I am amazed that there are problems with Pleiospilos Nelli.
I have been breeding these plants for years they are incredibly robust...Read More. However!
They are succulents mainly from the Karoo Desert in South Africa. They are pretty cold hardy even to freezing a few times.
You should never overwater succulents from this region as they dont really have a 'water stop valve'. They will eventually split and burst. Always use a porous pot and gritty compost. The roots must be kept watered in the summer in order to flower (unlike the other species). That doesent mean plant them in a pond! Watch the moisture ring from the bottom of the pot and water lightly when dry. Remember why these plants are succulent. If humans are flooded they get upset too and have to claim on thier insurance!
Nelli unlike the other species flowers in our spring and will begin to pout new leaves in september. Buds form from February. Nelli is the only non yellow flowering species typically having peach flowers.
Royal flush is very beautiful and can be slow growing.
These plants grow well here. My latitude is equivalent to Washington State.
The ultimate key is to watch the plants. They have a yearly bio-clock they are not like 'water and go' rain forest house plants. If you watch them they will tell you when they are ready.
I've had this plant shipped to me by TWO different nurseries and both plants died within a month. I know it's not the nursery because I u...Read Moresed a different nursery the second time, so I believe that the combination of shipping and not being fully prepared to roll out the red carpet for it (as was made clear by the other person that posted) caused me to fail to keep it alive. Although a pretty plant, I will not get this one again, unless I try from seed.
This is a plant that one needs to follow its needs with discipline. Unlike many mesembs it doesn't do well if watered in summer. ...Read More
Very light early morning misting begins in mid-Dec. If the plant responds positively to the misting then increase the volume of mist.
Continued positive response would call for very light watering. Planting medium must be very porous, light of organic rapid draining. Best to never deluge plant. I use pure water or rain water so that there is no mineral buildup on the leaves or in the soil. A little orchid bloom fertilizer in early Jan each watering.
A most rewarding flowering occurs in early February.
I am amazed that there are problems with Pleiospilos Nelli.
I have been breeding these plants for years they are incredibly robust...Read More
I've had this plant shipped to me by TWO different nurseries and both plants died within a month. I know it's not the nursery because I u...Read More
This is a plant that one needs to follow its needs with discipline. Unlike many mesembs it doesn't do well if watered in summer.
...Read More