Conophytum Luckhoffii

[Roatavator]

I’m pretty happy with most of my Conos, but one which always looks a little under par is Luckhoffii. I’ve three plants, they all seem to take much longer to get started every year, and all have patches which appear to have died off. I can’t work out whether they’re particularly prone to scorching or whether they need to be kept a little moist in the dormant season. The patches seem random so I’m wondering if I keep them too dry then. Any help gratefully received!
Thanks Peter

[Ali Baba]

You could restart it from cuttings. I had to do that with luckhoffii last year and it certainly reinvigorates it.

[conolady]

Yes, I'd restart with a few cuttings, but, for the future, I'd keep it lightly watered and in the shade during the summer rest. I do that now with all my small headed conos and it works well. I'm sure the random dying off is due to drought and scorch.

[Roatavator]

Thanks both. More water and shade next time it is then! I’ll divide the worst plant and start off a tray of cuttings as well.

[Terry S.]

I suspect too that the problem is caused by an excess of summer sun, so perhaps a bit more shade. I do not water any of my conos during the dormant period but do start them into growth fairly early these days, usually in the second half of July unless the night temperatures are very high as last year. I then hold off until it cools a bit. The Minuscula section, to which this species belongs, does tend to take a bit longer than others to get into growth.

Do not try to take cuttings now, it is a bit too late to get them established before the warmer weather. Wait until September.

[Roatavator]

Thanks Terry

[ChrisR]

There are now many forms of C.luckhoffi in cultivation and some are neater growing than others. A paricularly untidy form with me is Baboon Point.....nicer ones are Skerpheuwal, Eagle's Pride and Matjiesrivier.

Eagle's Pride

[Tina]

Cor, I prefer the untidy form,lovely

[Roatavator]

That’s a beauty, Chris!