Spekboom is a drought-resistant plant that can survive on just 250mm to 350mm a year, so it’s low maintenance. Water-riser. Portulacaria afra – the name might sound like a mouthful, so it might be easier to refer to this plant by another name. We suggest fertilising once in late winter to early spring with fertilizer. Flourishing in semi-arid conditions, this plant can live for up to 200 years and grow as tall as five metres. Wind break. Choose a location with as much sunlight as possible when growing Spekboom indoors and remember not to leave it outside in the winter months, they don't like frost! in the semi-arid Karoo region, where growing conditions are ideal for this resilient plant. Please send us a message here. Spekboom is incredibly versatile and thrives in a bright, warm, draft-free room. Elephant bush (Portulacaria afra) is a semi-evergreen shrubby flowering succulent native to South Africa.In the wild, elephant bush grows in dry, sunny locations. Elephant bush is a drought-tolerant plant, ideally suited to growing in arid, desert-like environments.. We recommend growing it to a 50-100cm minimum, but please grow it as big as you can, the bigger your Spekboom the more carbon it will absorb. Now, government programs and charities are looking into growing spekboom as a way to fight climate change. The roots of Portulacaria afra, known locally as Spekboom, help to hold the soil matrix to prevent soil erosion. Pot plant. Planting nursery stock or even wild strains in nature that do not correspond to the wild-growing genotype could cause what is called genetic erosion. Place the plant indoors and somewhere with plenty of sunlight. Spekbooms can grow into small trees, 2-4m high in the right conditions. It favours North-facing slopes where it is exposed to maximum sunlight. The Portulacaria Afra or the Elephant Bush is a perennial succulent shrub native to South Africa. This is because spekboom functions differently from other plants in that it continues to photosynthesise during the night, thanks to its ability to store solar energy. Choose a location with indirect sunlight when growing elephant bush indoors. It favours North-facing slopes where it is exposed to maximum sunlight. How much would we need to plant to combat carbon emissions? Add the vinegar, sugar and salt. Taste and add more seasoning if required. Spekboom is proudly South African. Natures wonderfully weird adaptations in plants. Only ever lightly water, once to twice a week. A thin transparent layer covers both the … This means that they are difficult to plant in times of drought. Spekboom is incredibly versatile and thrives in a bright, warm, draft-free room. Just make sure that the pot has large drainage holes and that the plant never stands in water. The spekboom is not only hardy – it is also a perennial and can live for … This plant is so well adapted to the dry, harsh conditions of the African bushveld that it can easily thrive where most plants falter. It’s water wise. It is found predominantly in the Eastern Cape, and especially in the semi-arid Karoo region, where growing conditions are ideal for this resilient plant. There seems to be a growing pride in South African’s about our endemic shrub, spekboom. How big can a Spekboom get? It’s a pretty-looking shrub with small round green leaves and red stems. Have a few of these plants in your garden, and you will benefit from its ability to raise … Spekboom (Portulacaria afra) is a small, succulent tree that is native to the Eastern Cape region of South Africa. It is a source of nectar or water for insects thereby also attracting insectivorous birds. At this point, reduce watering until signs of active growth resume, but never let it stay too dry for long. A mistletoe, Viscum crassulae, also parasitizes this plant. The low-maintenance plant can survive on as little as 250 – 350mm of water per year! Spekboom forests can serve as grazing and browsing areas of last resort for wildlife and livestock, even when all else has withered in a drought. The humble Spekboom is regarded as a powerful tool in the fight against climate change as it is highly efficient in trapping carbon dioxide. 1. Star-shaped pink flowers attract insects and birds to the garden from late winter until spring. Plants should reach flowering size within 3-4 years. Spekboom (Portulacaria Afra), also known as the Pork Bush or Elephant’s Food, is an indigenous South African plant making big waves on the local conservation scene. Even tough it has no special requirements to grow, compost and fertiliser will encourage quicker growth. Thriving in poor soils, it tolerates both drought and frost. And the growing stands of elephant bush combat global warming. Thriving in poor soils, it tolerates both drought and frost. Portulacaria afra plant prefers growing in dry, rocky slopes and outcrops. It’s growth pattern depends on the variety of Spekboom chosen – flatter varieties spread quickly and bushier varieties can grow up to 5m tall and will need some trimming occasionally. Temperature: They prefer a room free of drafts. In short, Spekboom seems to have become the charismatic ambassador of a movement. Due to over-grazing, development and drought, many areas of the Karoo are eroded and denuded. Soil: Mix one-half potting soil and a mixture of sand, pumice or vermiculite. Place the plant in a room with direct sun and without a draught. It favours North-facing slopes where it is exposed to maximum sunlight. Portulacaria afra is a small-leaved succulent plant found in South Africa. The succulent, which has small juicy green leaves, is found across the South African provinces of the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and … Choose a location with as much sunlight as possible when growing Spekboom indoors and remember not to leave it outside in the winter months, they don't like frost! Too much bright light can cause the leaves to drop off. SPEKBOOM IS PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN: It is found predominantly in the Eastern Cape, and especially in the semi-arid Karoo region, where growing conditions are ideal for this resilient plant. Portulacaria afra* (Spekboom): Make your very own carbon hedge with Spekboom. They do not survive as well in difficult weather conditions. Take your plant out of the box and identify a sunny spot for it to live be growing. Is a small, succulent tree that is native to the garden late... For pots and containers ( spekboom ): a tough low growing shrub with small emerald-green! 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