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Tylecodon bucholtzionus  (Stephan
& Schuldt) Toelken.
Previously named Cotyledon bucholziana.
Location: Namibia, S. Africa Cape Province.
This bonsai- like small shrub is a delightful plant which can grow,
during our Winter, with or without the benefit of leaves.
I have not seen any flowers as yet but they should be solitary and either
red or pink appearing in our late Spring.
The plant has a swollen rootstock (caudex) which qualifies it to be
a caudiciform. In our Summer it is completely dormant and should be
given a rest.
Other variations of name spellings are buchbolziana, buchholzianus to
quote a few.
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CULTIVATION: is fairly easy using a well drained, C & S compost
and exposed to bright light. In the growing season water when the roots
are almost dry, no
water in the Summer. Winter minimum temperature is 5ºC but better at
8ºC.
The leaves easily drop off in cool conditions. Re pot
every 2/3 years using the above compost with added slow release fertiliser.
PROPAGATION: from cuttings in late Autumn, the fallen leaves sometimes
produce adventitious roots but none have produced a growing bud as yet.
CAUTION: Tylecodon caudex's contain the
poison 'cotyledontoxin' that can kill, if eaten by animals.
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