Strumaria gemmata

Strumaria gemmata.  Pearl Snowflake. The two hairy leaves appear in winter, the rainy season. These oblong to elliptic leaves become 20 cm long and 25 mm wide. The leaf tips are rounded. Leaves recurve or are prostrate. The inflorescence defines the height of about 40 cm that the plant attains. Small flowers are borne on long pedicels in an umbel of about 15 to 20 flowers on a scape that is also long. Sowing : Sow seeds in deep seed trays as soon as possible after harvesting in a very well-drained, sandy medium to which some fine compost is added. Press lightly into the soil, so that the top of the seed remains visible. Water well once and then again only after the first leaves appear. After that, water well once every two to three weeks. When the leaves begin to yellow, withhold watering altogether. Judicious watering starts again when the leaves reappear after the dormant period. Locality: Andriesberg. Harvest: March 2024