| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
7.
How should I cultivate Adromischus?
As
succulents go, Adromischus cultivation is quite easy. Most are tolerant
plants. Sections 1, 3, 4 & 5 (A.
subviridis) are generally larger growing and more lusty than
sections 2, 3 (A. nanus) & 5 which grow in
more arid places. The advice here assumes that the reader is familiar
with cultivation of cacti and succulent plants in general, so that it
can concentrate on the special needs of Adro's.
The larger species typically grow under bushes. They are quite greedy
feeders and need repotting regularly (2-3 years). Their fine roots do
well in a combination of a loam-based potting mix (UK growers: mix grit
with John Innes Potting Compost No. 3) and plastic pots, but they can
also be grown well in any free-draining mix. Do not be afraid to prune
them - this will encourage more shoots from the rootstock.
The
smaller species need more caution (neglect?) - if in doubt, do not
water or repot. They appear happy even when pot-bound and perhaps this
reflects their natural habitat - typically between rocks.
It is usually recommended to maintain succulents above freezing
temperatures. However, I have no experience of Adromischus survival
below this. I would expect A. trigynus and A.
umbraticola from the interior of Southern Africa to experience
frosts nightly in winter, but never during daytimes.
Most of my Adromischus
collection in the mid-1990's. Each plant has its own square plastic pot
for individual attention, standing in larger seed trays. The bubble
polythene provided insulation in winter and shading in summer.
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