New: Delosperma sphalmantoides (3 pics)

I actually would have loved to grow this species from seed but, given a chance, who could resist. Being so fond of the D. cooperii I've been looking around for a dwarf version to grow on the window sill (even though this hardy D. sphalmantoides would rather grow somewhere outside). I haven't even realized how tiny and cute it would be! You just have to love these little cyan leaves with a marshmellow-like texture (click on pics for xxl) and how it grows low like a carpet (much like a Neohenricia in fact). If you think of a Delosperma you surely imagine something very different.

 

To draw a comparison, here are the D. cooperii and D. sphalmantoides on one pic!

Got these beautiful plants from cono's paradise along with a new pumice order.

Titanopsis seedlings update

My first experience growing non-lithops Mesembs from seed was growing Delosperma and Frithia. I don't have much room here but just couldn't resist sowing some more. Looks like I'll be posting a lot of baby pictures, bear with me. :) Here are the young Titanopsis calcarea seedlings from before (own seeds). It's fun watching them - so tiny and already all the cute warts are visible. 

At the moment T. primosii is germinating, more pics soon.

Getting better: Prepodesma orpenii

If you remember I bought this plant with some kind of a leaf damage. Now it completely changed its appearance and is "wearing" only the new leaves while the old ones have slowly dried off. It is now all smooth and spotless. :)

It seems to grow new leaves explosively: They appear "out of nowhere" and grow very quickly and then the plant takes a pretty long rest before the next growth spurt. 

Getting better: Titanopsis calcarea

This was probably the worst case. One day this beautiful plant just decided to die. First it dried off all the new leaves so that the growing points looked like nothing will ever grow out of them again. Then it cast off  some of the old ones. All that remained looked brownish and more like a carcass than a living plant (you can still see it on the picture). A very sad sight.

But just like it spontaneously decided to die, it then found the will to live. "Hey I forgot that I don't actually need those old growing points to start growing again!" And there there were three new branches! I think it should recover now. :)

Its mate is doing fine, btw.

Getting better: Rabiea albipuncta

Continuing my previous post about a Frithia getting in shape I'd like to talk about plants that were struggling through really bad times but are now staring to feel better, probably because it coincides with how I feel. 

Last summer my Rabiea was badly bitten by mites and I was too quick using an anti-bug spray instead of just washing it. Awful cold burns and many damaged leaves were the result. You know that damaged leaves on a Rabiea sadly mean scars for a very long time. It took the plant several months to start growing new leaves again and now, almost a year later, it finally looks fresh and healthy. You can still see some scaring here and there but it makes the new green even more beautiful, I think.

It's too big for the 5x5 pot (and I'm very curious to see the roots) but I need to save space. Also, it might not be that happy to be disturbed at this point.

Frithia pulchra 6 months later

I strongly recommend you to check out the November photo if this plant first! Even though it didn't flower it definitely got in shape over the last 6 months. Lots of new leaves, all the same size and shape. I'm really happy with it, although I would even be glad if I hadn't killed it. :)

Fred's Redhead update (2 pics)

I've ignored my plants during the last months so I've been making some changes, sorting out, transplanting. Today it was the turn of these lesliei. I've separated the bigger and stronger seedlings from the weaker ones (it was getting too cozy in the pot). 

It's curious how only the parts exposed to light get the dark color (I guess, much like optica v. rubra) while the rest stays green. The one pale seedling to the right probably resembles the "regular" ancestors of the cultivar.

PS: I've read that valerian flower extract is very good for cacti and other succulents. Anyone tried it? I've ordered it and will report on the possible changes. :)