Stapelia Hirsuta * Starfish Flower * Amazing Rare Succulent * 3 Seeds *

3 SEEDS Stapelia hirsuta (a.k.a. African starfish flowers is best known for its foul-smelling flowers. It blooms a large star and it is 5 to 15 cm wide. Dark-red, flat and densely covered by long hair at the centre that remember the fur of a dead animal. At the base of young stems. Peduncle round. Corolla width very variable, from 5-15 cm (usually 10/12 cm) across and very deeply lobed. The moderate carrion smell of the flowers attracts flies which may lay eggs on the flower. Sometimes fly larvae that have hatched from the eggs can be seen on the flower. Cultivation and Propagation: Together with Stapelia gigantea and Orbea variegata, probably the most widely cultivated of stapeliads. It is an easy obliging blooming plant when mature, they are happy in any average succulent house. Stapelia require moderately watering through the growing season but enjoy plenty of water and some fertiliser in hot weather, this helps them to flower freely. Water more sparingly in winter according to temperatures. But, as with most asclepiads, it is unwise to leave them wet in cold weather. Winter care presents no problems at 5°C with plenty of light. Since roots are quite shallow, use a cactus mix or add extra perlite or pumice to regular soil potting soil. A gritty, very free-draining compost is suitable, and clay pots help the plants to dry out between watering. Sun Exposure: Partial sun or light shade USDA HARDINESS ZONES ; 10B - 11B