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This charismatic bonsai-like dwarf shrub is a delightful plant which can
grow, during our Winter. In our Summer it is completely dormant and
should be given a rest.
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Family: Crassulacee
Scientific name: Tylecodon
buchholzianus (Schuldt & P.Stephan) Toelken
NOTE: Previously named
Cotyledon bucholziana this species is correctly Tylecodon
buchholzianus
Origin: Costal region from South-western Mamibia to the
Richtersveld (in the areas near the Orange River mouth) Cape Province,
South Africa.
Habitat: Grows mainly under-shrubs and do
best with some shade in the summer.
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Description: Slow growing,
dwarf bonsai-like shrub, the typical variety is erect to about 20 cm.
The plant has a swollen rootstock (caudex)
which qualifies it to be a caudiciform. It is a winter growing species,
the growth starts as early as October, but really takes off during the
first warmer days of spring.
Caudex and stems: The caudex is slightly thickened, with many
well branched pale greyish to blackish stems, side branchlets usually
short, nearly always leafless, the bark faking.
Leaves: Tylecodon buchholzianus is unique among the
Tylecodon. It can grow branches without evidence of leaves.
Microscopic leaflets perform the function of normal leaves, allowing the
branches to grow. It is also capable of setting normal leaves in the
spring; They are linear
terete, 5-15 mm long, curving upwards, glabrous.
Flowers: Glabrous pink to red, usually solitary supported by a 10
mm long
peduncle, the tube is 13mm long, the lobes are recurved.
Blooming season: January to march (Or late spring)
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The branches are grey to black with delightful red new growth.
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Tylecodon buchholzianus is one of the stranger and
smaller Tylecodon. It can grow through photosynthesis in the stem, and
only rarely bothers to set leaves at all.
Cultivation: Not particularly difficult to grow using a well
drained, cactus compost and exposed to bright light. It is a winter
grower, dormant in the summer. In the growing season water when the
roots are almost dry, prefer little or no water in summer, depending on
size. Winter minimum temperature is 5ºC but better at 8ºC. The leaves
easily drop off in cool conditions. Re pot every 2/3 years using the
above compost with added slow release fertilizer. This species usually
stay compact but if the plant get leggy with time it is possible to
prune it during the growing period to keep it tight and to encourage
caudex enlargement. It can be cut back severely and will quickly recover
when growth starts in the spring.
Propagation: Fairly easy to propagate from cuttings in late
Autumn, the fallen leaves sometimes produce adventitious roots but
usually they fail to produce a growing bud.
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