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Stapelia flower buds and watering
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Posted by stapeliamaniac MN (My Page) on Sun, Aug 13, 06 at 9:24
| I have a question about getting Stapeliads to flower. I think I have done most things right growing this plant, right now it is outside and gets good light (not direct) most of the day and has a good light green color. It is producing new branches and tiny flower buds are appearing. The problem I am having now and in the past with this plant is that I never can get the buds to the size where they open. They always seem to drop off way before they become large. I have heard many diffrent opinions online and in person from other growers on these plants, but none seem to be the same. One person has said that they need to be continously moist when producing flowers? Is this true? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Stapelia flower buds and watering
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| As long as the weather is warm or hot, and sunny, most stapeliads can be watered heavily and often, which is necessary for proper bud formation. Stapeliads rot when watered during cold and/ or cloudy weather, but thrive with water in heat and sun. Is there a reason it is not in direct sun? In habitat they are normally found growing near or underneath shrubs where they get dappled sunlight, but in cultivation they would probably fare better if given direct sun for a few hours. Right now I have a bunch of Huernias in bloom, and the Stapelias are forming buds. I am watering them every other day, but in the greenhouse it gets to almost 100F during the daytime. |
RE: Stapelia flower buds and watering
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| I guess it gets maybe two hours of direct morning sun but after that it is just bright on the balcony it is growing on. I am new to succulents but have grown orchids for a number of years and with the orchids I have grown it has always been bright indirect light is better than direct light in most cases. I have gotten one of my Huernias to bloom but the Stapelia plants seem to be more difficult for me. When repotting them they always have great roots and like I said the foilage is a nice green (not dark green). I guess on average I have been watering everyother day as the temps until recently have been in the 90's here. |
RE: Stapelia flower buds and watering
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| Sounds like you're doing OK, the foliage on my plants has a red tone to it, probably from the sun - your bright green foliage might be an indicator of insufficient light. You may also try adding a very dilute liquid fertilizer during bud formation to help things along. Stapeliads are not from humid tropical highlands like orchids, they need more heat and light to do well. Please keep in my mind, I am far from an expert on Stapeliads, I just have a few in my collection from which I am basing my limited advice. Here is a picture from one of my Stapeliad flowers:  |
RE: Stapelia flower buds and watering
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| Thanks for the advice. I will slowly move it into some stronger light this week. Right now there is some red on the growing tips but not a whole lot. What time of year are your plants typically blooming in? I thought I read somewhere that most bloom summer to ealy fall? Maybe with a little more patience and light I will still see some blooms. Nice looking flower by the way. |
RE: Stapelia flower buds and watering
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| I have buds forming now on the Stapelias, Huernias already bloomed or are still blooming. This picture is from last summer. Good luck! |
RE: Stapelia flower buds and watering
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| Mine are showing growth, so I'm still watering. Norma |
RE: Stapelia flower buds and watering
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- Posted by baci z10Ca (My Page) on
Wed, Aug 16, 06 at 4:37
I thought they were part sun in their native habitat, since they turn pink in the sun. A succulent fertilizer should be higher in P, which would encourage bloom.
I have a couple varieties that have bloomed intermittently over the last 2 months. |
RE: Stapelia flower buds and watering
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| Hello, i have discovered this thread, and it seems i have the same problem here. buds fall off when they are just 4mm big. Other stapelia's are flowering, like hirsuta.
Do you after 4 years found out what may cause this problem?
i really hope you can sent me an reply. best regards,
dave from Hholland Dave |
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