€10,60

Tulista minima (Aiton) Gideon F.Sm. & Molteno 

🌱 Morphology
 A small botanical jewel that looks as if it were carved from green porcelain and then sprinkled with tiny white pearls. Its low, compact rosette gathers fleshy, triangular, and gently curved leaves of a bluish-green that contrasts with the rows of white tubercles running across their surfaces. Upon close inspection, each tubercle appears like a drop of light trapped on the leaf.

It is an acaulescent succulent, slow-growing and generally solitary, although it can produce offsets and form small clusters. The rosettes reach about 15 cm in height. The leaves are lanceolate-deltoid, narrowing towards the apex, up to about 13 × 1.5 cm, relatively thick, with a rough surface covered by elevated, non-fused white tubercles. The inflorescence, sparse and lax, can reach about 30–40 cm.

🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
It is endemic to the Western Cape, South Africa, from the area around Bredasdorp towards Hartenbos, with populations in the southern strip of the Cape, including areas near Swellendam, Heidelberg, Riversdale, and Mossel Bay. It lives mainly in coastal renosterveld and fynbos, on stony hills, among low grasses, and under the light protection of Renosterbos shrubs. It prefers firm, well-drained sandy soils. It belongs to the Asphodelaceae family.

Its habitat receives approximately 375–500 mm of rain per year, distributed throughout all seasons. Therefore, there is no absolute summer drought as in other South African succulents. However, summer is the warmest season and growth slows down, while spring and autumn are especially favorable periods for vegetative activity. The genus Tulista is found in the winter rainfall sector of southwestern South Africa.

❄️ Temperature — USDA 10a
It tolerates minimum temperatures of down to −1 ºC. In its habitat, light frosts occur occasionally, but in pot cultivation, it is advisable to keep it protected from prolonged frosts and, above all, to avoid combining cold and humidity.

☀️ Lighting
Partial shade. It requires high light intensity to maintain a compact rosette and good blue-green coloration, although in its habitat it usually grows partially protected by low vegetation. A DLI PAR of 12–20 mol/m²/day is recommended during periods of active growth. Gentle morning sun and high ambient light especially favor the expression of the white tubercles.

💧 Growth cycle and watering
Relative summer dormancy. Unlike Tulista pumila, this species comes from an area where rainfall occurs throughout the year. Its growth can be maintained during spring and autumn, with activity also in winter if temperatures are moderate. During these periods, water deeply once the substrate has dried out.

During summer, rising temperatures cause a reduction in vegetative activity. Watering should be spaced out, avoiding both extreme dehydration and persistent moisture. The goal is to replicate its habitat: periods of water availability interspersed with dry phases, not an absolute summer drought.

🌸 Flowering
It blooms mainly during late spring and summer. The floral stalk, relatively robust, protrudes clearly from the rosette and bears small tubular flowers in whitish tones with pinkish hues at the tips.

🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, Desert CHOICE® Aloes, Haworthias & Co. is recommended, with a high content of potassium and bioavailable calcium. Apply with irrigation, reducing or suspending fertilization during the summer dormancy period.

9x9 cm gourmet black pot

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

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