat-sand mixture. Then the cuttings are carefully watered and a cut plastic bottle is placed on top. Maintenance will consist of daily ventilation. If the soil begins to dry out, you need to carefully water the seedlings. It is important not to overmoisten the substrate, as this will provoke decay. When new leaves appear, then with the arrival of the end of May or the beginning of June, they are transferred to flower beds.
You can also wait for the formation of roots in the cuttings by placing them in a vessel with water. When the root shoots reach 1 cm, the seedlings are planted in pots in order to grow them a little. After 1, 5–2 months, transplantation into open ground is carried out.
Difficulties in the process of growing delosperm
If the rules for caring for an ice plant are not violated, then it is quite resistant to diseases and harmful insects. But when the soil is exposed to frequent waterlogging, rotting of the root collar occurs, then it is difficult to save the plant and it is better to try to renew it from cuttings.
The biggest problems when growing delosperm are:
- Aphid, which covers the stems and leaves of the succulent. The pests look like small green bugs, after which the entire surface of the half-shrub is covered with a sticky substance - paddy, the waste product of insects. If measures are not taken to combat aphids, then a sticky plaque can provoke the appearance of a sooty fungus.
- Mealybug manifests itself as whitish lumps resembling cotton wool. They cover the back of the leaf plates; the presence of a honeydew is also possible.
- Spider mitesucking nutritious juices from the plant. Then all the leaves acquire a yellow color and begin to fly around.
To control delosperm pests, it is recommended to spray with insecticidal agents, such as Aktara, Aktellik or Fitoverm. If you want milder preparations, then these harmful insects cannot stand tinctures from onion peels, garlic gruel or laundry soap. You can prepare a solution based on rosemary oil.
Curious facts about the delosperm flower
Interestingly, some varieties of the ice plant contain hallucinogens such as Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and 5-MEO-DMT, which are highly psychotropic. These properties have long been used by local shamans in religious rituals and practices.
Types of Delosperm
Since there are many varieties of the ice plant, it is worth noting those that are suitable for cultivation in the territory of central Russia:
Delosperma cooperi
The native area of its natural distribution is the South African deserts. It has semi-shrub outlines and is characterized by branching. It does not exceed 15 cm in height, but its diameter can reach 45-50 cm. It has good frost resistance, can withstand temperatures of -17 degrees without harm, this species can be grown in open ground. The leaf plates are located on the branches in pairs, their color is grayish-green, the shape of the leaves is narrowed, they themselves are fleshy, which strongly resembles small processes of the stem of cylindrical outlines. The foliage on the stem sits tightly, its surface is covered by numerous papillary outgrowths. Leaves are flexible. When flowering, a large number of flowers open at the tops of the shoots, the diameter of which is 4–5 cm. Their petals are silky and glossy, painted in a mauve shade. The core of the flower seems to be brighter due to the creamy yellow color scheme. In their shape, the flowers of this species are very reminiscent of daisies.
Cloudy Delosperma (Delosperma nubigenum)
A succulent with evergreen leaves, but shoots grow very close to the ground, so the species can be used as a ground cover. The height of the branches does not exceed 5–10 cm. It is frost-resistant, can tolerate temperatures of -23 degrees without any problems. The length of the leaf plates is 2 cm. The foliage is oval or slightly more elongated. With the arrival of autumn and for the entire winter period, the color of the dark green or grayish green leaves changes to bronze. The flowering process begins with the arrival of summer, buds begin to bloom on the green "carpet" of leaves and shoots. In flowers, the petals have a bright yellow, golden yellow or orange tint. In winter, the problem may not be frost, but oversaturation of the soil with moisture. Therefore, it is necessary to cover with spruce branches or non-woven material.
Twisted Delosperma (Delosperma congestum)
The native habitat is South Africa. It is a frost-hardy species that can survive frosts of -20 degrees. The height of the succulent is 10 cm. The foliage is juicy, rich in bright green color, with the arrival of autumn it changes to dark burgundy. Leaves are dense, cover the soil with a dense carpet. Differs in slowness in growth. The flowering process begins in late spring. The colors are reminiscent of daisies in their outlines. The number of flowers is so great that the leaves under them are practically invisible. The petals are painted in a bright yellow shade.
Abundant flowering Delosperma (Delosperma floribundum)
Most often, this species is grown in the form of a room culture, but this succulent can be beneficial for landscaping balconies and terraces. During flowering, which stretches over the entire summer period, multiple buds open, connected in inflorescences. The diameter of the flower is not more than 3 cm. The color of the petals is pink, in the center there is a whitish lump of petals. The plant will not tolerate temperatures lower than -7 degrees, but a variety called "Sturdust" has been developed, which calmly survives in frosts of -29 degrees. However, it will be necessary to provide the bushes with shelter for the winter. The flowers of such a succulent are medium, gradient colors - at the base and in the center, the petals are almost snow-white, and their top is pink.
Video about Delosperm:
