Sunday, June 17, 2012

Please Don't Call Me Lithops (Though I'm Awesome, Too)

I can't believe I found this mint-green cutie at a big-box store in the spring. They only had one, and it was labeled as a Lithops. It's an Argyroderma, or "silver skin" mesemb, and ain't it gorgeous?? Despite the cool and refreshing color, Argy seems to like a LOT of sun, so it's outside to catch the morning rays, then inside during the hot afternoons. Seems to want about as much water as cousin Lithops, in other words, not much. I'd love to find more of this genus someday. They hail from Namaqualand.
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8 comments:

  1. UnknownJune 17, 2012 at 4:57 AM

    Basically no water in summer, never water deeply and never on muggy day. They come from the "knersvlakte" living between quartz rocks. Beautiful plant.

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  2. gaianurseryJune 17, 2012 at 5:56 AM

    Yes, another very cool Mesemb, not a Lithops, but a different class all together, and your Argy sure is a fine example. They are peculiar, in a beautiful kinda way! :-)

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  3. UnknownJune 17, 2012 at 5:57 AM

    Thank you for the good info, Little Expanded! I'll follow your watering instructions. I would love to see these plants in situ someday. Must be amazing. But one question- how do you pronounce "knersvlakte"- is it KNAIRS-vlak-tea?

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  4. UnknownJune 17, 2012 at 5:57 AM

    Gaianursery,
    Yes, they look like some pieces of antique Korean porcelain with celadon glaze, really stunning.

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  5. UnknownJune 17, 2012 at 5:58 AM

    In fact, I've just had an idea for pots for Argies-- porcelain with celadon glaze!

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  6. gaianurseryJune 17, 2012 at 6:04 AM

    Oh, what a wonderful idea with the Argy pots! I can't wait to see them! :-) To me, they look a bit like an organic heart-shaped Tiffany & Co. living stone jewellery box. It's very sculptural and refined, and the colours are divine!

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  7. UnknownJune 17, 2012 at 7:52 AM

    Kners-vlak-te (Afrikaans) the english means something like "grinding or crackle/crumble" and vlakte "open expanse". Here is a link to Argie pic in nature http://www.zoonar.com/photo/argyroderma-sp-im-quarzfeld-sdafrika_2320078.html

    Now it is said the rocks make a grind noise when you walk over it.

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  8. UnknownJune 17, 2012 at 10:37 AM

    Interesting photo, they are just green enough to photosynthesize, but still blend into the background rocks. Great name, too! Thanks,
    M

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