Portulacaria afra
Elephant Bush, Elephant Food, Dwarf Jade
Portulacaria afra
Elephant Bush belongs to a small species called the (purslane) .
Most of the plants of this species are herbs, and some are succulent plants (cactuses).
They are Under Shrubs plants, and are native to America and Africa in desert areas.
It is distinguished by its juicy, fleshy leaves, and the flowers in this family are hermaphroditic, with limited inflorescences, cymes, and the stigmas (the female organ) are many, and pollination is mixed by insects, as the insects gather on the nectar of the flowers.
The scientific name for the plant is Portulacaria afra
Elephant bush
Portulacaria afra jacq:
Portulacaria afra description.
A is a succulent shrub with a fleshy stem, about one meter high. The stem is thick, succulent, brown in color, the branches are spread out, and the leaves are fleshy, upside down, small, green in color, about 2 cm long. They are round from the bottom and have a beautiful attractive shape that closely resembles leaves. Portulacaria afra
(Elephant bush) .
Flowers of Portulacaria afra
(Elephant Bush) needs conditions that are largely suitable for the environmental conditions of its original habitat in order to produce flowers.
Portulacaria afra Elephant Bush
In general, Portulacaria afra flowers
Elephant bush grows in groups that are not distinguished in shape and are pink in color. The leaves also secrete nectar that is useful in the pollination process, as insects gather on them and transport insects to pollinate the flowers, as the pollination is in Portulacaria afra.
Elephant Bush cross pollination.
Portulacaria afra plant propagation
Elephant bush.
Portulacaria afra multiplies
Elephant Bush is by cultivating cuttings obtained from the mother plant and from aged branches, where it is planted in a good, porous soil consisting of sand + peat moss at a ratio of 4: 1, in planting boxes. In any season of the year.
After germination, the cuttings are transferred in planting bags or suitable pots for a period of 2-3 months, then the cuttings are rotated in larger pots or larger planting bags, and so on until they are planted in permanent land.
Portulacaria afra plant watering
Elephant bush.
Portulacaria afra
Elephant Bush to regular irrigation without thirst or flooding at all, but irrigation is done according to the needs of plants,
The irrigation process also depends on the environmental conditions and the nature of the soil in the area where the plant is grown. The best way to know if the plant needs water is to stick your finger in the pot 3 cm. If you find moisture, do not water the plant.
Fertilizing Portulacaria afra
Elephant bush.
Portulacaria afra
Elephant Bush is an integrated fertilization mechanism, whether for well-decomposed organic fertilizer or neutral chemical fertilizer.
Where well-decomposed organic fertilizer is added
Neutral chemical fertilization NPK 10 – 10 – 10 nitrogen – phosphorus – potassium is also done at a rate of 300 g in two batches, the first batch is during March and the second batch is during August. It is also preferable to add micro-mineral elements
Coffee residue, banana peel, or eggshell can be used by soaking it in water and then watering the plant. One of the products from Amazon that contains humic acid and amino acids can be used to increase nitrogen for use in bonsai to increase green leaves.
Portulacaria afra plant cultivation.
Elephant Bush in home gardens.
The cactus purslane plant can be grown in home gardens in flower beds, or it can be planted as a plant fence with a very attractive shape.
Also, the cactus purslane plant can be grown in pots inside apartments, as it can grow well in half-shaded places.
Light requirements of Portulacaria afra Elephant bush.
Portulacaria afra plants
Elephant bush mostly needs sunny places, but it can also tolerate a lack of light, as it is grown indoors in pots suitable for the size and age of the plant.
Soil suitable for growing Portulacaria afra Elephant bush.
Portulacaria afra
Elephant Bush to porous soil with good drainage, where it is good in light yellow lands with good drainage, and its cultivation also succeeds in sandy lands, provided that irrigation is done regularly without thirst for plants, and the best types of soil that are good for Portulacaria afra plants
Elephant Bush Soil consisting of coarse sand + peat moss in a ratio of 4: 1.
Portulacaria afra plant uses Elephant bush.
1- Cactus purslane plants are grown as ornamental plants in rock gardens, as well as in public gardens and home gardens.
2- Cactus purslane plants are also grown as a fence with the availability of sunlight and suitable soil.
3- Portulacaria afra can be grown
Elephant Bush in dry, sandy places as a fence.
4 – Purslane can be grown in the bedroom or living room using bonsai.
5- Portulacaria afra
Elephant bush can tolerate half-shaded places where it is grown indoors or in halls.
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