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Conophytum Bilobum Care and Propagation

This is a common and easy-to-grow Conophytum, which produces beautiful yellow flowers usually. Continue reading to know all about Conophytum bilobum

It is the easiest of all the Conophytum, to get good growth, without problems.

It is a multiform plant, with many morphological and even geographical variants that make them an independent plant or species.

Origin And Habitat of Conophytum Bilobum

The origin and habitat of the Conophytum bilobum, is in the western part of South Africa, Northern Cape areas, near the Orange River and Little Namaqualand.

Its specific habitat is to grow in well-drained soil, with some water in winter and also some sun. Conophytum bilobum generally lives at altitudes around 1968 to 2624 ft (600 to 800 meters).

Characteristics Conophytum bilobum

Conophytum bilobum is a robust, ground-covering, caespitose plant with stemless or short stems over time.

They have bodies with even leaves. These succulents are about 1.2” (3 cm) thick and about 2.7” (7 cm) tall.

The tips of the leaves, and lobes, are free and are 0.4” (10 mm) long and triangular and boat keel-like.

The colors of the margins are green to red or deep purple. The epidermis is glabrous (without hairs or glands) to velvety or rather rough.

It is whitish-green to glaucous or deep blue-green or brownish-pink.

The epidermis may be heavily blotched or completely smooth.

characteristic conophytum bilobum
Conophytum Bilobum succulent.

Conophytum bilobum Flowers

The flowers are unscented and up to 1.2” (3 cm) in size, in the largest case of its genus.

The flowering season is in autumn, rarely in summer, and is diurnal.

Plants of the genus Conophytum are also known as “living pebbles” or “living stones”.

During the resting period, which is the summer months in Europe, a new body is formed inside the old one, gradually taking all the substances from it, until all that remains is the skin, which dries and protects the young plant from the heat of the sun and excessive evaporation of water.

Conophytum bilobum, protected by this dry canopy, resembles a stone, hence the name “living stone”.

The growing period of most species of Conophytum is from August to March.

The temperature should be about 50 to 54 °F (10 to 12 °C).

Conophytum bilobum, is more wintering, as it is most active from late winter to late spring and heads into summer dormancy.

All forms of Conophytum bilobum are easy to grow.

conophytum bilobum flowers
Conophytum bilobum Flowers.

Conophytum Bilobum Care

We will now explain how to properly care for your Conophytum Bilobum. Follow all the tips to know which is the best substrate, how to water it, and much more.

Soil

As the soil, it requires good drainage as it is prone to root rot. A soil for cacti and succulents can be used and coarse sand added.

It can be grown outdoors in sunny, dry, rocky crevices, although it requires protection from high winter humidity.

The plant can also be grown in alpine areas, as long as it is grown in poor and well-drained soils.

It is not necessary to transplant frequently, as it can remain in the same pot for several years.

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Hoffman 10404 Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix, 4 Quarts, Brown/A
  • Provides the drainage cacti need to flourish.
  • You will receive (1) 4-quart bag with this order.
  • Ready to use, so that you don’t need to take the time and energy to mix ingredients together.

Watering and Fertilization

Conophytum bilobum requires little irrigation water, otherwise its epidermis breaks, resulting in unsightly scars.

Water minimally in summer, only when the plant begins to wilt.

In the winter, water regularly after the leaves of the previous year, have dried. It requires good drainage.

For fertilizing Conophytum bilobum, feed it once during the growing season with a specific fertilizer formulated for succulents and cacti, low in nitrogen, including all micronutrients and trace elements, diluted to half the concentration recommended on the label.

It thrives in poor soils and needs a limited supply of fertilizers, to prevent the plants from developing excess vegetation, which is easily attacked by fungal diseases.

Growing conditions are as for exposure, keep cool and shaded in summer, it needs full sun or light shade.

As for temperature, it is resistant to 28 °F (-2 °C). Always make sure to have very good ventilation.

Pests and Diseases

It is a very resistant plant like the great majority of succulents, but it can suffer attacks from mealy bugs. To prevent diseases and pests in this succulent it is recommended not to water excessively and to use a substrate suitable for succulents.

How to Propagate Conophytum bilobum

For the propagation of Conophytum bilobum, it can be propagated either by cuttings or by seeds (Order seeds here).

Take the cutting from an adult mother plant. Each cutting should contain one or more heads along with a root fraction.

Conophytum is also easily propagated by seed. Small seeds can be sown in pots of fine, well-drained sand anytime during the spring and summer months when temperatures are warm.

Cover the seeds with a very thin layer of sand and water from below and treat them with a fungicide, to prevent fungus.

For the first 3–4 days, cover the pots with a sheet of clear glass/film to keep humidity levels high.

Remove the glass/film and replace it with a light shade-cloth and mist once or twice daily for the next two weeks, after which most of the seeds should have germinated.

Thereafter, watering with water spray can be reduced to every two or three days as the small plants grow.

We hope you found this article about Conophytum bilobum very useful. If you like succulents we recommend you our article about how to propagate succulents in water. We also recommend you read our article about succulents with yellow flowers.

how to propagate conophytum bilobum
Conophytum bilobum plant.

About Henry Morgan

Henry Morgan is an agronomist horticulture founder of The Garden Style Company and The Garden Style Website. He previously worked for Mondelēz International as an Agronomist Engineer specializing in agricultural products management in highly populated areas. In 2000, Henry started working with farmer-producers in agricultural businesses selling wholesale fresh produce and retail plants in Van Buren, Arkansas. Nowadays, Henry lives in California, where he offers expert consulting services for organic vegetable gardening. As a science writer working with his wife, Julia, Henry shares his passion for gardening and farming, trying to reach and teach as many folks as possible.

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