Click on photographs for enlargements and plant growing information

Mesembs aka Mimicry plants

In their native environment these little "mesembs" grow in nutritionally poor soil in arid, hot regions. The bodies of those with "windows" are totally buried in the soil to shield them from the searing sun with just the tips exposed to let in the light. In cultivation, we must treat them a bit differently. Plant them with their bodies above soil. They might rot, if buried, due to higher moisture content in the air and soil. Since mimicry plants have adapted to harsh, poor conditions, little or no fertilizer is required. Plants will announce their growing season when new growth emerges from the center of the plant. The old leaves must not be removed for the sake of neatness, as the new growing leaves absorb water and nutrition from them. The plants will not need additional water during the time that they are absorbing moisture and nutrients from the old leaves. After the old leaves are dry skins, then they can be carefully removed with safety. Mimicry plants have shallow roots which can also absorb atmospheric night time moisture. Water need will be noticeable by slight softening and wrinkling of new leaves, and will depend on heat and humidity. Water during the morning so plants can dry off before evening. Water thoroughly when you do water, which causes greedy roots to immediately swell as they drink their fill. Let plants go dry between waterings; check soil with your finger at least a couple inches down inside container to make sure soil is totally dry. Mimicry plants hate cold and dampness. It's best not to water on cold, cloudy days. Best rule: When in doubt, don't water. Soil should be very porous and well draining. Mimicry plants, for the most part, like filtered sun outdoors, and good bright light indoors. Be careful not to keep plants too close to window in summer, as sun coming through the window glass may burn tender bodies. These plants do equally well planted individually or in a decorator bowl with a few stones placed for effect. Please note: Treat Faucaria ("Tiger Jaws") and Neohenricia sibbetti like regular succulents. They will want more water than the other mimicry plants.

Conophytum elisae
4" 5.00
Temporarily UNAVAILABLE

Full sun to light shade, Origin is Northern Cape Province Little Namaqualand, Water regularly in winter after old leaves have dried up, mist in summer, propagate by seeds. Elisae have pretty yellow flowers.

Dinteranthus 4"

Dinteranthus come from the Cape Province of South Africa. They are stemless forming clusters of paired whitish leaves with yellow flowers. They bloom from fall to spring. Occasional watering in summer as they grow in winter.

Faucaria tigrina

Faucaria grow in zones 9b-11 and require a minimum temperature of 50 degrees F. Their origin is South Africa (Eastern Cape Province: Albany). Faucaria form rosettes, with triangular leaves. In time the stems become woody. Water when dry and propagate by division or seeds.

Fenestraria aka baby toes
4" pot $4,

Fenestraria or "Baby Toes" are from the deserts of South Africa. Fenestraria belong to family of Aizoaceae "Baby Toes". They have finger-like leaves in upright clusters. Each "finger" has a translucent "window" at the tip, and it is through this window that the harsh African sunlgiht if filtered to enable photosynthesis. Extra pumice or perlite provides excellent drainage essential to these type of plants. Requires bright light to prevent "stretching" of the leaves. Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch. Will not tolerate water-logged soils. Somewhat frost tolerant, but protection is advisable to prevent scarring.

Frithia pulchra
$4

Frithia pulchra are endemic to South Africa. Magaliesberg from Hartbeeshoek to the Rustenburg. Habitat: Its natural habitat is the temperate grassland in the summer-rainfall region at higher altitudes. It grows in very shallow soils with coarse quartzite gravel or sand stone and often on exposed rock plates, the roots anchored in cracks between the coarse quartzite rocks. This substrate reaches very high temperatures in summer and may experience frosts during severe winters. CLICK photo for lots more information.

Gibbaum dispar

Lithops large

When growing lithops it is wise to always bear in mind the conditions of heat and drought under which they grow in the wild. It is also important to accept that they are very slow growing and can often take several years to achieve adult proportions. Nearly all problems occur as a result of overwatering and poor ventilation especially when weather conditions are dull and cool or very humid. Please Click image for more information.

Lithops small

When growing lithops it is wise to always bear in mind the conditions of heat and drought under which they grow in the wild. It is also important to accept that they are very slow growing and can often take several years to achieve adult proportions. Nearly all problems occur as a result of overwatering and poor ventilation especially when weather conditions are dull and cool or very humid. Please Click image for more information.

Oscularia deltoides
4" pot $4

The genus Oscularia is part of the family Aizoaceae, which includes the various forms of plants known as "Ice Plants" and those known as "Mimicry Plants". Oscularia deltoides forms rambling shrub-like bushes with pale silvery blue chunky leaves. Leaves have curious "dentate" margins, and sometimes blush pinkish. Lovely lilac flowers. Good for rock gardens or as ground covers. Porous soil with adequate drainage. Bright light to full sun. Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch. Protect from frost.

Pleiospilos bolusii
3" pot $4

Pleiospilos bolusii is a bi-lobe known as "Split Rock". Native to South Africa. Extremely succulent pair of grayish-green leaves form a clefted "egg-shape" known as a bi-lobe. Pleiospilos bolusii differs from P. nelii in that the leaves of bolusii are slightly more elongated and pointed. Leaves are dotted with a myriad of tiny dots which are actually stomates. Can grow quite large to 4" in diameter. Silky golden flowers with white centers. click photo for more information.

Pleiospilos nelii $5

Pleiospilos nelii is the bi-lobe known as "Split Rock". Native to Africa. Extremely succulent pair of grayish-green leaves form a clefted "egg-shape" known as a bi-lobe. Leaves are dotted with a myriad of tiny dots which are actually stomates. Can grow quite large to 4" in diameter. Silky golden-apricot flowers with white centers. The genus Pleiospilos is part of the family Aizoaceae, which includes the various forms of plants known as "Ice Plants" and those known as "Mimicry Plants". Porous soil with excellent drainage. It is preferable that the soil does not contain much organic material, such as peat moss and that the plant is not fertilized with heavy nitrogen as this can cause an explosion of soft, flabby growth that can make the plant prone to bacterial rots. click photo for more information.

Welcome to our site ~
Visit our Dormancy table to see which plants are growing now!

We will be closed from January 13th - January 26th 2012.
Orders placed by January 12th at noon (pacific time) will be shipped by January 17th.
Please add your phone number to remarks, so I can contact you if there are any questions.

please click the following link for

Click on photographs for enlargements and plant growing information

Mesembs aka Mimicry plants

Full sun to light shade, Origin is Northern Cape Province Little Namaqualand, Water regularly in winter after old leaves have dried up, mist in summer, propagate by seeds. Elisae have pretty yellow flowers.

Dinteranthus come from the Cape Province of South Africa. They are stemless forming clusters of paired whitish leaves with yellow flowers. They bloom from fall to spring. Occasional watering in summer as they grow in winter.

Faucaria grow in zones 9b-11 and require a minimum temperature of 50 degrees F. Their origin is South Africa (Eastern Cape Province: Albany). Faucaria form rosettes, with triangular leaves. In time the stems become woody. Water when dry and propagate by division or seeds.

Welcome to our site ~ Visit our Dormancy table to see which plants are growing now!

We will be closed from January 13th - January 26th 2012. Orders placed by January 12th at noon (pacific time) will be shipped by January 17th. Please add your phone number to remarks, so I can contact you if there are any questions.

please click the following link for

Click on photographs for enlargements and plant growing information

Mesembs aka Mimicry plants

Full sun to light shade, Origin is Northern Cape Province Little Namaqualand, Water regularly in winter after old leaves have dried up, mist in summer, propagate by seeds. Elisae have pretty yellow flowers.

Dinteranthus come from the Cape Province of South Africa. They are stemless forming clusters of paired whitish leaves with yellow flowers. They bloom from fall to spring. Occasional watering in summer as they grow in winter.

Faucaria grow in zones 9b-11 and require a minimum temperature of 50 degrees F. Their origin is South Africa (Eastern Cape Province: Albany). Faucaria form rosettes, with triangular leaves. In time the stems become woody. Water when dry and propagate by division or seeds.

Welcome to our site ~
Visit our Dormancy table to see which plants are growing now!

We will be closed from January 13th - January 26th 2012.
Orders placed by January 12th at noon (pacific time) will be shipped by January 17th.
Please add your phone number to remarks, so I can contact you if there are any questions.