Scientific Name
×Gasterhaworthia 'Rosava'
Scientific Classification
Family: Asphodelaceae
Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
Nothogenus: ×Gasterhaworthia
Description
×Gasterhaworthia 'Rosava' is a small, slow-growing succulent that forms a compact rosette of dark green leaves with raised white to cream-colored spots. The rosette can grow up to 8 inches (20 cm) in diameter. The color fades in the center of the rosette, which can develop a pink to red hue. The leaves are thick, fleshy, smooth, and toothless or with a very short marginal indentation in mature specimens.
The flowers are more erect like those of Haworthia, with the green stripes as in some Haworthia flowers, and show some of the pink colors of Gasteria flowers, but not the stomach shape.
Etymology
Rudolf Schulz thought he named this hybrid in 2005 after his partner Rosava Christina Terzieff (known as Christina to most), who passed away in May 2019 in New Zealand.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Gasterias are often grouped with Haworthia because the plants have similar cultural requirements. Both are attractive, small succulents that can tolerate more shade than many, making them more suitable as houseplants. However, Gasterias are susceptible to fungal infections, usually appearing as black spots on the leaves. These result from too much humidity or water on the leaves, but they should not spread too quickly. Gasterias have a natural defense mechanism against such fungal attacks and attack the invading organism and seal off the wounded spot. Generally, any place where Haworthia and Aloe thrive will be hospitable to a Gasteria.
Gasterias are small, shallow-rooted, and relatively slow-growing. Therefore, they are often grown in small clusters in wide, shallow dishes. Over time, clusters will naturally enlarge as the mother plant sends off small plantlets. When the cluster has outgrown its container, repot into a new wide and shallow container with fresh potting soil in the spring or early summer. This is also the time to take offsets for propagation.
Depending on the species, Gasteria can be propagated at repotting time using offsets from the mother plant or leaf cuttings.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Gasteria.
Origin
×Gasterhaworthia 'Rosava' was created by Rudolf Schulz when he lived in Teesdale, Victoria, Australia. According to Noelene Tomlinson, the only Haworthia he allowed to flower was Haworthia comptoniana (now Haworthia emelyae var. comptoniana), and the New Holland Honeyeaters came into his greenhouse daily to gather nectar from his Gasterias and other flowers. The result was all kinds of strange and wonderful hybrids from the seeds he sowed.
Links
- Back to nothogenus ×Gasterhaworthia
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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