Aptenia

Aptenia (Aptenia) is an evergreen plant that belongs to succulents and belongs to the Aizov family. His homeland is considered to be Africa and the South of America. In science, succulent is known under two names of Greek origin: Aptenia is wingless, which reflects the peculiarity of the structure of its seeds. And the second name: mesembriantemum - a flower that opens at noon.

It is a creeping plant with fleshy shoots and succulent oval leaves. They look very impressive during flowering, strewn with small, but surprisingly bright flowers of purple hues. Later, fruits are formed in their place: multi-chamber capsules. In each chamber of the capsule, one large dark seed with a rough shell ripens.

Among indoor plants, Aptenia cordifolia is most often found. This species is distinguished by an oval or ribbed shape of fleshy gray-green shoots. They are attached to oppositely located bright green leaves of a lanceolate or heart-shaped shape. It blooms with single apical and axillary flowers of bright purple, lilac or pink shades.

Aptenia care at home

Location and lighting

In summer, the aptenia will be more comfortable outdoors and in a sunny place. In indoor conditions in the summer it is darkened, protecting it from direct sunlight. No shading is required in autumn and winter.

Temperature

From spring to autumn, during the active growing season, aptenia needs maintenance at a temperature of 22-25 degrees. But in winter she prefers coolness: the temperature should be no higher than 8-10 degrees. If you cannot provide her with a cool wintering, then please at least with additional lighting.

Air humidity

Aptenia is one of the few plants that can be easily grown in dry indoor air. The plant does not need additional moisture. But in winter, you should not place a flower near batteries and heating appliances.

Watering

In spring and summer, the plant is watered moderately, in winter - rarely. The frequency of watering is determined by the complete drying of the soil in the pot. With a lack of moisture, the succulent leaves begin to wrinkle.

The soil

The optimal composition of the soil for growing Aptenia: turf soil and sand in equal amounts. You can also use ready-made potting mix for cacti and succulents.

Top dressing and fertilizers

Aptenia is fertilized from spring to late autumn once a month using complex fertilizers for cacti and succulents.

Pruning

To make aptenia decorative, it is necessary to carry out formative pruning. This procedure is best done in the fall due to the summer flowering of the succulent.

Transfer

Aptenia grows quickly enough and a moment comes when it becomes cramped and the root system completely fills the pot. This affects her appearance. It is also a signal to the need for a transplant. It is better to transplant in the spring, having prepared a larger pot. A good drainage layer must be placed at the bottom of the pot.

Reproduction of aptenia

Aptenia is usually propagated by seeds and cuttings.

Reproduction using stem cuttings is quite easy and simple. Cuttings are separated from an adult healthy plant by drying in a dark and dry room for several hours. Dried cuttings are rooted using wet sand, a mixture of light soil and sand, or just water.

Growing Aptenia from seeds takes more time and effort. To begin with, the seeds are distributed on the surface of the sandy substrate, sprinkling on top. Seedlings will appear quickly. As soon as this happens, the container is transferred to a well-lit and warm place with an air temperature of at least 21 degrees. Seedlings are watered very carefully, trying to avoid waterlogging, which is fraught with rot. A month later, a pick is carried out, placing young plants in small single pots.

Growing difficulties

Aptenia rarely gets sick and is attacked by pests. Among the "ailments" a flower may have:

• Loss of leaves as a result of drying out or, conversely, waterlogging of the soil or warm wintering.
• The plant does not bloom if it lacks light or after a warm winter.
• Waterlogging or over-feeding can lead to decay.