Description: P. cubiformis is small
highly succulent plant. Usually
single stemmed. Quite variable in shape, colour and size.
Stem: Up to 12 cm wide and tall, basically cube shaped or with
an evident four-sided figure form,
tuberculate, leathery skinned, The colour vary from light green (in
shaded environments) to clear olive/grey/green (in half sun) or
reddish-brown (in full sun). Old plants with peduncles along some
of the edges.
Roots: Fibrous.
Flower: In clusters, with greyish-Green hairy petals with a
purple centre. It has the largest flowers in the genus, and like the
others: IThe
cluster of flowers are
fly pollinated and smell like rotting meat.
Blooming season: Produce shoots and regularly blossoms
mainly during the end of the
summer in the bottom side of the plants, but may blooms during the
year whenever the growing conditions are appropriate.
Cultivation: Relatively easy to grow,
but mistakes are costly. If rot sets in, there is practically no time,
nor warning, before the plant turns to expensive mush.
It needs regular watering, especially during the hottest
summer day, provide also some light watering if the green house
temperatures in
winter are elevated. Either excessive and very scarce watering can
induce
rot.
Frost Tolerance: Winter temperatures must be kept over 10°
C. ( But can withstand to winter night temperature around 5° )
Sun Exposure: It take a great advantaged if grown in very strong
light but sheltered from full sun.
Cultural Practices:
Provide a very good
ventilation. It grow quite easily and fast on its own roots. it is
not difficult as commonly supposed, but inaccuracies are fatal. If
rot starts the plant will almost inevitably
die. This plant is a candidate for
under-potting, as long as you keep it watered.
Propagation: Seeds are the only way of
reproducing
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