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Tylecodon schaeferianus  (Dinter)
Toelken. Previously named Cotyledon schaeferana.
Location: Namibia, S. Africa Cape Province.
Another bonsai- like miniature shrub also a delightful plant which grows
during our Winter, with leaves that start off bright green then change
to a red speckled bronze just before falling off.
Usually the flowers are pink this one is a rarer white form which appear
in early summer.
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 schaeferiana, schaeferanus 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
9ºC.
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 have not
produced roots or growing buds as yet. I have put a few leaves in the
propagator as an experiment.
CAUTION: Tylecodon caudex's contain the
poison 'cotyledontoxin' that can kill, if eaten by animals.
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