Sarcocaulon

[jnewmark]

I recently got interested in this South African succulent and did not see any discussion threads about it. Fascinating plants, but not widely available except for very few retail offerings. 12 species in the Genus as far as I have learned. So far in my collection I have S. Vanderietiae, Crassicaule and Herrei. Anybody else collect Sarcocaulon, have any culture tips, etc. ? By the way, if this is in the wrong forum, please feel free to move.

[mickthecactus]

I have grown two crassicaule from seed earlier this year and they have done well, but, like you, any cultivation advice welcome.

[jnewmark]

I have grown two crassicaule from seed earlier this year and they have done well, but, like you, any cultivation advice welcome.

From what I can get online, full sunshine, water once a week when the leaves are green, start to withdraw as they turn yellow. Don't know how hardy they are, since I live in USDA Zone 6A, I bring them in to the greenhouse in October. Mine have not flowered as of yet.

[mickthecactus]

Yes, done that when the leaves went yellow but then they started growing again so still watering.

[jnewmark]

Yes, done that when the leaves went yellow but then they started growing again so still watering.

Yes, I've had that same thing happen with other succulents. Just about every source I have found online has, more or less said the following : " These plants are best grown in a well-drained, gravelly mixture in an area that receives long periods of strong sunlight. They should be watered once every six to 10 days during periods of active growth and leaf production. As soon as the foliage starts to show signs of yellowing or withering, water should be stopped. If your plants are outside during the summer, they should get full sun, but no rain. There should be plenty of air circulation around your plants. Overwatering is the death knell for these plants." But, I've often wondered about these plants, especially from South Africa, when was the last time they saw cultural conditions from their native land ? I don't know what its like in the UK, but , at least for me, I get most of my exotic succulents from California, and who knows what generation of Sarcocaulon I'm getting. I doubt they are directly imported from South Africa, so, could subsequent generations of Sarcocaulon adapt to conditions in California ? Some plants that are from the Southern Hemisphere, ( winter growers ) have adapted themselves to our conditions and have started to grow in Summer. So who knows what Sarcocaulon and other Southern hemisphere succulents will do when faced with different climate conditions ?

[jnewmark]

Crassicaule now has a flower bud, should open in the next couple of days.

[mickthecactus]

IMG_20200913_1237000_rewind.jpg (70.76 KiB) Viewed 5874 times

[jnewmark]

Blooming today. Wish I could figure out how to attach photos here but they either get posted upside down, or sideways.

[jnewmark]

S. Crassicaule

[jnewmark]

Well, since cold weather has finally set in, all my potted tender succulents have been moved indoors to my greenhouse, which I keep at around 50 F degrees. Since Sarcocaulon needs 60 degrees minimum at all times, I have a incandescent light over them at night to create some heat. The leaves on two of the plants are starting to turn yellow.

[mickthecactus]

Do they really need to be so hot?

I would have thought 50f was enough.

[jnewmark]

Do they really need to be so hot?

I would have thought 50f was enough.

Everything I have read about them indicates 60 F as a minimum temperature for them. They are also supposed to get full sunshine every day, which, where I live, doesn't happen that often.

[jnewmark]

Edit: I did find a source that said 49 degrees F is a minimum.

[Ann]

Sarcocaulon has been moved into Monsonia. For info http://www.llifle.com/Encyclopedia/SUCC ... rcocaulon/

[jnewmark]

Sarcocaulon has been moved into Monsonia. For info http://www.llifle.com/Encyclopedia/SUCC ... rcocaulon/

Yes, I did discover that, thanks. Sadly, although some cultivation advice is given, no minimum temperature is.