Orthopterum coeganum is a small, low-growing plant that requires minimal care once established and is a good choice for beginners.
Scientific Name
Orthopterum coeganum L.Bolus
Scientific Classification
Family: Aizoaceae
Subfamily: Ruschioideae
Tribe: Ruschieae
Genus: Orthopterum
Etymology
The specific epithet "coeganum (ko-EG-a-num)" means "of or pertaining to Coega" and refers to the area to which this species is indigenous.
Origin
Orthopterum coeganum is native to South Africa. It grows on rocky sandstone outcrops in the Coega Kop, an ancient quartz outcrop close to the Coega River estuary in the Eastern Cape province.
Description
Orthopterum coeganum is a small succulent with short stems that bear rosettes of thick, fleshy, nearly upright leaves. It can grow up to 4 inches (10 cm) tall, forming dense clumps. The leaves are triangular in cross-section, toothless or sometimes with a few teeth along the margins, and grow in matched pairs, reaching up to 1.4 inches (3.5 cm) in length.
In the fall, Orthopterum coeganum produces yellow, daisy-like flowers on short stalks. The flowers can reach up to 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. The fruit are 5-locular capsules.
How to Grow and Care for Orthopterum coeganum
Light: Orthopterum coeganum requires bright light but not too much direct sunlight. So, a windowsill that receives 4 to 5 hours of direct sunlight in the morning and partial shade in the afternoon will be a perfect spot for indoor growing.
Soil: The plant thrives in porous soil, allowing the water to drain away quickly. Therefore, use commercial soil for succulents or make your own well-draining mix.
Temperature: High temperatures are not a problem as long as there is plenty of fresh air, but this plant is not cold-hardy. It grows best in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9b to 11b, with average minimum winter temperatures ranging from 25 to 50 °F (-3.9 to 10 °C).
Watering: To keep your Orthopterum coeganum healthy, it is most important to know when, how much, and how often to water it. During the dormant period, usually in winter, the plant requires little or no water. From spring to fall, water it thoroughly but allow the soil to dry between waterings.
Fertilizing: As long as you repot this plant every two years, it does not need fertilizer.
Repotting: Even if it can stay happy in the same pot for years, once in a while, you can repot your plant to give it more space anytime during the growing season. However, the best time is at the beginning of the growing season.
Propagation: There are three methods to propagate this plant. The first method is to divide the clumps during the growing season, which is quite a simple process. The second method is to start the plant from seeds by sowing them in well-draining soil during spring. However, propagating the plant by stem cuttings can be challenging due to the high risk of rot.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Mesembs.
Toxicity of Orthopterum coeganum
Orthopterum coeganum is considered non-toxic and safe around kids and pets.
Links
- Back to genus Orthopterum
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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