DS-LACY CLOUDLET is very unusual Dimetris' hybrid.
It has many genes from native xerophytic Streptocarpus species. It could stay in dry soil for a few days without losing the turgor.
It has small rounded thick leaves that create neat rosette. Leaves practically do not evaporate water in hot environment as regular Streptocarpus. Compact accurate rosette reminds me of African Violets.
Like other xerohpytes it's also a slow grower.
It thrives in very poor soil. You could add 2-3 parts of sphagnum (not peated) to your regular soil.
Blossoms have tender light blue color.
From Russian forum
Pavel:
"This seedling has compact rosette, great immunity.
I starts flowering very early.
With time the blossom become more frilly
Blossom are not big - only 6-7 cm. I guise we spoiled and already consider this size is kind of small.
sometimes it have these strange "ears"
http://dimetris.com.ua/forum/files/ds__256.jpg
[img]first photos from forumchane - this one is from Saint-Petersburg
http://dimetris.com.ua/forum/files/ds_l ... e2_153.jpg[/img]
together with other hybrids
With age frills gets better
these peduncels are taller and very thick and strong.
Pavel's seedling is getting bigger ( in November)
Some blossom looks like that
It looks like the older plant start to have blossom like these
Pavel:
"
This hybrid has genes of species Streptocarpus that grow in savannas and has the properties of succulents. They have thick fleshy leaves. This variety can be watered less frequently. It could stay in very dry soil few days without visible changes. Root system also similat to the root systems of succulents - it does not dye in dry hot condition. I have not done experiment yet, but suspect that it could withstand much higher temperature than other Streptocarpus hybrids.
I think is grow slow because it has succulent type photosynthesis (CAM photosynthesis).
During the day the plant is not breathing, does not absorb carbon dioxide and and does not release oxygen. The plant stomata (pores) closed during the day, thereby preventing loss of moisture. The plant start to breathe at night when temperature is cooler.
Therefore, succulents and grow more slowly."
Another photos from foumchane
Look at that beautiful neat compact rosette
June 25, 2013
