Detailed Explanation of the Key Cultivation Techniques for Stapelia gigantea
The flower Stapelia gigantea is a perennial plant of the genus Stapelia in the family Apocynaceae. It has adventitious roots. The succulent stems are four-angled (the 4 sides nearly round), with distinctly raised angles and fine, soft spines on the angles, leafless, bright green, turning purplish-red in winter, 15-20 cm tall and 3 cm in diameter. They grow upright in clusters, resembling deer antlers. Each stem bears 1-3 flowers.
These grow in clusters on the lower part of the new stems produced in the current year. The flowers are large, with 5 sepals; the corolla is yellow-green and radiates in a five-pointed star shape; 28-40 cm in diameter, the inner surface bears red transverse wrinkled waves and scattered pale purple markings, resembling a leopard's skin, hence the name.
The flower lobes are ovate-triangular, with acuminate tips extending into a long tail-like form; the lobe margins are revolute and covered with long greenish-white hairs, resembling a starfish; they are borne at the base and are purple; there is one pollinium per chamber, upright. The flowering period is August to October, and a single flower stays open for 3-4 days. It is small and exquisite, easy to propagate, highly adaptable, and requires only rough management; both its stems and flowers are beautiful, making it a fairly ideal indoor ornamental flower.
The flower Stapelia gigantea is native to Africa. It prefers fertile, loose sandy loam. It is best to change the soil and replant after 2 years of growth; pond mud should not be used as a base fertilizer. From April to July, during the period when new stems grow and buds develop, it needs fairly ample sunlight. At other times it grows normally under indoor light conditions.
In the south, it can withstand low temperatures of 5°C. Its stems readily produce adventitious roots, so it can be propagated by cuttings, which can be done throughout the year, with early spring being the best time. If planted properly, it can bloom in the same year. It has few pests and diseases.