Lapidaria margaretae (Schwantes) Dinter & Schwantes
Mesembryanthemum margaretae, Argyroderma margaretae, Argyroderma roseatum, Dinteranthus margaretae
Lapidaria margaretae resembles those genera (Lithops, Dinteranthus and Schwantesia) within the Aizoaceae family to which it is most closely related. However, while Lithops and Dinteranthus will typically only have one pair of leaves, Lapidaria margaretae has two to four pairs of leaves. Each leaf is up to 0.8 inch (2 cm) long and up to 0.4 inch (1 cm) wide. Clumps of up to three rosettes may be formed with age. It flowers with a single up to 2 inches (5 cm) wide yellow flower that can eclipse the plant. It opens during the day. The flowering might be solitary, or succeeded by up to two others.
How to Grow and Care
The basics of Mesemb care are very simple, with free-draining soil, plenty of sun and ventilation, and regular light watering in the right season. Yet the difficulties are endless, trying to adapt to the mesembs’ own adaptability and to follow their growth habits in your particular conditions. Mesembs require a loam-based compost with the addition of extra drainage material such as horticultural grit or perlite. They all like good light conditions and plenty of ventilation. Some are relatively cold-hardy and can even survive mild winters outside. Most will survive temperatures down to freezing point.
There are some Mesembs which begin to grow in the autumn as the temperature drops and the days get shorter. Because different genera within the Mesemb family have different growing conditions, care mast be taken with watering. Some genera will benefit from a light spray water to prevent shrivelling during their dormant period… – See more at: How to Grow and Care for Mesembs.
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