€10,60

🌱 Morphology
  Monstrose form of a Gasteria traditionally known as Gasteria pseudonigricans, currently included in Gasteria brachyphylla var. brachyphylla. The monstrose form exhibits anomalous and compact growth, with short, narrow, and often irregularly arranged fleshy leaves, which can intertwine and form a structure much more intricate than the typical plant. The color is dark green, and it can acquire bronzed tones under intense light. As in the species, the leaves are smooth, thick, and dotted with small whitish spots that may cluster into transverse bands. It propagates vegetatively via offsets and, as it is a monstrose form, it must be maintained through cloning to preserve its characteristics. The form appears in specialized collections as Gasteria pseudonigricans f. monstrosa, but no reliable documentation has been located regarding its origin or breeder.

🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
The form comes from the taxonomic line of Gasteria brachyphylla, widely distributed throughout the Klein Karoo, in the South African province of the Western Cape, from Barrydale eastward to the vicinity of Uniondale and northward to the Willowmore district. It appears from low areas up to approximately 1,000 m, growing protected by shrubs, especially in thorny scrublands, on sandstones and shales, as well as quartzitic substrates. It belongs to the Asphodelaceae family, Alooideae tribe, Gasteria section, Gasteria series, genus Gasteria. The name G. pseudonigricans is a historical synonym of G. brachyphylla var. brachyphylla.

❄️ Temperature — USDA 10
It tolerates minimum temperatures down to −1 ºC. Although G. brachyphylla comes from areas where light frosts can occur, it is recommended to keep the monstrose form protected from prolonged frosts and, above all, from cold combined with humidity. Cultivation references place the minimum temperature around 6 ºC, so the indicated value should be understood as a point tolerance, not as an optimal temperature.

☀️ Lighting
It prefers bright shade–partial shade. The species can tolerate more light if acclimated progressively, but the monstrose form better retains its compact growth under filtered light. Approximately 10–20 mol/m²/day of DLI PAR is recommended.

💧 Growth cycle and watering
Opportunistic. Gasteria brachyphylla can be kept with watering throughout the year, adapting the frequency to the temperature and allowing the substrate to dry between waterings. In its natural habitat, it withstands a dry season thanks to its succulent leaves and roots. It is recommended to reduce watering when temperatures drop, without establishing a rigid summer dormancy.

🌸 Flowering
The species develops racemes of 20–90 cm, occasionally up to 111 cm, with tubular flowers of approximately 12–22 mm. The basal part is swollen and pink, while the tube is white with green striations. Flowering can occur from July to February, although the peak is concentrated around September in the Southern Hemisphere. The flowers protrude from the shrub and are pollinated mainly by nectarivorous birds. Cultivated plants can reach flowering size at approximately 4 years.

🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, Desert CHOICE® 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.

10x10 cm gourmet black pot

This is an inimitable xerophyte cultivated in Madrid in a high-tech square pot, with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.

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