Balcony as a desert? The marmoset loves it! This fat-leaved succulent has special water-filled cells in its leaves that help it survive even the greatest heat. It requires sun, poor soil and almost no care.
Diamonds against drought
On every balcony and garden there is a corner that looks as if the green side is slowly turning into a barren desert that will destroy all living things. The clay dries to dust there and most flowers quietly capitulate sooner or later. However, it is precisely in such places that the marmoset feels best, which belongs to .
If you look closely, you will notice tiny glittering dots on the leaves of the chamomile. They are not decorations, but functional cells filled with water. These glittering crumbs on the leaves allow the plant to survive even the worst heat. In short, the marmoset saves water before it runs out. Just be careful when handling. Its leaves can be brittle and break off easily.
However, this does not apply to all species. There are many species of marmosets and marmosets, so some are quite smooth, matte, glossy, tufted and drooping, but all hold water in their fleshy leaves.
- marmoset daisy, Dorotheanthus bellidiformis – a fast-growing annual with colorful flowers similar to daisies; subtle shimmer; ideal for chests; hates frost, dies below 0 °C.
- golden-yellow hairy, Delosperma nubigenum – compact, low species with yellow flowers; thick pillows; inconspicuous glittering cells; extremely durable; frost resistance down to around −25 °C.
- edible marmoset, Carpobrotus edulis – robust, creeping succulent with large fleshy leaves and flowers; very prominent “diamonds”; tolerates drought and salty air very well; frost resistance only around −5 °C (in our case, rather for containers).
- Lampranthus, also known as marmoset – profusely flowering species with bright, saturated colors; suitable for boxes and containers; moderately visible glistening cells; sensitive to frost, approx. 0 to −3 °C, grown as annuals or overwintered.
- cordifolia, Aptenia cordifolia – an overhanging, ground-covering succulent with tiny pink flowers; suitable for hanging containers; less conspicuous “diamonds”; sensitive to cold, approx. −2 °C, must be wintered outside the garden.
- other frost-resistant chamois and marmosets – Delosperma dyeri, Delosperma cooperi cv. Firespinner, Delosperma congestum, Delosperma seanii–hoganii, Delosperma aberdeenense, Delosperma cooperi and others. Although these species are more resistant, they deserve protection during the winter, but more from moisture than from cold. The plant freezes and rots precisely because of the winter moisture.
How to care for a marmoset?
Kosmatec is ideal for those who refuse to spend the summer with a watering can in hand. It grows rather wide, willingly overgrows the edges of the boxes and creates dense carpets.
- Where with him: It requires the hottest place. In the shade, the plant stretches for light and refuses to flower.
- Substrate: Forget expensive, humus soil. The marmoset prefers sand, gravel and poor soil. The most important thing is throughput. If he has “wet feet” he’ll dodge before you know it.
- Water: Water only when the substrate is completely dry. If you forget about him for a week, you will do well.
- Multiplication: It’s suspiciously easy. Just break off a piece of stem with leaves, stick it in the ground and the plant will take care of the rest.
Kosmatke also presents the following post from Tom The Gardener’s YouTube channel.
Flowers only in sunny weather
The color range of marmots resembles a small firework. Frisbees offer a wide range of different colors, from deep pink or orange to pure white or yellow.
Do you think that your plant may be sick and has flowers but won’t open? The marmoset only opens its flowers when they are exposed to direct sunlight. Technically, this is called photonastia. As soon as it gets cloudy or evening comes, the show ends and the flowers close.
In our country, chamomiles are mainly grown as annuals. Some species can tolerate frost, but it is good to think of them as those that deserve protection or a different habitat in winter. If you place them in a corridor, loggia or greenhouse, they will definitely survive the winter and continue to grow happily.
