A Conophytum for All Seasons Solved

[Terry S.]

The great majority of conophytums flower during the autumn months from August-October, but a few do flower at other times. The most recent addition to the spring-flowering species is C. youngii which is in flower at the moment in my greenhouse. It is presently only known from one hill in Namaqualand, which is actually quite close to the main north-south road, but remained hidden from science until discovered about ten years ago.

I am pollinating the flowers using my single hair method, but the seed capsules will not be ripe until summer 2021. My experience with the seed is that it does not germinate well, particularly when first harvested. With year old seed, I have not achieved more than 25% germination. However, once past the initial stages, it does not seem too difficult to grow and slowly builds into small clumps. It is certainly easier than the closely-related C. rugosum. During the winter growing-season the warty bodies are a curious grey-green colour, but as they enter dormancy, they take on red hues. Photos of wild plants show them to be bright red at flowering time.

The only other conos in flower at the moment are C. primavernum and khamiesbergense, but C. chrisocruxum and bachelorum should follow on soon.

[rodsmith]

Lovely flowers Terry, well captured - and plump little bodies.

[iann]

That's very nice. Fills a gap in the Conophytum calendar.

[Christian]

They look great! When would you expect them to be flowering size? I have a sole survivor of MSG 3082, it is still small but looks happy enough, sown early April 2018.

[Terry S.]

Single heads are flowering at about 3 years old with me, but a friend in the Orkneys (using lights, you have to!) flowered one in about a year.

[Tony R]

Single heads are flowering at about 3 years old with me, but a friend in the Orkneys (using lights, you have to!) flowered one in about a year.

Orkney not "the Orkneys" as Allan would tell you

[Christian]

Fingers crossed for next year then!

[Geri88]

It's beautiful!