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Gasterias & Haworthias

Gasterias (photos and prices below) GASTERIAS: According to Chris Miller of the SDCSS: Gasteria are endemic to South Africa, with the main centers of distribution in the dry karroid and savanna regions of the south-eastern Cape. They are a drought resistant, shade loving, shallow root succulent. Gasterias are slow growing plants that range in height from 20 mm to 600 mm. (100mm=3.94") They adapt well to indoor conditions. The flowers are shaped like a stomach, hence the name of the plant. Flowers are usually tri-colored green, white and a range of pale pink to red. The typical habitat of Gasterias consists of dry rocky hillsides, inhabited by herbs, with taller emergent shrubs, under which the Gasteria grow. They also grow in rock fissures and in the shade of rocks. Gasterias have been in cultivation for over 300 years, with plants being shipped to Europe almost as soon as colonization started in South Africa. Gasteria propagate readily from leaf cuttings, division or seeds. They should be planted in well drained sandy soil. Most of the species prefer bright shade with protection from direct sun and severe frost. Fertilize throughout growing season. Most Gasteria need water year round, but it should be applied sparingly. When growing Gasteria in pots, clay provides better aeration and drainage, but other types of pots work equally well. Some recommendations for soil mixtures include: 2 parts sand, 1 part mulch, 1 part loam (good garden soil) or ½ peat and ½ perilite. Gasteria tend to grow more quickly in the second mixture, but remember to fertilize frequently with a liquid fertilizer. If you see black spots, avoid humidity and condensation. The black spots will not spread and are the result of the plant sealing off damage or fungal infection with phenolic substances, which oxidise to a dark colour. HAWORTHIAS: We have grouped these two together because they are very similar. Both tend to be small plants that thrive in shady corners which would not be suitable for other succulents. These are easy-to-grow plants that take little care. General succulent care is applicable. Haworthias grow best if given lots of light, with water only at the appropriate time. In most cases it is hard to give your Haworthia too much light. The exception here is a newly acquired tender plant that needs to harden up. To put a plant in direct sunlight that has never seen the sun will cause a fatal sunburn. If you place your Haworthias in the brightest light you have that is not direct sunlight, you will grow into very nice looking plants. For growing, a greenhouse is ideal, next choose a sunny South facing window, then an East or West facing window. I recommend that any move to the outside in the summer be under the shade of a tree. If you must put your plant directly in the sun, do it very gradually, just as you would treat yourself when acquiring a suntan in the spring. WATERING: Here is the rule: "Water when dry," Water until water flows out the pot's bottom hole. Then don't water until the soil is dry. You can tell by the pot's weight, but the best way to tell if watering is needed is to dig your finger or a pencil into the soil down to an inch or more and see if the soil is damp. This method works very well because if you water your Haworthia and then a wet cloudy weather system sets in, it might not require watering for 4 to 6 weeks. Be careful during cold wet winters, as a dead plant from rot can occur in days, while a dead plant from lack of water takes months and months and can be revived until the very end. Haworthia info is from Haworthia.com
	Gasteria collection 5 different gasterias 4" pot size $12.50 only $2.50 each	The plants selected will depend upon availability at the time your order is placed.
	Gasteraloe aka White Wings 4" pot $4	Gasteraloes are hybrids, a mix of Gasteria and Aloe. Thus the name, Gasteraloe. There are many different gasteraloes available . For care information, Follow directions for the plants below.
	NEW Gasteraloe Green ice 6" pot $18	Gasteraloe 'Green Ice' is a hybrid between Gasteria and Aloe. Upright rosettes. Tubular cream flowers with green stripes. Porous soil with adequate drainage. Protect from frost. Provide filtered light; hardy to 32F; to 5"+. Water thoroughly when soil is dry. Many of the plants have darker leaves or leaves with darker striation.
	Gasteria lilliputana 4" pot $4	Gasteria liliputana is a native of South Africa, It is a also a miniature member of the family Liliaceae family. It has shiny dark green rigid leaves with dense white speckles and sometimes pointy ends. Produces offsets. Hummingbirds love their pink/green flowers which appear in spring. I grow mine in low light and they do very well. They will grow in bright light also. Porous soil with good drainage.. Protect from frost. AKA ox tongue
	Gasteria marmorata 4" pot $4	Gasteria hail from South Africa. Like other gasteria they need light shade to full sun. Water moderately in summer and keep dry in winter.
	Gasteria Glomerata 4" pot $4	Gasteria Glomerata require light shade to full sun. They come from Southeastern Cape Province in south Africa. They are Distichous plants growing to less than 2inches tall. Watering moderately during the summer and keep mostly on the dry side in winter. Propagate by using offsets or seeds.
	Gasteria verucosa 4" pot $5	Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 30° F (-1°C), they can tolerate high temperatures and like other gasteria require light shade to full sun. They come from in: Southeastern Cape Province in South Africa. They are Distichous plants and grow up to 4 inches tall. Water moderately in summer and keep on the dry in winter. Propagate by Offsets or seeds
	Gasteria little warty 4" pot $4	Gasteria little warty is a cross between Gasteria batesiania and Gasteria cv. Old Man Silver which was obtained by the Australian hybridizer David Cumming. The roots are thick with little branching. The Leaves are Distichous, spiralled, firm, bright green to dark-green when in full sun with raised pale silvery-green or pale olive-green stripes and edge with lots of pearly tubercles (warts) in the upper and under sides.
Start your HAWORTHIA collection today	Haworthia collection 5 different gasterias 4" pot size $12.50 only $2.50 each	The plants selected will depend upon availability at the time your order is placed.
	Haworthia reinwardtii 4" pot $4	Haworthia reinwardi are from Southern Africa. They have differtnt forms and shapes and have patterns of raised white spots on their leaves. Their color changes to reddish in summer. They have small white flowers tha grow on stalks in Spring through to Autumn. Do not overwater especially in summer when they are dormant. Allow them to dry out between waterings.
	Haworthia cymbiformis 4" pot $4	Haworthia cymbiformis is native to Cape Province, South Africa. They forms star shaped rosettes with light green, succulent leaves. Leaves are obovate, with pointed tips and have delicate dark green veins running into the translucent "windowed" leaf tips. Haworthias grow in winter and are dormant in summer. Like succulents in general they need porous soil with good drainage.
	Haworthia truncata 4" pot $4	From Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden: Haworthia truncata var. truncata has a fleshy root system and is shallow-rooted so the plant can absorb every drop of moisture when it rains. It is a miniature leaf succulent with abruptly truncated leaves that are arranged opposite each other. This plant grows flat on the ground with the fleshy leaves just protruding above the soil surface. Click the photo to see more information.
	Haworthia fasciata 4" pot $4	Haworthia fasciata are from Southern Africa. They have white stripes and are sometimes called Haworthia zebra. Their color changes to reddish in summer. Do not overwater especially in summer when they are dormant. Allow them to dry out between waterings. In particular they should not be overwatered in Summer when they are dormant.
	Haworthia tesselata 4" pot $4	Haworthia tesselata come from Namibia. They have star-shaped rosettes of very dark green pointed leaves somewhat arranged in spirals. In bright light or sun their marking become darker. Haworthias are winter growers and summer dormant. As with other succulents they need porous soil with good drainage because many forms have thickened tap roots. They like bright light or light sun. Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch and be sure to Protect from frost.

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