Delosperma Cloudy

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Delosperma cloudy (Latin Delosperma nubigenum) - flowering culture; one of the brightest representatives of the Delosperm genus, belonging to the Aizovy family. A native of South Africa. At present, it is cultivated in Russia, in European countries, the USA, etc. It is grown both in open ground and in indoor conditions. Due to dwarf growth, it is actively used to form alpine slides, rockeries.

Characteristics of culture

Delosperm cloudy is represented by dwarf perennial herbaceous plants. As a rule, the height of the plant does not exceed 10 cm. The foliage of the species under consideration, dense, fleshy, is formed in large quantities, forming a lush rug. The color of the foliage is dark green, in cold weather it changes to bronze, which also gives the plant a noble appearance. The flowers are small, rich yellow color without color transitions, numerous, with good care and a favorable climate, they completely cover the carpets of foliage.

Like all representatives of the genus, cloudy delosperm is distinguished by long flowering. As a rule, flowering begins at the end of May and lasts until October-November (depending on the climatic zone). Flowers open only in the sun; in cloudy and rainy weather, they close. By the way, cloudy delosperm forms a large number of seeds. The fruits are represented by rounded boxes with nests. When dew or rain hits them, the bolls open up, and the seeds sometimes self-sow to a distance of 1.5 m.

Breeding features

As already mentioned, seeds are sown when they fall on a dry, matured dew or rain pod. Since Delosperm cloudy is a thermophilic crop, self-seeding is not as effective. It is better to collect seeds yourself and sow next spring. Seed pods are cut, dried in a dry, dark place for 5-7 days and put into paper bags for storage.

Sowing for seedlings is carried out in the third decade of January - the first or second decade of February. Before sowing, the seeds are stratified. The easiest way to stratify: spread the snow in an even layer over the surface of the soil mixture and scatter the seeds. The snow will begin to melt and suck in the seeds, but not deeply. Then the seedling boxes should be placed in a refrigerator or room with an air temperature of 4-5C for 10-14 days. After this time, the seedling boxes are moved to a warm room, covered with a film, regularly removing it for ventilation.

Usually shoots appear after two weeks, sometimes earlier, but always amicably. It is important to systematically water the seedlings with a spray bottle. With the emergence of 4 true leaves on the shoots, a dive is made in separate containers. Seedlings of cloud delosperm are planted in open ground after hardening. In the middle lane, it is desirable to land in late May - early June, in the southern regions - earlier, but after the threat of night frosts has passed. The optimum distance between plants is 50 cm; do not plant delosperma too close.

Care features

Watering is an important care manipulation. They are recommended to be carried out as the soil dries up, but without waterlogging. Delosperma cloudy, like other species, does not like an excess of moisture, because of this, it often gets sick, does not bloom, and dies. Feeding with complex mineral fertilizers is no less important. They are carried out with an interval of 20-25 days. Fertilizers must be diluted in water before application and watered so as not to fall on the leaves. Removal of faded inflorescences is encouraged from care procedures. This will help prolong flowering and maintain its decorative appearance.