Conophytum pageae
| Light | Bright light with some shade from harsh summer sun; a winter grower |
|---|---|
| Water | Water in autumn and winter growth; keep dry through summer dormancy |
| Soil | Very free-draining mineral mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Frost-free; cool, dry winters suit it best |
| Propagation | Seed and division of clumps |
| Toxicity | Not known to be toxic to cats or dogs |
Conophytum pageae is a small, clump-forming mesemb from South Africa and one of the most widely grown "conos" in the hobby. Each plant body is a smooth, fused pair of leaves shaped like a rounded bilobe, and the species is instantly recognisable by the kidney-shaped red "lips" that frame the fissure at the top of each body. It belongs to the large southern African genus Conophytum, part of the ice-plant family Aizoaceae.
Description
Conophytum pageae forms a low mat or cushion of many small heads over time. Each head is a single, obconic body a couple of centimetres across, made of two leaves fused almost completely together so that only a narrow slit — the fissure — remains at the top. The body surface is smooth and can range from bluish-grey-green to reddish in strong light, but the defining feature is the pair of reddish, kidney- or lip-shaped markings that outline the fissure, giving the whole plant the look of a tiny pursed mouth.
Flowers appear from the fissure in autumn, typically nocturnal and pale, opening in the evening. As with most Conophytum, each body lasts a season: the old skin dries to a papery sheath while a fresh body forms inside, so the plant renews itself through its annual cycle.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to the winter-rainfall regions of South Africa and neighbouring Namibia, growing in the arid Succulent Karoo. Plants are typically found nestled among quartz gravel and rocky crevices, often tucked into positions that give a little shade and shelter from the fiercest sun. In habitat they endure long, hot, dry summers and receive most of their moisture in the cooler months. Like many conos, it has been heavily targeted by illegal collectors, and this pressure led to its listing as Vulnerable on the Red List of South African Plants — so cultivated, nursery-propagated stock should always be preferred over wild-collected material.
Cultivation
Conophytum pageae is a rewarding beginner's cono, but it must be grown on a winter-growing rhythm rather than treated like a summer cactus. Grow it in a very free-draining, mostly mineral mix in a shallow pot, in bright light with a little protection from intense afternoon sun. The key to success is water timing: begin watering as the plant breaks dormancy in late summer or autumn, water through the cool growing season when the mix has dried, and then keep it completely dry through its summer rest.
The most common mistake is watering during summer dormancy, which causes rot. During the rest period the old bodies naturally shrivel to papery sheaths — this is normal and should not be "corrected" with water. See Watering and Repotting for general technique.
Propagation
Established clumps can be divided, ideally at the start of the growing season, so that each division carries some roots; let cut surfaces dry before replanting. The species also grows readily from seed sown onto a fine mineral surface and kept lightly humid in the cool season. See Propagation - seed, Propagation - offsets and Propagation - cuttings for fuller walkthroughs.
Common problems
- Rot — almost always from watering during summer dormancy or from a slow-draining mix; bodies go soft and translucent.
- Failure to renew — kept too wet or too shaded, plants may stall instead of pushing a clean new body each year.
- Etiolation — too little light makes bodies bloat and lose their compact form and colour.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff around the base and roots) and the occasional sciarid fungus gnat in overly moist mixes.
See also
- Conophytum — the genus overview
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Propagation - seed · Repotting · Pests and diseases