Image from Wikimedia / Manuel Ramos
La rhopalophylla fenestraria It is a very small succulent plant, so much so that its cultivation in a pot is not recommended, it is almost mandatory. In its natural habitat it does not have too many problems because the enemies it has when we take care of it, the snails, are not present.
But this is more a joy than a sadness: it is rather small, it is curious, it produces flowers, ... It is perfect to take care of it, pamper it and enjoy it every day.
rhopalophylla fenestraria is the scientific name of a species native to Nambia and Namaqualand in South Africa that was described by Nicholas Edward Brown and published in The Gardeners' Chronicle & Agricultural Gazette in 1927. It is often called a window plant or simply Fenestraria.
Is characterized be made up of greenish, tubular stems, around 1cm thick by 5-7cm tall. In each of these stems, which are actually leaves, there is a transparent area through which the sun's rays penetrate. Their flowers, which can be yellow or white, bloom in late spring.
Two subspecies are known:
- Fenestraria rhopalohylla subsp rhopalophylla
- Fenestraria rhopalohylla subsp aurantiaca (aurantiaca fenestraria)
Image from Wikimedia / Levy Clancy
If we talk about cultivation and maintenance, we find a little plant that we will have to place in full sun and water very little: no more than twice a week in summer and every 15 or 20 days the rest of the year. As a substrate I recommend using 100% pumice, or universal growing substrate mixed with perlite in equal parts in order to avoid root rot.
Likewise, it must be fertilized in spring and summer, and protected from frost and also from snails since they can destroy it in a matter of a few hours. To keep these mollusks away, here are many tips.