Conophytum is a type of succulent plant also known as “living stones”. The care measures depend on the growth phases of the plant, which vary depending on the variety. Since the succulent is quite demanding to care for, you should have some experience. Tips for caring for Conophytum.
How to properly care for Conophytum?
Conophytum care includes regular watering during the growth phase, fertilizing sparingly with succulent or cactus fertilizer, no cutting, infrequent repotting and rest periods without watering or fertilizing. Make sure you have well-drained, mineral soil and avoid too much moisture.
How do you water Conophytum correctly?
Conophytum is watered regularly during the respective growth phase. The substrate is thoroughly moistened. Excess irrigation water is poured out. Before the next watering, the substrate must almost dry out.
During the pause in growth, a skin forms over the plant. Now the Conophytum will no longer be watered for several weeks.
Is fertilization necessary?
Like all succulents, Conophytum is fertilized sparingly and only during the growth phase. Apply cactus or succulent fertilizer at monthly intervals. The dosage stated on the packaging is halved to avoid over-fertilization.
Are you allowed to prune Conophytum?
Since the succulents remain very small, cutting is not necessary. However, you can take cuttings if you want to propagate the plant.
When will we repot?
Repotting is rarely necessary because Conophytum grows very slowly and has enough space in the pot for a long time. If the pot is completely rooted, it's time to repot.
A shallow bowl is suitable as a container, as Conophytum has shallow roots. Prepare the pot by filling it with substrate. This must be well permeable to water and contain minerals. Normal garden soil is not suitable. Put together the substrate yourself:
- Pumice gravel
- Sand
- Garden soil
After repotting, you must not fertilize Conophytum for several months.
What diseases and pests do you need to watch out for?
Avoid too much wetness. Pests almost never occur.
How do you care for Conophytum during the growth break?
Conophytum is not watered or fertilized during the growth break. The succulent is not hardy and must therefore never be kept at temperatures below freezing.
Succulents that rest in summer should be placed in a location that is not too bright. Conophytum, which takes a winter break, prefers a bright location at around 4 degrees.
Tip
Conophytes include a whole range of quite small plants that produce very different flowers. Some varieties go into winter rest, others take a summer break.
