General characteristics of the mesembryanthemum: native growing areas, description, tips for growing in the garden, breeding steps, diseases and pests, types of mesembryanthemum and photos. Mesembryanthemum (Mesembryanthemum) belongs to the genus of plants with both one-year and two-year life cycle. It is a succulent (it has the ability to accumulate moisture in its parts to survive difficult dry periods). Scientists botanists include this representative of the flora in the Aizoaceae family or sometimes referred to as Mesembryanthemaceae. Almost all varieties of this genus are found in South Africa, on the Krru plateau, where dry soils are usually present and temperatures at night are below 0 degrees. According to the available data, today there are 50-80 plant species in it, and their description is still ongoing.
This succulent bears its scientific name due to the fusion of two Greek words "mesembria" and "anthemon", which translates as "noon" and "flower", respectively, and the result is "midday flower". This is due to the fact that the flowers of the Masembriantemum have the property of opening at noon in bright sunlight. Also among the people you can hear how it is called "midday" or "sunflower". And also "crystal grass" or "ice grass" due to the fact that there are formations on the leaf plates that resemble crystal chips or fragments of ice icicles. But these are not lenses at all, but glandular hairs that cover the leaves, resembling transparent droplets or bubbles. Because of its native habitat, Masembriantemum is often referred to as "African chamomile".
Mesembriantemum is a low plant that can reach 15 cm in height. Shoots can be either straight, creeping, or creeping, succulent, with fleshy outlines. These annuals or biennials are characterized by sufficient branching. Some varieties take on a semi-shrub shape. The leaves of the "crystal grass" are devoid of petioles, sessile, and are distinguished by a pale green color scheme. As well as the stems - fleshy, taking spindle-shaped or rounded outlines. They are located on the shoots opposite in the lower part, and higher they become alternate. The peculiarity of representatives of this genus is that the surface of the foliage is covered with special swollen cells (glandular hairs, which are called papillae or idioblasts). Their appearance resembles droplets of crystal, giving the leaves of the mesembryanthemum "crystal" or "crystalline" appearance.
When blooming, flowers appear double, star-shaped or chamomile-like outlines. They themselves resemble daisies. They grow singly or can collect three buds in racemose inflorescences. The number of petals is plural, the shape is narrow. The color of the flowers is quite varied: from white and pink, yellow and orange to red and purple. The flowering process occurs throughout the summer months and can take place in mid-autumn. Flowers open when there is bright sunny weather outside, otherwise the buds are closed.
When fruiting, a fruit appears in the form of a box, filled with numerous small brown seeds. They are so small that there are up to 3000 units in a gram.
Growing a masembryanthemum in a personal plot: planting and care
The plant does not differ in finicky care and maintenance, but it is still worth considering some aspects.
- Lighting and placement in flower beds. It is important to plant a "midday" in those areas where the sun is more than half of the day. It is better not to plant a masembriantemum in the shade, since flowering may not occur or it will be very few-flowered and the general appearance of the plant deteriorates due to stretching of the stems. It is important that this place is not blown by winds, that is, there are no drafts.
- The soil. "African chamomile" feels comfortable if it grows in a light and well-drained substrate, perhaps a place with sandy or rocky soil that will allow water to pass through well.
- Transfer. Since the plant is an annual, it does not need transplants, if the cultivation is carried out in the open field, it is just that the old bushes of masembryanthemum are replaced with new ones every year. If the "midday" has a two-year life cycle, then it can be dug out of the soil and kept in the autumn-winter months in a pot placed in a dark and cool place, and in the spring, when the threat of frost has passed, it can be planted again in the flowerbed. Distances between plants are maintained 15-30 cm.
- Fertilizers for masembryanthemum. In order for the succulent to please with growth and flowering from May to early autumn, it should be fertilized with a frequency of once every 14 days. Mineral preparations are best suited to the masembriantemum, which are recommended to be added when the budding process is in progress. Or they select fertilizers for decorative flowering plants. However, experienced flower growers advise you to reduce the dosage by half from that indicated by the manufacturer.
- Watering. Since the "crystal grass" is a succulent, it is necessary to moisten the soil with great care. Naturally, this is a little more difficult to follow in open field conditions than with indoor cultivation. If the area with stagnant water or rainy weather conditions, then the mazembriantemum will suffer from excessive dampness. When there was no rain for a long time in the summer, it is necessary to water it regularly, but not often. Watering is usually especially needed by young, only planted plants.
- Air humidity when growing "midday" in the open field does not matter for adult specimens. But if the plant is young and has just undergone planting, and it is clear that its leaf blades and stems are a little overcrowded (they have become less elastic and lost turgor), then spraying can be carried out, creating a kind of "fog" from a finely dispersed spray gun. During the growing season, if the heat is too strong, then spraying is necessary for adult specimens.
- Masembryanthemum overwintering. Before the onset of the first cold weather (in mid-autumn), it is recommended to dig up the bushes of "crystal grass" from the flower bed, gently shake off the soil, and if the root system is too waterlogged with autumn rains, then it is slightly dried. For the winter period, mother plants should be placed in a cool place with a temperature of 9-11 degrees, watering is not needed.
- Temperature. If you live in a region with harsh winter conditions, then perennial masembryanthemums are recommended to be grown as a pot culture, and in this form they are then brought into a room with good lighting and heat indicators of about 6-9 degrees. However, it should be remembered that even if the winters are mild, but the column of the thermometer falls below the 0 mark, then this is also destructive for the masembriantemum. All due to the fact that the "midday" does not tolerate frosts at all. Therefore, in central Russia and regions with similar climatic conditions, "African chamomile" is used as an annual.
Important! When planting "African chamomile", it should be remembered that it is not advisable to place it next to moisture-loving flora, otherwise watering such plants, you will not be able to balance the level of soil moisture, and the masembriantemum will start to rot. If rotting of the root system is observed, then watering should be stopped and wait until the soil is completely dry.
Reproduction of mesembryanthemum: growing from seeds and cuttings
You can get a new plant "midday" by seed planting and cuttings.
When seed reproduction, planting is carried out at the end of April, but if you want to wait for flowers early, then it is recommended to sow at the end of winter or in March. The substrate should be water-permeable, for example, peat-sandy. The container in which the seeds are visited is covered with a plastic bag or placed under glass. The germination temperature should be 13-17 degrees, and until the sprouts appear, it is not changed. As soon as the species are seedlings, the heat indicators are reduced to 10 degrees. After a month, the seedlings must be dived, placing them in separate pots made of peat (so that the seedlings cannot be removed from them later). When the threat of frost is a minute, around May days, the seedlings of the mesembryanthemum must be transplanted to a permanent place in open ground, where they immediately start growing rapidly. The distance between plants should be between 15-30 cm.
Important! If the seeds are harvested from their own garden, it is recommended to wait until the seed pods are completely dry. Then they are placed in a container with warm water, while the fruits get wet and open easily, releasing the seed. It needs to be rinsed and dried before planting. In autumn, the mesembryanthemum bush must be dug up and kept in a dark place with a cool temperature until spring. Then, blanks for grafting are cut from this plant. After that, the cuttings are planted in peat-sandy soil for rooting in pots. The containers can be filled with wet sand. Only at the very beginning, after planting, it is recommended to cover young mesembryanthemums with a glass jar or a cut plastic bottle so that the humidity level is increased. Within three days, the cuttings are not watered so that the adaptation time passes. If leaves appear on the branches, then the rooting process is proceeding normally. In late spring or early summer, rooted cuttings can be planted in a flower bed. The growth rate of the "crystal grass" is very high. They try to maintain the distance between the seedlings about 10-15 cm.
Pests and diseases of the mesembryanthemum
The "midday" differs in that it is little affected by pests and is resistant to various diseases. However, it happens that if the conditions of detention are violated, harmful insects may appear on the plant, then it will be necessary to immediately carry out treatment with appropriate insecticidal and acaricidal preparations.
Although caring for the "crystal grass" is quite easy, the following troubles can be distinguished when leaving:
- with waterlogging of the soil, especially when the mesembriantemum is at rest, decay of the rhizome may begin;
- if flowering does not start, then the reason may be an insufficient level of lighting, as well as a lack of rest in the winter (elevated temperatures or top dressing);
- the leaves acquire a yellow tint when the room containing the "midday" has increased humidity levels, as well as the substrate is waterlogged, the reason is often the drying of the top layer of the soil;
- with excessive stretching of the shoots, attention should be paid to the insufficient level of lighting in the room.
Facts to note about the mesembryanthemum
Some varieties of mesembryanthemum contain psychotropic substances, among which there are hallucinogens. Such plants are used for ritual purposes by the indigenous people of the southern regions of the African continent.
To date, a variety of crystal mesembryanthemum is under the scrutiny of scientists around the world. This is due to the fact that most of the representatives of the green world have only two rows of chromosomes, while the mesembryanthemum has 128! This is what helps the plant to adapt to unfavorable living conditions. Many specimens are able to retain moisture in their cells and quickly regenerate parts that have been lost, as well as form a protective cellular barrier on the surface of leaf plates.
The mesembriantemum is confused with a dorotheanthus-like member of the family that also grows in South Africa.
Types of mesembryanthemum
- Crystal mesembryanthemum (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum) called "crystal grass" is the most popular type. Native territories - North Africa. Perennial with strongly branched shoots. It is 15 cm in height. Due to the glandular hairs (papillae), resembling shiny droplets on leaf plates, it has a high decorative effect. The leaves are small with a wavy edge, painted in green shades. The color of the flowers is very varied. The flowering period in natural conditions falls on the rainy season. The flower has frame-like outlines, the number of petals is multiple. The petals are thin, linear in outline. From the buds, three-flowered inflorescences with a racemose shape are collected.
- Mesembryanthemum gramineus has a lifespan of 1 year. A branchy plant with shoots reaching 12 cm. It can often be found under the name Mesembryanthemum tricolor. The stems are painted in a reddish tone, and form a dense rug, their surface is covered with papilla hairs. Leaf plates are linear, fleshy, 3–5 cm long, covered with papilla hairs. When blooming, the diameter of the flowers reaches 3, 6 cm, the color of the petals is carmine pink with a darker color center.
- Mesembryanthemum bellidiformis possesses creeping shoots, while the plant itself stretches to a height of 10 cm. The leaf plates are obovate, their length is 7.5 cm, the surface is covered with papillae. When the day is sunny, multiple flowers open, the diameter of which is 3-4 cm. They are crowned with elongated flowering stems. The color of the petals is very diverse (from yellow and orange to deep red and purple). When the sun is hidden behind the clouds, the buds do not open up.
- Mesembryanthemum cloudy (Mesembryanthemum nubigenum) is an evergreen succulent plant, used as a ground cover crop, although it differs in a semi-shrub life form. In height, it reaches parameters of 6-10 cm. Leaves are oval or linear, in length they can be measured in the range of 1, 4-1, 7 cm. If the temperature of the content is low, then they acquire a bronze color. It tolerates frost well, but its flowering is very short. The color of the petals is golden yellow, red, orange, purple. Flowers are stemless, characterized by a star-shaped shape, can reach 3.5 cm in diameter when opened. The flowering period occurs from May.
- Mesembryanthemum criniflorum can be found under the name Dorotheanthus bellidiformis. It is considered the basic variety. Flowers reach 3.5 cm in diameter, have a variety of colors. The height of the plant varies in the range of 10-15 cm, while the length of the creeping shoots is measured at 30 cm. The flowering process lasts from mid-summer to early autumn days. The species is used in garden and landscape phytodesign, it is planted next to other representatives of the flora, as a ground cover. At the same time, there is the possibility of decorating ridges, curbs, rocky slopes or gardens (rakaria).
- Mesembryanthemum occulatus quite a popular variety because of the color of the flowers, the petals of which are cast in a bright yellow color, and the center is of a beautiful red tone.
More information about seating the mesembryanthemum in the following video:
