Gasteria bicolor var. Lilliputian

November 8, 2009

Gasteria bicolor var. Lilliputian is relatively rare succulent perennial. It is one of the smallest species of the genus Gasteria growing on average only a few centimeters, unlike Gasteria exelsa, which can grow up to 1 m in diameter. Gasteria bicolor var. Lilliputian is a rare endemic plant occurring in the Eastern Cape in the sandstone mountains along the Grahamstown quartzitic. These plants grow in shallow soil in the shade of thickets, or rocky habitats. The climate is dry and warm and frosts are very light or no. Rainfall is mainly in the warmer summer months, winters are dry with occasional cold fronts with precipitation. That brings enough rain in winter.

Gasteria bicolor var. Lilliputian from the base form dense groups of ten or more rosettes leaves are 15-100 mm long and 8-14 mm wide, the leaves of young plants are arranged in two opposite rows, older plants are spiraling rosette. Flowers bloom at any time during the year, but the peak period of flowering occurs in spring. The inflorescence is simple, oblong raceme, much higher than the leaves, reaching a height of 160-400 mm. Flowers are 12-15 mm long, drooping, tubular, pink to reddish color.

Gasteria can be used as plants on the window sills, porches, growing in open culture. They are tolerant of a wide range of soils and habitats. They prefer partial shade or putovnímu are very tolerant to drought. We grow them in well-drained soil, which can handle even minimal summer watering. As with many other succulent plants, the leaves can be reddish stain, which is an indicator of inappropriate cultivation. In winter temperatures drop to the tolerance of 5 ° C without any water!

The photo can be seen reddening leaf, indicating the prolonged cold and lack vody.Fotografováno end of January, when the plant received water from the month of October and is stored at a temperature around 8 ° C.

Gasteria bicolor var. Lilliputian is easy to grow side-rosettes, leaf cuttings or by planting .. To obtain seeds from Gasteria, you have two different plants. Sowing is in spring or summer in sandy moist soil covered with a thin layer of sand (1-2 mm). Sowing the location in a warm place and kept moist. The germination occurs within 3 weeks following the first flowering in 3-4 years.

Gasteria in Africa are used in various traditional medicines. Plants and G. excelsa Gasteria croucheri are sometimes placed on the roofs of dwelling houses as a protection from being struck by lightning.
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