order: caryophyllales
family: didiereaceae
genus: portulacaria
species: afra
Elephant bush is a succulent shrub from the southern part of the African continent. It is very often mistaken for a jade (Crassula ovata), which is not even remotely related. I've got this plant in November 2011, as they were selling it at 3.50 euro -- a really good bargain I thought. It comes with a blue ceramic pot and a water retaining saucer. Elephant bush uses its glossy green leaves and dark brown-barked stems to store water. During water shortage, wrinkles appear on leaves. Bark is tender and is subject to peel, especially when wet, which can be quite harmful to plant. So care has to be taken not to injure any part of the trunk.
The plant grows very fast in the summer. In order to keep it in shape, new growth needs to be pinched regularly. With the stem cuttings you can create new plants. I've created many of them this year. I had so many that I had to give them away to friends. The cuttings root readily when inserted into moist soil. They will need some water only after new growth appears.
At any time keep the elephant bush above 10°C. In a heated room with bright light, it grows all year round. Let the soil dry out between watering. Fertilise with a cactus fertiliser, half-strength, as the higher content of potassium (kalium) encourages the formation of wooden bark, which makes the stem sturdier. It is important to dilute the recommended concentration by half because this plant cannot handle the concentration of salt that is meant for a cactus. Concentrated salt will draw water from the plant and cause its thick leaves to shrivel. If this happens, water the plant plentifully and let the water drip out from the bottom hole.
family: didiereaceae
genus: portulacaria
species: afra
The plant grows very fast in the summer. In order to keep it in shape, new growth needs to be pinched regularly. With the stem cuttings you can create new plants. I've created many of them this year. I had so many that I had to give them away to friends. The cuttings root readily when inserted into moist soil. They will need some water only after new growth appears.
At any time keep the elephant bush above 10°C. In a heated room with bright light, it grows all year round. Let the soil dry out between watering. Fertilise with a cactus fertiliser, half-strength, as the higher content of potassium (kalium) encourages the formation of wooden bark, which makes the stem sturdier. It is important to dilute the recommended concentration by half because this plant cannot handle the concentration of salt that is meant for a cactus. Concentrated salt will draw water from the plant and cause its thick leaves to shrivel. If this happens, water the plant plentifully and let the water drip out from the bottom hole.
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