Stapelia grandiflora
works bung us and provide us with fresh air to breathe . They beautify our landscapes , and clear up up our homes .
And when we develop houseplant like starfish flower – they provide us with a source of fascination and curio !
If you ’re thinking of grow a starfish flower or have already bring in one into your dwelling , praise !
Photo by Maja Dumat, Wikimedia Commons, viaCC BY-SA.
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And welcome to the discerning club of folks who are unforced to put up with stinky flowers in the name of gorgeous blooms .
We ’re going to comprehend everything you ’ll need to do it to give care for your succulent works .
Photo by Maja Dumat, Wikimedia Commons, viaCC BY-SA.
Here ’s a sneak peep at what we ’re going to talk about :
What You’ll Learn
What Is Starfish Flower?
Starfish flower , Stapelia grandiflora , is a leafless succulent with good or ascending stems that are about half an in to one in spacious . Plants mold clumps of stems that can have a 20 column inch scatter .
Individual stems can reach up to 12 column inch tall and are pale green to reddish , depending on sun photograph .
The stalk of this succulent have four angle , and these are punctuated with “ tubercle , ” humble protuberances that make the plant look like a spined cactus – although these plant are not setaceous in the least !
Produced from later summer to accrue and born at the radix of the plant , flower bud grow to seem like high-sounding balloons , then open to expose star shaped flowers , each with five long petals .
These heyday attain six column inch wide and are a scarlet - browned to violet people of colour . The centers of the flowers are covered with farseeing purple hair while the petals are covered with foresighted white hairs that are almost pelt - like .
The surface of the prime has a furrowed grain and pattern that looks similar to a cross section of raw heart .
This collection of trait is no accident – these flowers have evolved to lie around looking like stagnant animals to draw in their favourite pollinators : flies .
And the flowers of this flora do n’t onlylookappealing to flies , they also utter just the case of smelling that would also convince a fly sheet to go take a gander – a smell that gives these plants their moniker “ carrion flowers . ”
By the way , if you ’re disquieted about attracting fly indoors , as long as you have CRT screen on your window , you should n’t expect them to invade your family .
As off - putting as this may voice , not everyone will notice the smell of the heyday .
However , the odor give off by these blooms does tend to get stronger the longer they are open .
As a result to this trouble , many houseplant nurseryman keep these plants outdoors during the warm months , which is when bloom usually appear .
If fly oblige the flora , the flowers are pollenate and seeded player pods are produced , which are retentive and thin .
Seeds are slow to ripen , however , taking up to a twelvemonth . At maturity , the ejaculate seedcase split undetermined , revealing their downy contentedness .
Like the come of its relative , milkweed , the seeds of the starfish flower are attached to silklike plumes , which enable them to be transmit by the wind .
Cultivation and History
Classified botanically asStapelia grandiflora , starfish efflorescence is aboriginal to South Africa where it grows in teetotal shrubland or desert habitat .
This member of the dogbane family line or Apocynaceae may somewhat resemble a cactus , and is sometimes call “ starfish efflorescence cactus ” – but cactus it is not !
In fact , it ’s more closely connect to milkweed , frangipani , andoleanderthan it is toprickly pear tree . It ’s also a close congenator to other mavin of the houseplant world such ashoyasandstring of hearts .
This plant ’s genus , Stapelia , take about 43 coinage , many of which also go by the name “ starfish blossom . ” complicate things a bit , members of two other genera , OrbeaandHuernia , also go by the name “ starfish blossom . ”
Care for these other species can be different from one to the other since they originate in dissimilar habitats , so essay to find out which species you have before take on its want are the same asS. grandiflora !
Together these succulent plants with their starfish - shaped blossom are known as “ stapeliads , ” a terminal figure which come up from the genus nameStapelia . They are also known as “ African starfish bloom ” and “ carrion bloom , ” the latter because of their tendency to look and smell like decompose chassis !
Though commonly cultivated as houseplants , S. grandifloracan also be farm outdoors year - round inUSDA Hardiness Zones9 to 11 .
Starfish Flower Propagation
Starfish flower cactus can be pass around from seeds or cuttings , the latter of which is the wanton – and fastest – method .
From Seed
allow ’s look into propagating starfish blossom from seminal fluid first .
Here ’s what you ’ll involve for this labor : seeds , cactus and succulent uprise medium , two- to four - column inch greenhouse pot or extension trays , a spray bottle for watering , and plastic base or humidity dome .
verify you ’re using seeded player that have fully ripen , but are also fairly impertinent since clean seeds have serious sprouting rates .
Fill the nursery pots or trays with growing medium , leaving a half an inch to an column inch of space between the top of the soil and the rim of the flowerpot .
Place the seeds one column inch aside , and continue softly with soil . Water with a spray feeding bottle , then enshroud each wad with a humidness noggin or plastic traveling bag to keep humidness high .
set up the pots in a strong location , preferably between 75 to 95 ° F . You may need to utilise a heat mat to keep the seeds warm .
demand a high temperature mat ? The Seedling Heat Mat is available in three size of it and can bepurchased via Gardener ’s Supply .
billet pots in bright , indirect light and keep them moist , but do n’t countenance the growing culture medium get soggy as this can lead todamping off , which will kill immature seedlings .
After sprouting , remove the heap from the heating system Master of Arts in Teaching . A few days after germination , remove the humidness domes .
carry on to water the seedlings with a sprayer bottle for at least the first month or so , keeping the develop medium slightly moist but not wet .
When seedlings are about two inches tall , lachrymation can be reduced , and they can be repot into their own four - inch stool .
Plants usually bloom within two to three age when propagated from seed .
From Cuttings
Would you favour to propagate starfish prime from cut ? The best clock time for this project is in summer when conditions are lovesome .
Here ’s what you ’ll necessitate : a parent plant to take cuttings from , cactus and succulent grow medium , pots , and desex pair of scissors or plant snips .
Plan on taking at least three prow press clipping per modest kitty for a nicely filled out specimen . Take cuttings about an column inch above the soil line , choosing stanch that are four to five inches marvelous or more .
permit cutting to callus over in a shaded , wry location before planting – this may take up to two weeks .
While you wait for the succulent cuttings to callosity , find some pots to employ for propagating the cuttings .
Not sure which size pot to use ?
pick out a pot on the shallow side , no more than four or five inch deep . As for width , that look on how many cuttings you have .
For a pot that ’s four inches widely , you could found close to three to eight cutting off , depend on how fat the stems are .
Shallow Terra Cotta Clay potentiometer
These four - inch terra cotta clay pot are a great size of it for a small group of cuttings and are available in packs of eightvia Amazon .
After the cutting have formed calluses , devise the can by filling them with juiceless develop mass medium . leave behind an in of space between the top of the soil and the flange of the grass .
Next , excavate out a space in the centre of the pot that ’s about two inches deep and wide enough to accommodate the grouping of cuttings .
compact up the film editing close together and check that that the callused ends are all at about the same level , then stick in the end of the slip into the hollowed infinite .
Press soil around the cuttings , and firm it down , so that the stems stay upright .
Place the flock in smart , indirect visible light for a week , but do n’t irrigate the cutting until a week has passed .
After a workweek , start to H2O lightly when the growing medium prohibitionist out . Also , bulge to bit by bit transition the specimen to some lineal Sunday pic .
The carving should be well rooted within a month or so , at which stop the plant can be cared for like a mature specimen . plant can bloom within a year when propagated from slip .
desire more tips for this process?Learn more about circularise houseplants in our clause !
How to Grow Starfish Flower
If you enjoygrowing succulentsbecause they are fairly leisurely to care for , starfish flower plants will not disappoint !
When grown indoors , the best potential spark for starfish flower is unmediated sunlight photo , so place your flora close to a south - facing windowpane where it can soak up rays and where it will be more likely to produce its gorgeous blossom .
However , if condition are extremely live , offering this plant a little less unmediated Sunday for part of the day is best . At leastfour hour of direct sun per solar day is a expert finish to draw a bead on for , while the rest of the plant ’s daily light exposure should be hopeful , collateral light .
That goes for specimens grown outdoors as well , either all class in worthy USDA Hardiness Zones , or for the summer in other locations . They will thrive in full sunlight to part shade , but choose part shade when conditions are hot .
When it come in to watering , allow the growing spiritualist to dry out out almost wholly in between visits with thewatering can , but moderate it more often when circumstance are hot . If you are n’t certain , err on the side of underwatering rather than overwatering .
Since the growing medium wo n’t dry out as fast during the shorter , cooler days of wintertime , you wo n’t necessitate to irrigate as often then .
During cool atmospheric condition , seek to avoid watering on overcast days to ward off subjecting the houseplant to conditions that are damp and chilly .
To ensure that the grease does n’t become waterlogged , choose a produce medium design for cactus and succulent that is gritty and has excellent drain , such as Fat Plants San Diego Cactus and Succulent Growing Medium , a choice which ispeat - costless .
fertile Plants Cactus and Succulent Growing Medium
you may find it in a salmagundi of package sizesavailable via Amazon .
you could alsomake your own succulent pot soil – discover how with our article !
If you ’re creating your own growing medium or produce this plant in the ground in Zones 9 to 11 , purport for a pH between 6.5 to 7.5 .
Not certain what your soil pH is?Use a soil test kit to come up out !
As for temperature , these succulents relish the warmth cater by a sunny windowpane , but as previously notice , when conditions heat up in midsummer , such as in homes without airconditioning , they choose a partial 24-hour interval of collateral spark .
you’re able to do this by either moving the pot slightly farther from the window or by using a sheer , white curtain to filter the sunshine .
If you keep this succulent outdoors during the summertime and inhabit in a location with cold winters , be certain to add it in before the mercury drops too much in autumn – these plant can be hurt by temperature below 40 ° degree Fahrenheit .
Although the smell from the flora ’s blooms is n’t always detectable , if yours is a bother , placing it outdoors during summer is a good solution .
Growing Tips
Maintenance
If you ’re look for a low sustentation houseplant , you ’ve certainly got one withS. grandiflora , and it will produce flush easy too !
Once the flowers have faded , finger free to snip them off with a pair of desexualize pair of scissors or garden tinsnips , but be thrifty not to cut off novel prime .
As these plant life are accustomed to piteous ground , plant food is n’t really required . However , if you ’d like to encourage more vigorous ontogenesis , practice a gentle fertilizer designed for cacti and succulents , such as Dr. Earth ’s juiciness .
Dr. Earth Succulence
You ’ll find Dr. Earth ’s Succulence Cactus and Succulent Plant Food available for purchase in a 16 - oz. pump bottlevia Arbico Organics .
fertilise once a month at most , from spring through summer .
As for repotting , this is another indoor horticulture labor you wo n’t have to interest about very often – every two twelvemonth at most .
These plants prefer to be potbound , and their fore can be allow for to talk over the edges of their pots . In fact , rather than repot , you might prefer harvesting some clipping to commence a new houseplant .
When you do decide to repot , prefer a fairly shallow container – no more than four or five inches is cryptic enough – and check that it has drainage holes in the bottom .
And if you populate in a humid environment , using an glassless clay commode will permit the grow metier to dry more easy .
Where to Buy Starfish Flower
Not as common asaloe veraorjade plant , this stapeliad can sometimes be found from plant vendor who particularise in succulents .
Starfish FlowerS. Grandiflora
If you ’d like to grow one of your own , you may purchase a small starfish flower specimen in a four - column inch potvia Amazon .
Managing Pests and Disease
Experienced houseplant parent will be no strangers to the likes ofmealybugs , the principal pest likely to affect these lush plants .
When they are present , these flossy little white insect suck nutrients from the radical of the flora , which can de-escalate it . Making matters worse , the excrement of these insect are unenviable and can let fungous pathogen to gain a foothold , eventually causing the plant ’s roots or stems to rot .
If you find mealybugs on your plant life , you’re able to shoot down them by applying neem oil , a Cartesian product that is nontoxic to human beings and favourite . Neem crude oil will get disembarrass of your mealybug problem , and avail take care of any fungal pathogen as well .
Emily ’s Naturals Neem Oil is a mathematical product that comes with modest packets of neem oil and castile liquid ecstasy as well as an empty atomiser bottleful . When you ’re quick to use it , mix a packet each of neem oil and Castilla soap in the spray feeding bottle with water supply from your own spigot .
Emily ’s Naturals Neem Oil
Emily ’s Naturals Neem Oil comes in a kit quick to make 48 ounces of neem vegetable oil atomiser and is uncommitted for purchasevia Walmart .
Be certain to try a small patch of stem first to check your plant ’s response to the merchandise .
After applying , keep your plant out of verbatim Dominicus for a few day – oil on the works tissue can cause burn in lineal sun .
You may want to reapply the neem fossil oil once a week for a few weeks until the pests are go , but do n’t give up – this treatment does work . Be trusted to spray the radical of the works and the growing medium as well .
If you ’re dealing with rotting stem , the best resort may be to lop off any healthy radical and propagate them , give the houseplant a 2d chance .
you’re able to learn more about rot in succulent with our clause .
Best Uses of Starfish Flower
Starfish flower can hearten up a quad by gracing a table top or window sill – or it can be deposit in a paries plantation owner orhanging planter .
In fact , stapeliads are amongthe best trailing cacti and succulent for hanging basket !
They can also be merge with other case of fleshy plants in mixedsucculent planters .
Or why not get impulsive and include these ina succulent nance garden ?
In USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11 , they can be grown outdoors year - round as long as filth with first-class drain is usable .
These plants are considered to bexerophytesand are especially assess in rock-and-roll gardens .
Quick Reference Growing Guide
The Star of the Succulent Show
Simple to care for , play to propagate , and featuring unbelievable blooms that need petty blarney , starfish prime makes a wonderful succulent houseplant provided you have plenty of sunshine to keep it happy .
And permit us know if you need any help with a plant problem or with distinguish the mintage of your particular starfish flower – we ’d be happy to assist !
While you’reexploring the wonderful world of succulents , how about some further show right here ?
Photo by Kristina Hicks - Hamblin © Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . merchandise photos via Amazon , Dr. Earth , Emily ’s Naturals , the Fat Plants San Diego Store , and Gardener ’s Supply . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
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Kristina Hicks - Hamblin
