Conophytum Burgeri is a rare single-bodied succulent that imitates the shape of an onion or a light bulb. This rare plant will give your home garden a refreshing look coupled with uniqueness.
This informative article contains all you need to know to care for your Conophytum Burgeri without a hassle.
What Is a Conophytum Burgeri?
Conophytum Burgeri is a beautiful succulent that belongs to the Aizoaceae family. Native to South Africa, it is also known as the tiny light bulbs or the burger’s onion due to its shape. Conophytum Burgeri grows at a relatively slow pace to a diameter of about one inch.
Conophytum Burgeri Care
Conophytum Burgeri’s growing season ranges from fall to winter, and it enters a period of dormancy from spring to summer. These specific growing and resting periods affect the care requirements of the plant. Let’s explore the care needs of Conophytum Burgeri in this section.
– Water
Thoroughly water your Conophytum Burgeri during the fall, which is the plant’s growing season. It is when it produces purple flowers. Allow the soil to completely dry again before you water your plant again. Conophytum Burgeri typically wrinkles when it is thirsty. Giving your plant too much water may cause root rot or the development of new leaves at the wrong time.
The plant becomes dormant during the spring, so you should reduce your watering frequency. If need be, don’t water the plant during this season.
– Light
Conophytum Burgeri is happy when you grow it under bright light. However, intense sunlight for extended periods will cause sunburn on your plant. It is OK to place Conophytum Burgeri under full sunlight for limited periods during the mornings and late afternoons.
When the dormancy period ends, plan a gradual reintroduction to increased amounts of light. Do this over several days to avoid shocking your plant.
– Soil
You will need a porous growth medium that is well-draining when you are growing Conophytum Burgeri. Ideally, you can buy a commercial potting mix for succulents. Alternatively, you can make your own at home.
Potting Mix
To create your potting mix, you will need soil, peat moss, perlite, sand, and other additives like bonemeal and limestone. The soil takes up two parts of the final potting mix. You can use the commercial soilless alternatives because they are free of weeds and disease-causing microorganisms. If you decide to use your garden soil, heat it at 200 F for 20 minutes in an oven.
Add one part builder’s sand to create the coarse texture that enhances good aeration and drainage in the potting mix. Perlite, vermiculite, or crushed charcoal add air spaces to the soil mix.
You can also add limestone for its magnesium and calcium that help maintain the potting mix’s pH and bonemeal, whose phosphate stimulates your plant’s root growth. For every four gallons of the potting mix, add two ounces of bonemeal and two ounces of limestone.
– Temperature
Conophytum Burgeri can tolerate high temperatures. However, temperatures below 32 F damage the plant. If you live in regions where temperatures can drop below freezing points, grow your plant in a container so that you can move it indoors when necessary.
– Fertilizer
Conophytum Burgeri doesn’t require fertilizers because it is a light feeder. If you feel that your plant needs a boost in nutrition, add the fertilizer just before your plant begins to flower. You can also add the feeding at the beginning of every growing season.
If, for any reason, you repot your plant after every two years, adding some fertilizer will give the plant the boost that it needs.
Choose fertilizers that are low in nitrogen content. Be sure to dilute the fertilizer to half or quarter strength before use.
Propagation
You don’t want to keep ordering new plants when you can propagate them from the ones you currently have. This section will give you insights into properly and successfully propagate Conophytum Burgeri. You can propagate this plant through division or seeds.
– Division
To propagate Conophytum Burgeri through division, separate the mature plant into clusters of between two and four rooted pairs of leaves. To do this, carefully remove the plant from its pot and cut through the roots to separate the clusters. Don’t forget to disinfect the knife you will use for the separating procedure.
Plant each cluster with its rooted leaves into a new pot with the same potting soil like the one that you used for the mother plant. Propagation through division is best done after your plant has flowered or when the plants are still in their dormancy.
– Seeds
Prepare a well-draining potting mix and sterilize it by placing it in an oven at 350 F for 30 minutes. Fill the planter with the soil and place Conophytum Burgeri seeds in it. Spread a thin layer of fine sand on top of the soil. Place the pot with the seeds in a sunny spot but avoid direct exposure to sunlight while keeping the soil medium moist.
If you maintain temperatures between 65 F and 70 F, germination can occur within one or two weeks. Some seeds may take up to a month, but that’s fine because there is no way the seeds will germinate simultaneously.
Watering Conophytum Burgeri seeds should be done on a regular basis but reduced as the seedlings grow. When the seedlings appear like they are competing for space, replant them into new pots.
Problems
Most diseases that affect plants rarely attack the Conophytum Burgeri. This makes the plant relatively easy to take care of.
Let’s look at the few issues that are common among Conophytum plants.
– Diseases
Conophytum Burgeri is rarely affected by diseases. However, protect your plant from Botrytis, a fungal plant parasite. To keep your plant safe from Botrytis, remove old sheaths that remain when new leaves develop. Remove dead flowers, too.
– Pests
A few pests are known to affect Conophytum Burgeri.
– Root Mealybugs
Root mealybugs are wingless insects that typically have gray or white wax as the outermost coating on their bodies. Their length is about a tenth of an inch. If you see the ones that are yellow and unwaxed, these are the smaller root mealybugs.
These pests are dangerous because they feed on your plant’s rooting system and make it easy for other plant diseases to affect your plant.
Intervention
To deal with root mealybugs, carefully uproot your plant from its pot, and remove as much soil as possible. Now, dip the root system of your Conophytum Burgeri in hot water, whose temperature is between 115 F and 120 F for not more than 10 minutes.
Get a new pot, sterilize it, and fill it with a new potting mix. Replant your Conophytum Burgeri into the new pot.
If you prefer organic methods for controlling Conophytum Burgeri, consider using Neem oil, diatomaceous, or insecticidal soaps. You can buy insecticidal soaps or make yours using ingredients available in your home. Controlling root mealybugs in the soil of your plants is easier with pesticides like Tetramethrin, Phenothrin, and Dichlorvos.
– Snails and Slugs
Snails and slugs can be easily controlled during the night because they are nocturnal feeders. Once you catch them in the act, pick them by hand, and kill them by dropping them in a bucket full of soapy water. To find them, check them in moist areas, rocks, boards, and other shady areas in your home garden.
Intervention
Another strategy for reducing the number of slugs and snails is to reduce moisture in your garden. Doing this will make your home garden a less conducive place for the survival of these pests. Also, remove any dead plant or woody material from your garden.
Some people use salt to control snails and slugs. This is not a great idea because although the salt will kill the pest, it will also alter the pH of your soil.
FAQ
Can I put rocks in my Conophytum Burgeri?
Rocks in Conophytum Burgeri can improve drainage but avoid overcrowding the roots. Use a well-draining soil mix and place rocks strategically.
What does Conophytum Burgeri do at night?
Conophytum Burgeri closes its leaves at night to conserve moisture and protect against cooler temperatures, reducing water loss.
Is Conophytum Burgeri a dwarf succulent?
Yes, Conophytum Burgeri is a dwarf succulent known for its compact size. Its small stature makes it a popular choice for indoor gardening.
Conclusion
Are you ready to get started with parenting your Conophytum Burgeri? Let’s go through the summary once again so you’ll have the confidence in caring for the Burger’s Onion:
- Water your Conophytum Burgeri when its soil is completely dry during its growing season. Reduce the frequency when the plant is dormant.
- Conophytum Burgeri requires bright light.
- Warm temperatures are conducive to the growth of Conophytum Burgeri. Avoid temperatures below 32 F.
- Conophytum Burgeri can be propagated through seeds or division.
- Root mealybugs, slugs, and snails are the main pests you should look out for as you take care of your plant.
Time to explore! Now that you have all the information you need to start caring for Conophytum Burgeri, there is no reason to wait. Get your gloves and boots, and get ready to start!
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