Cyphostemma juttae, and Fockea edulis... container growing

12 years ago

Recently purchased these two plants, and would like specific cultural recommendations for growing in containers. Most sites only vaguely suggest cultural requirements, and as far as I can tell, I could grow these two plants like a common "Jade-plant" (Crassula). There's got to be more to growing these specialized plants.

I need:

Light requirements in winter....full-sun, temps. full-dormancy/quiescent period, soil mixes, fertilizer regimen, etc. General culture for container growing

Also, should the caudex of the Fockea be fully buried, in a deep pot, in order for it to grow to maximum size? The caudex on these Fockea plants are supposed to be shaded, and the vines can be grown in full sun, so I figured that I'd bury the caudex in a deep pot, using a quick-draining, gritty, soiless mix, and fertilizing with "Foliage-Pro 9-6-3"

The Cypho. will be potted in the same quick-draining mix and be grown on my back deck, under the full, broiling, summer sun, then onto a sunny, south-facing window for the winter months, Temps. will always be in the mid 60s in the cooler months.

Am I far off the cultural mark? Please give me your growing suggestions. I'd like to keep these plants alive. They cost big bucks and I'd hate to kill them! :)

Thanks,

Frank

Featured Answer

tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)

12 years ago

I grow the Fockea e., and find it very vigorous & not at all difficult to grow. This picture is several years old, and I've repotted into larger pots several times since the picture was taken. I've never seen a succulent that didn't do exceedingly well in the gritty mix with 9-3-6 providing the nutrients - they love the combination.

Right now, it's in my basement on the outside edge of my growing area, so it doesn't get much light; still, it grows like made & vines in and around my lights if I don't cut it back regularly. I still have the caudex buried, and grow the plant in all-day sun in the summer. I'll prune all the lanky growth off, along with any wayward growing branches that spoil the plant's outline, in June.

I grow a number of succulents and treat them all the same unless they don't happen to tolerate full sun well; in which case I'll adjust their exposure appropriately.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

bronxfigs: New York City/7b
Original Author
12 years ago
Mr. Tapla:
You came through with great growing tips once again!

I'm waiting for this Fockea plant, and also a Cyphostemma juttae to be delivered within the next weeks, and would at least like to have these plants live, and eventually do something, like grow! Thanks to you, and your mix, I'm sure this will happen. : )

I had no idea that the Fockea would grow so fast. I want to grow as large a caudex as possible, so I plan on growing it in a large tub, in your mix, buried, with only the vines above the soil line. I'll let them grow rampant, so they could send plenty of food to the caudex, then I'll trim them back to control the growth as you suggested.

Do you think that the main stem that supports the vine-like growth will ever fatten up on these plants or will they always remain, somewhat skinny?

Your suggestions sure have helped me and others.

Frank/BronxFigs
Related Discussions
Fockea edulis ...container culture.
Q
Comments (12)
Thanks, one and all for the great information on growing this plant successfully. Here's what I can glean from the postings: It's a fairly easy plant to grow, given the right mix, fertilizers, light requirements, etc.... and, grow it deeply potted, and let the vines grow rampant, - to put on bulk and branching structure. Grow it this way until the caudex becomes the size wanted, then switch to bonsai-culture to keep the plant at the size you want. Not too difficult. Now, another question: Most of the Fockea plants that are sold, have had the caudex grown, then raised by the original growers. Can I re-bury the caudex again to let it bulk up, or is this the final size that the caudex will get? Again, thanks for the growing instructions. I'll give this plant a try. johnsonm08: Nice looking plant. Replace the soda with a beer, and now you got something! Frank
...See More
Fockea edulis
Q
Comments (8)
They can be slow depending on the culture. If kept in small containers with root restriction it considerably slows their growth, if bedded out or over potted the grow much is faster. My goal with this plant was to produce a habitat looking specimen, not the snaking growth habit of most plants in collections. By pruning the roots ever couple of years the plant gets fatter instead of longer. Originally purchased in 2000 in a 2" pot, the following year I bumped to a 6" pot and '05 into a 5gal, then 2007 to its current 15gal container (18" wide x 15" deep). This was the first time the roots had grown out of the drain holes and into the soil. I leave it potted so I can easily prune the roots (trying to keep from gaining too much height), would be more difficult bedded out.
...See More
Cyphostemma juttae...Flagging Leaves...
Q
Comments (7)
Some thoughts after one season.... Last year I spent a small fortune and ordered two, specimen-sized Cyphostemma juttae. Both arrived dormant, and had no root system to speak of. They were both potted into containers that held about 2 gallons of a quick draining mix. So far...no problems. They eventually sprouted leaves, and then they were placed out on a deck, getting full sun, where they grew all Summer. I watered, I fed, they grew. Very easy...no rotting...no diseases. They even set seeds. Now they are going dormant. They are inside, growing on a wire, plant-rack that is in my kitchen, next to glass doors that get full sun. Temps. here are in the mid-60s F. Now my thoughts.... These plants make HUGE leaves that have a lot of surface area. Plants must be kept hydrated or leaves will flag, and plants will be stressed. Quick-draining mix can dry out too quickly in the full-sun heat. I will change medium to contain more organic material and more Turface-MVP for longer moisture retention. I also will replant the Cyphos. in much larger containers. The huge leaves also act as sails and a good wind will topple the plants very easily. I know...I learned the hard way! These plants need to be securely anchored, or they will blow over. I may even plant them in a training bed for the extra root-run, and cooler root temps. Containers get hot and cook the roots. Not good for the plants. These plants are very easy, and are very dynamic. They go from full dormancy, to full steam ahead within weeks...so, they are not boring. Good plants for kids. Once you get the correct culture nailed down, the plants just do their thing. I'm glad I purchased these plants. I wish I knew about these plants long ago. Frank
...See More
Cyphostemma rot
Q
Comments (3)
Not sure why it rotted, it was in a container and among 30 other potted Cyphostemmas. I've had this happen before, spontaneously rotting. What was weird about this one is the rot appeared to start on the body, not the roots. Should have taken a photo before cleaning. This juttae was already starting to heal itself and in the process of aborting the damaged tissue. I just accelerated it by removing the rotted area. You could see where healthy and dead tissue met, I just put the edge of the spoon in the crack and pried it off.
...See More
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
12 years ago
It will put a lot of growth on in a hurry if you just let it go. Mine has developed a lot slower than it might have because I've cut it back so many times to keep it tidy, and as you know, that has a major impact on how fast the caudex develops. Be patient about exposing the caudex because it develops faster when it's covered by soil. You CAN give the stem the ILLUSION that it has thickened up by letting the top grow wild then cutting it back hard to shorten the stem. Decreasing the ratio of ht to width is how bonsai artists instill the look of great age and proportion into their plants, but I have a feeling that sense of proportion is going to fall by the way when you start exposing that fat caudex. ;-)

I've had my plant for about 7 years. I bought one on Ebay and they sent 2. I grew both for 3-4 years & decided I don't need 2, so I gave one away to a friend who enjoys succulents but couldn't find the time to keep her bonsai on track. I talked to her last a little before Christmas & she said her plant is doing well & she just moves it indoors in front of a west window when the weather turns in fall.

If I didn't have bonsai to keep me continually challenged, I'm sure I'd have an extensive collection of succulents, just because there are so many that are unique ..... and unique is where it's at.

Have fun!

Al
bronxfigs: New York City/7b
Original Author
12 years ago
Al....
Loved the background information. I can't wait to see the plant growing this season. I also have seeds for Cyphostemma juttae, and Fockea edulis coming in the mail.

I just recently looked at some posted photos of Boophane bulbs, which have a beautiful fan of thick, leathery leaves, growing out of the top of a very large bulb....like an Hippaeastum on steroids!

Take care, and thanks for sharing so much of your knowledge with so many grateful growers.

Respectfully,
Frank
halocline
6 years ago
Al,

I just found this thread by chance; just like when I stumbled across your "CS-WM&R" thread for the first time. lol

Anyway, no one here got around to discussing Cyphostemma juttae dormancy. I believe mine has went dormant, and was wondering if it should be treated like an Adenium during this period?

(Summer 7-21-17)

(Today)

BTW, as you can see, mine is spelled "jutiae". It could be misspelled, or it may be a hybrid.

Rob
laticauda
6 years ago
Rob, I'm hoping you get a reply on this one!

Cyphostemma juttae, and Fockea edulis... container growing

tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)

Comments (6)

bronxfigs: New York City/7b
Original Author

Related Discussions

tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)

bronxfigs: New York City/7b
Original Author

halocline

laticauda

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Cyphostemma juttae, and Fockea edulis... container growing

tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)

Comments (6)

bronxfigs: New York City/7bOriginal Author

Related Discussions

tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)

bronxfigs: New York City/7bOriginal Author

halocline

laticauda

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

bronxfigs: New York City/7b
Original Author

bronxfigs: New York City/7b
Original Author