Muiria hortenseae

[Rogan]

I find Muiria hortenseae surprisingly easy to grow; all it needs is plenty of sun throughout the year and enough water during the growing season (winter).

My 'seedlings' are now five years old and have been flowering regularly for the past year or two.

The next one has a broad 'smile'; perhaps mixing genes with Gibbaeum album?

[Maggi Young]

They look a bit like grey Kiwi fruits! Or ghostly "Moomins" 

I am reminded of your pix of flowers and fruits from the BCSS Cactus site  earlier in the year :
http://www.bcss.org.uk/foruma/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=157100&start=10#p205331

[ashley]

... all it needs is plenty of sun throughout the year ...

Just soooo easy

Great looking plants Rogan

[krisderaeymaeker]

I find Muiria hortenseae surprisingly easy to grow; all it needs is plenty of sun throughout the year and enough water during the growing season (winter).
My 'seedlings' are now five years old and have been flowering regularly for the past year or two.
The next one has a broad 'smile'; perhaps mixing genes with Gibbaeum album?

Stunning plants Rogan ! Congratulations !
I have a smal plant but it don't look so good as yours .....Here they are difficult to grow but when I read your comments then I suppose that we kept them to dry .....Maybe I treat them to much like Lithops ?
Must admit that they are stil very scarce here and it is not easy to obtain some plants. So there is not much space to try out some things

[Rogan]

"Or ghostly "Moomins""

"Moomins" = Shmoos?   

"Stunning plants Rogan ! Congratulations !"

Thank you for your kind comments. Shmoos are delightfully furry little plants and are one of many interesting succulents to grow in your collection.

"Maybe I treat them to much like Lithops"

Kris, I would say that is definitely your problem; they like a lot more water and seem to be quite immune to popping or growing lanky like Lithops do if overwatered. I also give my plants the occasional shallow 'drink' when they are dormant. I think a lot of sunshine and regular feeding is the answer as well, mine didn't do very well in the greenhouse - now they live outdoors the year round and are doing great - not so easy if you live in Europe I suppose!

Below is a picture taken in the midst of Barrydale, a little Little Karoo town in the Little Karoo (). In the distance you can see the Langeberg mountains with cloud billowing over from the coastal plain on the other side - Muiria grows at the foot of these mountains not too far from Barrydale and benefits from drizzle that may fall from these clouds, so they really grow in quite a well-watered area. This region produces some of the best fruit in SA and fabulous wine... hic!

[WimB]

They look a bit like grey Kiwi fruits! Or ghostly "Moomins" 

What's a Moomin? Is it a small, green, lightly hairy bum??? 

Lovely plants, Rogan

Kris, it's a shame they're so difficult over here, else I might be tempted to try it!

[Maggi Young]

"Or ghostly "Moomins""

"Moomins" = Shmoos?   

What's a Moomin? Is it a small, green, lightly hairy bum??? 

Moomins are cute characters from books by Tove Jansson

[Rogan]

Closely associated and slightly worse for wear: Muiria hortenseae and Gibbaeum album in habitat - notice the ruddy seedling, far left (above centre).

I always make a point of visiting the colony when I'm passing by, this time I got rained off!