Argyroderma

The argyroderma plant belongs to the Aizov family. This succulent is most commonly found in hot regions of South Africa, the Cape Province of Africa and the Karoo Desert. The plant looks like "living stones". Grows on sandy or rocky soils. A feature of argyroderma is the ability to hide from the heat, digging into the sand. The name of the succulent from Latin can be literally translated as "silvery skin".

Description of argyroderma

In appearance, argyroderma is a miniature dwarf succulent, resembling pebbles. Grows in small clusters. One plant usually consists of 2 or 4 densely accrete leaves, flat and fleshy, semicircular in shape. Each leaf does not exceed 3 cm in diameter. Argyroderma grows new leaves from the center, and the lower old leaves die off.

Flowering occurs in the form of a short peduncle emerging from the center of the plant. Outwardly, the flower resembles a daisy and its size is about 3 cm in diameter. Flower shades can be white, white-pink, and yellow. The flower opens mainly at the late time of the day. For pollination, the presence of flowers of two sexes is required by the cross method. After pollination, several fruits are formed. Their ripening period is March-April. In appearance, the seed capsule resembles a capsule up to 12 mm in diameter, divided into 8-28 cells. The opening of the seed box takes place under the influence of moisture (rain). In greenhouse conditions, seeds are harvested by hand, including dipped in a container of water and waiting for the opening of the capsule.

Argyroderma care at home

The succulent argyroderma is completely unpretentious, and with proper care it will delight you with its graceful appearance and beautiful bright flowers. The peculiarities of caring for argyroderma are based on the optimal combination of lighting, ambient temperature, degree of irrigation, and the amount of fertilizer applied.

Lighting

Argyroderma, due to its place of origin, needs bright light all year round.

Temperature

In the summer, the plant feels great at room temperature. In autumn, the temperature should be slightly reduced, in winter it varies from 12 to 15 degrees. The minimum temperature should not fall below 8 degrees.

Air humidity

A distinctive feature of the plant is its good tolerance to dry air. Moreover, argyroderma does not need additional spraying.

Watering

Attention should be paid to the features of watering argyroderma. The soil is moistened only during periods of flowering and growth. Watering exclusively through the pan, the soil should dry completely between waterings. During the period when the plant is at rest, watering is stopped completely. If at this time the leaves begin to wrinkle or dry out, then this is not a reason to resume watering.

The soil

The optimum mixture for the substrate consists of sand and leaf soil in a ratio of 2: 1.After planting the plant, the top layer is covered with sand. If it is not possible to independently prepare the soil mixture, then ready-made soil for cactus is quite suitable.

Top dressing and fertilizers

Plant fertilization is carried out only during the period of bud formation and flowering. Fertilizer for cacti is suitable for feeding.

Transfer

Argyroderma needs a regular transplant, which should be carried out no more than once every three years. The transplant is carried out before the beginning of the period of active growth. Planting utensils should be as deep as possible but wide enough. At the bottom of the pot, be sure to lay out a generous layer of drainage.

Reproduction of argyroderma

Argyroderma can be propagated in two ways: by seeds or by dividing an overgrown plant into groups. Seeds for sprouting are planted in the ground in February-March. By winter, the resulting plants will be strong enough. The pot with the planted seeds is covered with glass on top and kept at a temperature of about 25 degrees, no additional lighting is needed. You also need to periodically remove the glass for a few minutes for airing.

The first shoots will appear on the 8th day, and completely all plants will appear above the ground on the 30-40th day. The flowering of Argyroderma grown from seeds can be expected for 3-4 years.

Growing difficulties

• Many growers complain that argyroderma has never bloomed since the moment of purchase - the reason may lie in insufficient lighting that needs to be adjusted.
• If suddenly the leaves become soft and blackened, there is excessive watering, which continues even during the dormant watering period. If you do not speed up the watering, then you can lose the plant.
• If the leaves suddenly slowed down or completely stopped their growth, this may indicate the need to transplant into a new, more spacious pot.

Types and litter of argyroderma with photos and names

There are many types of argyroderma, the most popular are the following.

Argyroderma bowl-shaped

The plant is dwarf in size, succulent, the diameter of two opposite leaves is about 2 cm.The leaves are located tightly to each other, thick to the touch. The flower emerges from the center of the plant, resembles a daisy in appearance, bright yellow in color and whitish stamens.

Argyroderma oval

Dwarf plant, succulent. Leaves are cylindrical in size, 2-4 in one plant, fleshy, oval, tightly pressed together, collected in a rosette. The color of the leaves ranges from gray-green to lime-green. In the center of the plant, one flower grows from a groove between the leaves. The pedicel is short. The diameter of the flower is rarely more than 3 cm. The color is white, pink or yellow.

Argyroderma testicular

Succulent dwarf plant, rosette diameter up to 3 cm, leaves are thick, fleshy. The color of the leaves ranges from bluish green to bluish gray. Sometimes there is a small speck on the leaves. The flowers outwardly resemble chamomile, the diameter is about 4 cm, pink in color. Flowering depletes the plant, so the old leaves after it wither and fall off, and a couple of new young leaves appear in their place.