Orbea variegata
Starfish plant or Carrion-flower
€12.00
VAT included
Fast and safe delivery throughout Europe
Our commitments
- 100% French production
- Without fertilizers or chemicals
- Plant growth rate respected
Not grafted, not hybridized
Caractéristiques de la plante
- Orbea variegata : Starfish plant
- Family :Apocynaceae
- Origin : South Africa
- Height in its natural environment : 15 cm
- Hardiness : 5°C
- Colour of the flower : yellow, brown with purple nuances
Height : about 5 to 15 cm (depending on seasons)
Plant description
We offer two Carrion-flowers that are very similar to each other, Orbea variegata and Orbea verrucosa. Verrucosa has darker flowers than variegata, with a strong predominance of reddish-purple. Its stems are thicker and more square than variegata. But they are both equally beautiful!
This Carrion-flower has neither leaves nor thorns, but only small stems that stand or creep upright and take care of photosynthesis. They can take on reddish hues when exposed to intense direct sunlight. It's called a “Cactus”, but it's not a member of this family: like the Caralluma socotrana it's related to the Plumerias and Pachypodiums.
Carrion-flower They also attract pollinating insects with an unpleasant scent reminiscent of carrion, but fortunately, Orbea emits only a very mild scent, which is easily forgiven by the beauty of its blooms! Its “starfish” appearance also comes from the resemblance of its stems to salicornia, a delicious seaside plant with an iodized taste..
Our Orbea grows in rocky soil and, unlike glasswort, hates water retention at the roots. We therefore need to provide it with a well-draining substrate, water sparingly, and give it a well-deserved winter rest, ideally in a frost-free, well-lit room, to encourage the appearance of flowers in the warmer season.
In short, a cactus that's not a cactus, a starfish that hates too much water, but a space-saving, original and spectacular indoor plant!
Conseils de culture
Rempoter ?
Arroser ?
Apport d'éléments nutritifs ?
Plante d'intérieur ou plante d'extérieur ?
Que faire en cas de maladie ?
-
Orbea verrucosa, growing tips
-
Repotting -
Watering -
For an indoor planting -
For an outdoor planting -
Pruning -
Fertilizer -
In case of pest attack -
Rayon de Serre's word
When you receive your plant, repot it in a pot slightly larger than the bucket, which must be well pierced. Avoid pot covers which prevent residual water from draining away and encourage fungal diseases. Choose a fine potting soil, ideally with added perlite or sand to lighten the substrate (do not use garden soil or acidic soil such as heather). Then plan two repottings per year (spring and autumn), gradually increasing the size of the pot and adapting it to the size of the root network (the roots must have room, but not too much as the plant must be able to dry out its substrate between waterings). This avoids having to add fertilizer, which always risks burning the fragile roots of the plants and making the plant wither as soon as the fertilizer is stopped.
Moderate watering: watering should be copious (the whole root ball should be wet), but wait until the substrate has dried deeply before watering again (you can stick your finger in the soil: as long as you feel moisture, do not water). Your plant will recover better from a lack of water than from an excess of water. Always water at the base of the plant, and do not mist it, because stagnant water in the armpit of the leaves favors cryptogamic diseases. If your atmosphere is too dry, put bowls of water nearby (above radiators for example), so that evaporation humidifies the air.
Your plant is best taken out in summer, full sun is perfect for it. It should be brought indoors in winter, and ideally placed in a warm and luminous place, like in a veranda or behind a window. It fears excessive humidity when temperatures are low, so avoid cold rooms. Attention: do not take it out and bring it in all the time, it should be taken out in good weather, then brought in when the cold weather arrives, because plants adapt their foliage to their environment, which should not constantly change. It often happens that plants lose their foliage when they are taken out and/or put in, don't worry, your plant will adapt and will emit its new foliage accordingly.
This plant is not frost and/or cold resistant and should not be planted outside except in limited parts of Southern Europe.
This plant can not be pruned If you feel that it is becoming too bulky, you can limit its growth by continuing to repot it and change its substrate but without increasing the size of the pot. If the root network becomes too important, do not hesitate to prune the roots.
Our plants are grown naturally, without chemical fertilizers, so we advise you to repot them regularly (twice a year) rather than adding fertilizer.
If your plants are under attack by aphids or other pests, the best way to control them is by hand. Change their soil, remove as many undesirables as possible by hand and then shower your plants with a strong stream of water to eliminate any eggs that may be present. Spray them (insist on the underside of the leaves) with liquid black soap diluted in water. Repeat the operation several times at a few days interval. Take them outside in good weather, rain, sun and wind will kill most of the aggressors!
Beware of too much water: they can't stand water retention at the roots.
- Repotting
- Watering
- For an indoor planting
- For an outdoor planting
- Pruning
- Fertilizer
- In case of pest attack
- Rayon de Serre's word
When you receive your plant, repot it in a pot slightly larger than the bucket, which must be well pierced. Avoid pot covers which prevent residual water from draining away and encourage fungal diseases. Choose a fine potting soil, ideally with added perlite or sand to lighten the substrate (do not use garden soil or acidic soil such as heather). Then plan two repottings per year (spring and autumn), gradually increasing the size of the pot and adapting it to the size of the root network (the roots must have room, but not too much as the plant must be able to dry out its substrate between waterings). This avoids having to add fertilizer, which always risks burning the fragile roots of the plants and making the plant wither as soon as the fertilizer is stopped.
Moderate watering: watering should be copious (the whole root ball should be wet), but wait until the substrate has dried deeply before watering again (you can stick your finger in the soil: as long as you feel moisture, do not water). Your plant will recover better from a lack of water than from an excess of water. Always water at the base of the plant, and do not mist it, because stagnant water in the armpit of the leaves favors cryptogamic diseases. If your atmosphere is too dry, put bowls of water nearby (above radiators for example), so that evaporation humidifies the air.
Your plant is best taken out in summer, full sun is perfect for it. It should be brought indoors in winter, and ideally placed in a warm and luminous place, like in a veranda or behind a window. It fears excessive humidity when temperatures are low, so avoid cold rooms. Attention: do not take it out and bring it in all the time, it should be taken out in good weather, then brought in when the cold weather arrives, because plants adapt their foliage to their environment, which should not constantly change. It often happens that plants lose their foliage when they are taken out and/or put in, don't worry, your plant will adapt and will emit its new foliage accordingly.
This plant is not frost and/or cold resistant and should not be planted outside except in limited parts of Southern Europe.
This plant can not be pruned If you feel that it is becoming too bulky, you can limit its growth by continuing to repot it and change its substrate but without increasing the size of the pot. If the root network becomes too important, do not hesitate to prune the roots.
Our plants are grown naturally, without chemical fertilizers, so we advise you to repot them regularly (twice a year) rather than adding fertilizer.
If your plants are under attack by aphids or other pests, the best way to control them is by hand. Change their soil, remove as many undesirables as possible by hand and then shower your plants with a strong stream of water to eliminate any eggs that may be present. Spray them (insist on the underside of the leaves) with liquid black soap diluted in water. Repeat the operation several times at a few days interval. Take them outside in good weather, rain, sun and wind will kill most of the aggressors!
Beware of too much water: they can't stand water retention at the roots.
You might like them !
Orbea variegata