Monday, April 21, 2014

Plant friendship

This could be a plot for a sitcom. Three different plants were made to share one pot and the hardships of their life together has made them into the best of friends. :)
The plants in this case are Gibbaeum geminum, Neohenricia sibbettii and Adromischus marianae v. herrei 'green form'. I potted them together last September because I didn't have the room (planting every small plant into its own container is a luxury on the windowsill) and I did so without knowing they would be compatible. I think they like growing together very much. 


11 comments:

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    1. I do.
      This gibbaeum leans on one side no matter how i turn it though. Seems to be heavier on one side :)

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  2. The Official Succulent Rules say you are not suppose to mix different species, especially from different Families!, in the same pot. And yet, they look so good. What's happening here??? You can do this because you have become so attuned to the way plants behave in your environment, an environment that you have simplified in terms of potting media (substrate), temperature, fertilization, and watering. Only the light is somewhat out of your control. This type of culture does depend on regular attention to the plants and immediate action when something goes amiss. Those that handle these requirements are those that love their plants. See..it is not really plant to plant friendship, it is plant to grower friendship. :)

    All three look great Rika. (I seem to say that a lot on this blog)

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    1. Thank you! I like the thought of me and my plants being friends :)
      You're right. If different plants must grow in one pot the most important thing is careful observation. If one of them start showing signs of distress as a grower you have to act and break apart the arrangement and look for another solution. If you only check up on the plants once a month during the growth period you'll miss the point where any action could have helped. Also - pure pumice reduces many problems I imagine :)

      I had a different pot with Gibbaeum and two Conophytums but recently set the Conophytums apart because they should not be watered at all now. Gibbaeum is a winter growing mesemb but I water it throughout the year depending on appearance.
      Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't :)

      Thank you for your confirmation on the good-looking-ness :)

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  3. Plants seem to enjoy their companions, just like cats, dogs, and other domestic pets. I remember reading some actual research that shows potted plants prefer companions to living alone.

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    1. Yes, but they keep you up all night with their constant jibber-jabber.

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    2. True. I remember reading this as well. Still it's best to not mix plants that grow under completely different conditions :)

      I had a dig and two cats as a child. They loved each other as if they were siblings. I think the dog saw herself as a cat XD

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  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeX6ST7rexs this documentary covers some ways plants communicate with each other in their community - but their examples are all within the same species that evolved the same!

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    1. Thanks for the link! :) I'll watch it when I'm home.

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  5. Let's say that mixing Aizoaceae is a no-go is just a myth... You have combined some wonderful textures in that pot - it simply looks amazing; almost 'eatable' and no ¡I'm not a slug! Yum yum ...
    (and these perfect photographs you share with us, thank you!)
    Art

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    1. Hi Art :)

      Thank you very much! So far they feel fine growing all together but I'll continue to watch over them and will separate them as soon as one of them gets problems :)
      Thank you for checking my blog!

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