About the genus
In habitat they grow in the Eastern Cape of South Africa and also the central and eastern regions of the Western Cape. They can be found growing in a variety of soils, with most growing in shale and sandstone.
Glottiphyllums are highly succulent and relatively fast-growing plants. They remain close to the ground and will form small clumps of compact rosettes. Some species branch more extensively so that the plants become multi-headed on sprawling stems. The leaves are narrow, tongue-shaped and vary in degrees of length, and they are generally smooth and soft to the touch. In the adult stage a pair of leaves will tend to be asymmetric with one leaf appearing slightly or even considerably larger than its partner. In many species the leaves are bright green in colour, though some, during part of the year, display red to purple leaves. The large flowers are showy and bright yellow. Fruits, when formed, are large, pale and soft with clearly demarcated valves and large self-closing bodies after seeds have been released.
How to grow them
Cultivation is generally easy for most species of Glottiphyllum. However, they do have soft leaves so great care has to be taken to avoid unsightly damage, and overwatering makes the bloated leaves easy to mark, especially when handling. Scorch and insects can also produce scarring. In cultivation they are likely to exceed the dimensions of habitat plants, a not unusual phenomenon with many cacti and succulents. Dieback, if it occurs, will most likely form in the centre of the clump which is both annoying and undesirable.
For the potting mix I use John Innes No3 (various brands are available) and a clay based loam (often used in connection with laying cricket pitches) which may be available locally, grit (granite when available, otherwise alpine grit), cat litter in two grades, which are 4mm and another with pieces between 4–10mm, and also Perlite. The John Innes/loam mix will be about 40% of the compost content with the other three at 20% each. This is a very open textured medium which allows ready drainage to prevent soggy conditions at root level while the ingredients, except for the grit, hold sufficient and evenly-spread moisture that the plant can benefit from.
For glottiphyllums, the main watering periods are March through to June, followed by a rest period until late August. During the resting period, the only water offered is such as to prevent the leaves becoming shrivelled and the plant showing deprivation. Watering can then resume, with more caution than in spring, in late August or early September (dependent on weather conditions) continuing until October and into November if the weather stays warm, which is not often. Plants are then allowed to remain dry from mid-autumn through to the following March. While I cannot claim to have perfect plants without any marking I do feel they grow well under this regime. Adult plants should produce many flowers around September and October with some continuing to flower into November if there is sufficient sunshine.
Text (adapted) by Peter Bint. Photos by Chris Leather.
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