Conophytumis a genus of about 110 succulents that belong to the group of industrial plant calledMesembs . The name " Mesemb " is descend from the sure-enough family nameMesembryanthemaceae , now placed inAizoaceae . The species are native toSouth Africaand southernNamibia , typically found in the arid and semi - arid winter rainfall expanse . They are commonly get laid as Button Plants , Cone Plants , dumpling , or Living Pebbles .
The first specimens of this genus were collected by the Scottish botanistFrancis Massonin 1776 and beam to theRoyal Botanical Gardens at Kew . In 1821 , the plants were first described byAdrian Hardy Haworth . He described two unlike species , Conophytum obcordellumandConophytum obconellum , later combined into one metal money , Conophytum obcordellum . The genus was officially recognized and formally describe byNicholas Edward Brownin 1922 .
The genus is sometimes incorrectly referred to as Conophyton , a generic name suggested by Adrian Hardy Haworth in 1821 . The generic name " Conophytum " derives from the Latin " conus , " meaning " cone cell , " and the Greek " phytum , " meaning " plant life , " and refers to the combine , cone shape - shaped leaves in most of the species .
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Conophytums are dwarf plant that commonly constitute slow clusters of folio pairs , but some species are lonesome . The dead body consist of two fleshy , partially or totally fused leaves and range in height from 0.25 to 2 inch ( 0.6 to 5 cm ) . They can be bilobed , lump - shaped , vasiform to conical , ballock - shaped , or cylindrical with very smooth to hairy or slightly rough cuticle , sometimes spotted , seamed , or windowed . The plant colour stray from light-green and blue to red ink and brown . Conophytums can be divide into day - blossom , twilight - blooming , and nighttime - bloom species . Most of them grow flowers in late summertime through fall . The flowers are low , daisy - like , and in a full range of a function of color with chicken or orange centers .
Some mintage ofConophytumare false forLithops . Their conically joined leaves and petals conflate into a basal tube distinguish them from most other mesembs .
Growing Conditions for Conophytum
Conophytums are commonly grown in container where they spread slowly . These succulents are idealistic for growers with modified growing blank space . Conophytums also do well in rock crevices .
Light
MostConophytums need shining light but do not like too much direct sun . To avoidsunburn , place them in a place to receive a few hr of full sun in cool periods of the day . At the end of the hibernating season , increase sun exposure gradually over several days to keep shocking the plant . The plants stretch if they necessitate more light .
Soil
Conophytums thrive best in porous grunge mixes that allow H2O to enfeeble away quickly . expend a commercial potting mix specially project for growing succulents , ormake your own .
Temperature
gamey temperatures are not a problem forConophytums , but they can be damage when the temperature go below 32 ° F ( 0 ° cytosine ) . If you last in colder areas where winter temperature drop below freeze , farm these plant in container that can be brought indoors is best .
Pot Size
Conophytums scatter up to 2 feet ( 60 cm ) in diam in home ground , but in cultivation , they are usually turn in pots with a diameter of about 2 to 4 inches ( 5 to 10 centimeter ) .
General Care for Conophytum
As with all Mesembs , Conophytums have a specific growing and resting point . They actively grow from fall to winter and go through a period of quiescency from spring to summer when the existing leave dry up and protect the young duad of leaves in a papery sheath . The plant resembles a pebble during this period , hence the common name " Living Pebble . "
Watering
WhenConophytums go dormant in the spring , they ask little or no water . When plant life begin growing in the downfall , it is good towaterdeeply , allowing the soil to dry out before watering again . If leaves start to wrinkle during active growth , yourConophytumneeds water . Too much body of water can lead to root rot or make a young pair of leave-taking at the wrong time of year .
Fertilizing
Conophytums are faint feeders and do not need fertilizer if repotted every two days . It is bestto feedat the beginning of the increase flow and just before flowering . habituate a fertiliser with low-spirited N stratum diluted to half or fourth part strength .
Repotting
Conophytums will profit from repotting . Depending on the pot ’s sizing and growth pace , they typically call for to be repotted every 2 to 4 days . The in force meter to repot aConophytumis at the origin of the period of active growth , but repotting can be done at almost any time while the plants are actively rise .
How to Propagate Conophytum
Conophytums are well propagate by sectionalisation . They can also be grow from seeds .
Division
It is possible to give a new plant from one root brace of leave of absence , but separate matureConophytums into clusters of 2 to 4 rooted pairs of leaf is advocate . Remove the plant from its pot , carefully shorten through the source , and repot each clustering into its own potbelly . The best time to divideConophytums is in late summertime or former fall before the plant begin to break dormancy or after they have blossom .
Seeds
Sow the seeds in the fall in a hatful with a well - drain soil mix and cover them with a very thin bed of fine sand . grade the pile in a sunny place and keep the territory moist until the seeds pullulate . At temperatures between 65 and 70 ° F ( 15 and 21 ° one C ) , sprouting usually takes a week or two . Reduce watering gradually as the seedling rise .
Pests and Diseases of Conophytum
Once established , Conophytums are comparatively fuss - free , but a few pest and several diseases can sometimes go on .
Pests
Root mealybugs are one of the most common pests that can affectConophytums . Alongside regular aid and a watchful middle , the best preventative measure is water with a suited insect powder once during the fall . Sometimes , slug , snails , and cat start out munch the plants . They are best hunt at night .
Diseases
The most common flora diseases typically have little to no shock onConophytum . Remove dead blossom and sometime sheaths after the raw leaves have break away through to prevent botrytis .
Toxicity of Conophytum
Conophytums are non - toxic and secure to spring up around children and pets .
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