Orbea variegata Seeds - Indigenous South African Stapeliad Succulents - NEW

Stapeliads are one of the most interesting groups of succulents. The diversity in shape, colour, size and smell make them an enticing group to collect and grow. The genus Orbea, which is placed in the Apocynaceae family, has beautiful flowers and is one of the easier groups to grow successfully. Even sterile plants with their purple-blotchy stems against various shades of green backgrounds are very attractive. In a rockery, mats of the plants among exposed rocks give a good backdrop for other accent plants such as euphorbias and larger aloes.

Apparently not used medicinally, Orbea is mainly of horticultural value and, like most stapeliads, the plants are greatly sought after by succulent collectors and are grown and exchanged world-wide.

Orbea variegata is probably the most well-known of all the species, having been in cultivation the longest. As it was one of the first South African indigenous stapeliads to be cultivated in Europe, many hybrids have been grown, most of them described as distinct species at some stage. Many of these hybrids are still in cultivation world-wide. The species grows under a variety of conditions. It originally comes from the winter rainfall area of the Western Cape mainly along the coastal belt. It grows actively during winter and spring. Growers should let the soil dry out between watering and should feed the plants during the active growing season. Soil has to be well drained and rich in organic matter.