Stapelia stapelia

Cootra family, flipper subfamily. Homeland Africa (mainly Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Botswana, Zimbabwe).

The name Stapelia was introduced by Linnaeus, who described this succulent in 1737. The genus is named after Johannes van Stapel Johannes Bodaeus van Stapel (1602-1636), a famous doctor and botanist.

There are about 50 species in nature. This is a fairly common succulent plant, unpretentious and easily propagated at home. All stapelias are herbaceous bush-like plants, without a pronounced main stem. Over time, they take a semi-ampel form. In most species, the stems are tetrahedral, with well-defined teeth on the ribs, with a thickness of 5 mm to 5 cm in different species. The stems may be pure green or reddish, glabrous or hairy. Tubercles are clearly defined in continuous rows. In some species, the tubercles are almost not pronounced - rounded convexes about 1-2 mm, in others - pointed, in the form of papillae up to 6 mm long. The blooming flowers in shape resemble a pubescent star, as a rule, at the base the petals are fused into a wide funnel, the free parts of the petals are sharply triangular in shape. Inside the corolla are two crowns (in two tiers) with narrow petals averaging about 5-10 mm in diameter.

The flowers of the stapels have a sharp unpleasant smell, which is almost not felt in some species, while in others it leads to headache if the plant cannot be taken out of the room. Such odors (similar to rotten meat) serve to attract pollinating insects, including Calliphoridae meat flies. The exception is rare species, for example, Stapelia flavopurpurea - they have flowers with a pleasant aroma.

Stapelia large-flowered

Stapelia hairy

Stapelia gigantea

The stapelias of the giant "Stapelia gigantea" are a very variable species with very large shrub sizes. In nature it grows in an extensive group, forming a colony up to 2 m in diameter. Why a colony, not a bush? Because the long branching stems of this succulent, lying on the surface of the soil, start roots like air branches. The stems are ribbed, tubercles slightly protruded, with an elongated tip. The funny shape of the flower buds - the tip of the bud is thin, the narrowed ends of the petals in the bud are twisted in a long spiral.
Stapelia large-flowered Stapelia grandiflora - the species is distinguished by extremely large flowers (the largest among the genus of stapels) - their sizes are from 10 to 15 mm in diameter. Its stems have distinct ribs, and the tubercles are almost pressed to the stem. The flowers are dark purple, brown towards the tips, with long purple hairs. The lower part of the petals with long, white hairs. This species is very similar to gigantea, but differs in that in buds the ends of the petals are either not twisted or form a very short spiral.
Stapelia clavicorona stapelia - this species is endemic to Limpopo province in South Africa, from very hot places. Ribbed stems, tubercles thick short-conical in shape, directed perpendicular to the stem, covered with a light wax coating at the end. The stems themselves are olive green and reddish during the hottest dry season. The flowers are small, about 5 cm in diameter, pale pinkish from the center, light green to the edges of the petals, with thin purple transverse stripes.
Stapelia hairy stapelia is widespread in South Africa, a very changeable species (c flowers detail pattern and color). In general, it is very similar to Stapelia large-flowered. The stems are short, up to 20 cm long, the flowers are large 15-20 cm in diameter (at home about 10-12 cm). The flowers are cream, purple in the center, with purple transverse lines. There is a variety with flowers tinted with fresh bloody meat. The hairs on the petals are significantly thicker than in other species.
Stapelia variegata Stapelia variegata according to modern botanical taxonomy belongs to another genus - this is Orbea variegata. Caring for her, however, is no different from the stocks.

Stapelia care

Temperature: Moderate in summer, stapelia does not like extreme heat - on such days it needs to be shaded. Of course, in my homeland, the stapels grow under the scorching sun, but in the open fresh air. At home, ordinary ventilation is usually not enough, in addition, from the heat and sun, the stems acquire a reddish tint and are somewhat thinning. In winter, it is better to keep the slipway at a temperature of 15-16 ° C, at least 8 ° C, with very limited watering (once a month - one and a half ).

Lighting: Stapelia loves a bright place, with some direct sunlight, on the south window, you need shading from 11 to 15 hours - from the bright sun the stems of the stapelia burn out, acquire a red-brown hue. In winter, the brightest place, full sunlight, without shading.

Watering: Moderate in spring and summer, shrinking in autumn, and limited watering in winter. From drying at the stapelia, the stems wrinkle slightly, but after watering they restore their shape. From the overflow, it dies from root and stem rot. Therefore, the irrigation plan is as follows: after the top layer of the earth dries, the soil is dry to the touch, we wait a few more days before watering again. In hot weather, summer or a warm room in winter (when illuminated) can be watered after 3 days, in the season when there is no heating or hot dry days in summer - after 5 days, as the top layer of soil will dry.

Fertilizer: From April to August, they are fed with special fertilizer for cacti and other succulents once a month.

Air humidity: Stapels are resistant to dry air, do not need spraying.

Transplantation: Annually in spring into loose, well-drained soil. Soil: 1 part of turf, 1 part of sheet, 1 part of coarse river sand or small gravel (2-3 mm). Pick up a slipway pot wide and shallow, if plastic, then good drainage to the bottom. You can use purchased soil for cacti. Soil pH should be in the range from 6.5-7 (close to neutral), does not like the stapelia of acidic soils.

Reproduction: Stem cuttings, about 5-10 cm long, which are dried for 2 days. Just put the cuttings on the ground surface, do not drip, you can only lightly press or fix with a paper clip, bending it with the letter U. Moisten the soil from the spray gun once a week, and watering can begin when the roots appear. They also propagate the staple with seeds, which need to be sown in wide plates and put in a warm place under the bag. Moisten from the spray bottle and be sure to ventilate. The stapels come up in 4-7 days and immediately you need to provide good lighting (in winter with lamps).

Growing problems

Stapels are unpretentious and resistant to pests.
Problems may appear in connection with violation of the conditions of detention.
With excessive watering, the stems of the plant become lethargic, pale and rot.
From too bright midday sun, spots or burns can remain if the plant is not accustomed to such lighting after a dark winter. In this case, the stems first acquire a reddish tint.
With a lack of nutrients or defective lighting, the stems stretch and thin, the plant does not bloom.