Gasteria acinacifolia 'Algae' | Coastal Gasteria
ā¬7,95
š±Ā Morphology
Ā A horticultural clone of Gasteria acinacifolia, one of the largest Gasterias, characterized by its long scimitar-shaped leaves. āAlgaeā stands out for its especially green and fresh appearance, maintaining the species' green hue and its characteristic light spotting, rather than developing the darker or reddish colorations that can appear with intense radiation.
It forms a large, erect, or partially decumbent rosette with age, which can reach approximately 75 cm in height and 65 cm in diameter. Adult leaves are linear-lanceolate, falcate, thick, and fleshy, up to 60 cm long and 4.5ā10 cm wide at the base. They are smooth, green, with abundant white spots grouped transversely. The margins are firm and cartilaginous, finely serrated, and end in a sharp tip. Juvenile leaves are different: shorter, narrower, rough, and distichously arranged before acquiring the adult morphology.
No reliable documentation has been located that allows āAlgaeā to be attributed to a specific hybridizer, breeder, or year of selection. It is, therefore, considered a horticultural form or clone, not a hybrid of known genealogy.
š Distribution, habitat, and family
As a clone of Gasteria acinacifolia, it comes from a strictly coastal species of South Africa, distributed from Buffels Bay and Knysna, in Western Cape, to East London, in Eastern Cape. It lives on dunes and coastal rocky ridges, usually among dense scrub, although it can also be found exposed to the sun. The climate is mild and receives approximately 600ā1,000 mm of annual rainfall, in both winter and summer.
Family Asphodelaceae, tribe Alooideae, section Longiflorae, series Longifoliae.
āļø Temperature ā USDA 10a
It tolerates minimum temperatures of down to ā1 ĀŗC in cultivation. Its natural habitat is a mild coastal climate and frosts are exceptional.
āļø Lighting
Shadeāpartial shade, although this species is especially adaptable and can also grow in full sun if acclimated progressively. To preserve the green character of āAlgaeā, abundant but filtered lighting is recommended, avoiding intense midday sun. Target guideline: 10ā20 mol/mĀ²/day of DLI PAR.
š§ Growth cycle and watering
Opportunistic. Its natural area receives both winter and summer rains and it does not have a rigid summer dormancy. It is recommended to water thoroughly when the substrate is completely dry, adjusting the frequency to the temperature, lighting, and plant activity.
šø Flowering
The inflorescence can reach approximately 1 m, starting as a simple raceme and subsequently developing an extended, almost flat structure in adult specimens. The flowers are large for the genus, 35ā50 mm, tubular and rich in nectar, with pink, reddish, greenish, and cream tones. Flowering occurs mainly betweenĀ spring and early summer, and is pollinated by nectarivorous birds.
šæ Nutrition
During the active growth period, Desert CHOICEĀ® Aloes, Haworthias & Co. is recommended, with a high content of potassium and bioavailable calcium. It is applied with watering, reducing or suspending fertilization during periods of lower activity.
9x9 cm gourmet black pot
13x13
This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a technological square pot and with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.
- Hassle-free returns
- Free Shipping on orders over ā¬79.99
Expert advice with every purchase
Our team provides you with personalized advice on caring for your plants and growing media.
-
Secure and protected payment guaranteed.
