Antimima ventricosa - 20 seeds
Antimima ventricosa - 20 seeds
Antimima ventricosa is a small succulent shrub, Basally branched with very short internodes, forming a compact cushion and bearing large flowers. These peculiar plants are heterophyllous, that is to say that they produce leaves of two kinds on a branch: the first pair of the season (for the summer dormant period) connate for almost half its length, sheathing over in summer and enclosing subsequent leaves; other leaf pair (during the winter) up to 4 inches (10 cm) long, opposite, joined at the base, with a longer free part, keeled near the tip, silvery green, waxed and joined with the shorter drier outside pair framing the larger younger inner pair. Flowers are showy, daisy-like, mauve with pink staminodes centrally collected.
Cultivation and Propagation: The Antimima ventricosa is a "winter" grower which is most active from late winter until later spring and heading for summer dormancy. It is relatively easy to grow. Soil: Requires good drainage as it it is prone to root rot. It can grows outdoor in sunny, dry, rock crevices (protection against winter wet is required) It can also be cultivated in alpine house, in poor, drained soil. Fertilization: It thrives in poor soils and seems sensitive to an excess of potassium. Watering: Water minimally in summer, only when the plant starts shrivelling, water more abundantly when they are growing in the autumn and spring. Requires little water otherwise its epidermis breaks (resulting in unsightly scars). Light: It needs a bright sunny or light shade exposure in winter, but keep cool and shaded in summer. Hardiness: It prefer a very bright situation and will take a light frost (Hardy to -5°C) if it is in dry soil. USDA zones 9A – 11. Propagation: Seed in spring or (or rarely) cuttings. It is easily propagated by seed