For those who have decided to decorate their home with KalaMitica magnetic pots, or for those who simply love succulents and want to grow them in particularly small vases, here are some tips on which plants to choose and how to take care of them.
They have complicated names, it’s true, but we are sure that you will immediately recognize them as you see them in the pictures.
Crassula mesembryanthemoides
It is one of the most common succulents, but it has really come a long way to get to Europe; the Crassula mesembryanthemoides it is in fact native to Namibia.
You can grow this variety of Crassulacea in every type of vase, including the smaller ones.
So much its name is difficult to pronounce, so much it is easy to take care of it;
You only need to pay attention to a few basic aspects. Let’s see them in detail.
Every spring, arm yourself with a fertilizer for succulents – a liquid solution readily available on the market – mix it with water according to the indications on the label, and give it to your plants once a month.
This operation, given the addition of water, is also valid as “watering”; count that the frequency with which the Crassula needs to be wet and nourished, in the warmer seasons, it is exactly the same, once a month.
In fact, the Crassulaceae are succulent plants, that is, they accumulate water in their tissues; they do not suffer from drought but are very sensitive to excess water. Therefore, be careful not to give them too much water. Suspend watering and fertilizing during the winter.
To allow the Crassula mesembryanthemoides to grow strong and lush, place it in a semi-shaded place with a temperature that never drops below 7°C.
Opuntia microdasys albata
Opuntia microdasys albata is part of the Cactaceae – the family of cactus – and is a really decorative plant, also available in a nice ‘mini version’.
Before growing it, however, make sure you have a very bright place, as this plant requires a certain amount of sunlight to remain healthy.
To fertilize it (and wet it) you can always use a specific fertilizer for succulents, mixed with water; remember that irrigation must be really infrequent – about once a month or, in any case, only when the soil is very dry.
From November to February, the operation should be further limited.
Another feature of the Opuntia microdasys albata is that it does not tolerate temperatures that are too low: therefore, in winter, place it in a warm place, indoors, near a well-lit window.
From spring to summer, these plants will tend to emit new ‘leaves‘ (called cladodes): eliminate the excess ones, according to the shape you want to give to the plant.
Echinopsis subdenudata
If you like the Echinopsis subdenudata, you will need to be a little careful in choosing where to place it, since it needs the right amount of light. To understand if the spot you have chosen is good, check that the plant does not ‘stretch’ too much, in which case it would mean that it does not have enough light.
On the contrary, if the tissues take on a brownish color and tend to harden, then the light is excessive.
With a little patience and a spirit of observation, you will find the perfect place for this plant.
Again, avoid temperatures that are too low; always keep it above 10°C.
At the same time, make sure that the environment does not exceed 30°C, which often happens when you put a plant near a double-glazed window.
Fertilization and watering must be carried out maily in spring and summer, always with the same method shown before; stop the operations in the cold season.
Photo credits: Simpio96 , Anna-Maria , funyane_pics
Sgaravatti Trend Staff
