How do you grow Spekboom?
In order to grow spekboom successfully, the soil must be well-drained. Even tough it has no special requirements to grow, compost and fertiliser will encourage quicker growth. Cuttings are easily rooted in spring though autumn. This miracle plant species can be beneficial in rehabilitating and restoring semi-arid and thicket habitats.
Is Spekboom a miracle plant?
“Planted in the correct area, spekboom is indeed a miracle plant. It can root from cuttings even in degraded soils which reach 70°C in summer and which receive no rain for several months on end. These rooted cuttings can then grow into mature plants over 10 to 20 years, allowing the spekboom thicket to regenerate.”
How big does a Spekboom get?
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. Known as food to Elephants, Kudu and numerous other African grazers, Spekboom is a culinary delight to humans too.
Is Spekboom a hardy hedge?
It is also one of the easiest plants to grow because it doesn’t need formal planting. Simply break a piece off and stick it in the ground in an area that gets lots of sun. Spekboom also responds well to pruning and grows densely, making it an excellent, hardy hedge.
How long does it take a spekboom to grow?
3-4 yearsPlants should reach flowering size within 3-4 years. The spekboom mistletoe (Viscum crassulae ) is a hemiparasite on the spekboom (Portulacaria afra ) in the Eastern Cape.
How big does a spekboom get?
Spekboom can live up to 200 years And Spekboom trees can grow as tall as 5 metres. Prior to the advent of large-scale livestock farming, some areas of the Eastern Cape had Spekboom forests so thick that it was said a grown human could walk across the top as if walking on a carpet.
Does spekboom need full sun?
Light: When grown outdoors the plant is quite tolerant of bright, direct light. But as a houseplant bright, indirect light is best - a location that gets a few hours of morning sun would be the perfect spot.
Will spekboom grow in shade?
It can be planted in sun or shade and works as a great bonsai plant or small specimen shrub.
Does spekboom need a lot of water?
#3 It is Water-wise and Super Resilient The low-maintenance plant can survive on as little as 250 – 350mm of water per year! Spekboom has a photosynthetic mechanism which allows it to adapt to all weather conditions so it can survive extreme conditions – from drought to frost.
How often should I water my spekboom?
once every two weeksAs an indoor plant, its fleshy green leaves, red stems and tendency to form a sculptural bush, make Spekboom a visual delight. Its drought-tolerant properties make this succulent a hardy home cohabitant. Place in bright light to direct sunlight and water once every two weeks.
Why is Spekboom called a miracle plant?
“Planted in the correct area, spekboom is indeed a miracle plant. It can root from cuttings even in degraded soils which reach 70°C in summer and which receive no rain for several months on end. These rooted cuttings can then grow into mature plants over 10 to 20 years, allowing the spekboom thicket to regenerate.”
Are Spekboom roots invasive?
'Spekboom is not indigenous to Cape Flats Sand Fynbos, it will colonize and become invasive in this habitat and threaten the already extremely threatened habitat and the endangered species that grow there,' she said in the post.
Are there different types of Spekboom?
The spekboom has numerous cultivars with markedly different growth forms.
How do you take cuttings from Spekboom?
0:251:14How to propagate a spekboom - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd stick it in a pot full of compost. Water while for the first few weeks. And your plant willMoreAnd stick it in a pot full of compost. Water while for the first few weeks. And your plant will start rooting. And you will have a new plant.
Is Spekboom good for diabetes?
Poultices made out of the leaves can be applied to acne, blisters, corns, insect bites, sore feet and sunburn. It has also been said that chewing Spekboom leaves several times a day can successfully treat high blood sugar levels.
How do you make a Spekboom hedge?
It is also one of the easiest plants to grow because it doesn't need formal planting. Simply break a piece off and stick it in the ground in an area that gets lots of sun. Spekboom also responds well to pruning and grows densely, making it an excellent, hardy hedge.
Are Spekboom roots invasive?
'Spekboom is not indigenous to Cape Flats Sand Fynbos, it will colonize and become invasive in this habitat and threaten the already extremely threatened habitat and the endangered species that grow there,' she said in the post.
Why is Spekboom called a miracle plant?
“Planted in the correct area, spekboom is indeed a miracle plant. It can root from cuttings even in degraded soils which reach 70°C in summer and which receive no rain for several months on end. These rooted cuttings can then grow into mature plants over 10 to 20 years, allowing the spekboom thicket to regenerate.”
Are there different types of Spekboom?
The spekboom has numerous cultivars with markedly different growth forms.
How do you make a Spekboom hedge?
It is also one of the easiest plants to grow because it doesn't need formal planting. Simply break a piece off and stick it in the ground in an area that gets lots of sun. Spekboom also responds well to pruning and grows densely, making it an excellent, hardy hedge.
Why is spekboom so special?
This remarkable plant is unique in that it stores solar energy to perform photosynthesis at night. This makes a spekboom thicket 10 times more effective per hectare at carbon fixing than any tropical rainforest.”. Excess carbon in the air is responsible for global warming so plant more spekboom to fight climate change!
What does spekboom taste like?
The taste of spekboom leaves are pleasant but changes throughout as the sun rises and sets. During the day leaves have an acid flavour and they become less acidic towards the evening. The delicious greenery is heavily browsed by game and firm favourite of several wild animals, especially elephants!
Why is Spekboom so beautiful?
Spekboom is beautiful when it is in full bloom; the noticeable rosy flowers cover the succulent in a sea of pink . The flowers lure insects and birds from afar because of its nectar.
What is the plant that elephants eat?
Spekboom aka ElephantBush, Dwarf Jade and PorkBush. The plant is also referred to as elephant’s food (and hence its name elephant bush) as itis what elephants love most and forms part of their vast diet. The Afrikaans word spekboom directly translates to ‘bacon tree’, which is how the name ‘porkbush’ came into being.
How tall can a spekboom tree grow?
Plant a Spekboom Tree. A spekboom tree can grow up to four metres tall! On Shamwari Private Game Reserve, spekboom occurs naturally in many parts of the reserve. Often it is found in dense habitats known as thickets, wherein certain animals, such a black rhino roam.
How does spekboom help the atmosphere?
This plant helps to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by acting like a carbon sponge, improving the quality of air we breathe. More specifically, spekboom can absorb between four to ten tonnes of carbon per hectare. This incredible tree uses carbon to make plant tissue and produce oxygen.
How to propagate spekboom?
Spekboom can be propagated from cuttings, which must be kept dry to prevent rotting. Allow the cleanly cut edges of the cuttings to dry out for a few days before planting it in well-drained river sand. In order to grow spekboom successfully, the soil must be well-drained.
How do I prune a Spekboom bonsai?
Pruning: It’s really easy to prune your Spekboom when the stems get particularly long to keep it looking neat. Just use a sterile blade and trim into the shape you desire. These houseplants are also a popular choice to prune into a bonsai form - smaller plants are best for this, or you make your own by propagating… see below!
What kind of soil should I use for a Spekboom plant?
Soil: A special potting mix for cacti and succulents is a good choice for this plant, and if desired, you can also add some pumice and sand for extra drainage. The Spekboom doesn’t like having wet feet so make sure the planter has drainage holes.
Why are my Portulacaria leaves turning brown?
Limp, brown or wilting leaves: This is a sign of a watering issue and could be a result of either root rot or prolonged under watering. If the roots of have started to rot, take stem cuttings of your Portulacaria afra and root in potting mix as detailed below.
How to propagate Portulacaria?
Propagation: Portulacaria propagation is a breeze - trim stems and leave to dry off for a day or two before planting the cuttings in a potting mix for cacti and succulents and wait for the plant to root. You can also use these cuttings to create a bonsai plant.
How to keep a Spekboom plant from going dormant?
Keep in a more shady spot until the plant has recovered. Plant has stopped growing: Over winter, if temperatures are cold enough , the Spekboom can go dormant; or have a winter rest. This is normal and growth will resume when temperatures increase. Just reduce watering until active growth starts up again.
How to keep bacon tree alive in winter?
Over winter, if temperatures are cool enough, the bacon tree will have a rest period which will be signalled by slower growth. At this point, reduce watering until signs of active growth resume. Humidity: Portulacaria afra copes well with average humidity; in a more humid environment, less watering will be needed.
What is the synonym for jade?
Synonyms: Spekboom, Bacon Tree, Pork Bush, Elephant’s Food, Elephant Bush, Dwarf Jade Plant . Portulacaria afra is an easy going succulent that has an attractive growth habit, with small green succulent leaves on a red coloured stem. Its sometimes referred to as a ‘dwarf jade’ plant due to its appearance but is actually not related to Crassula;
Why the Hype for Spekboom?
It’s proudly South African status and humble green leaves and red stems are making waves in in discussions worldwide, specifically relating to assist in the fight against global warming.
What is a Portulacaria afra?
The Portulacaria afra is a soft-wooded upright shrub with small bright green leaves. A variegated variety exists with lighter tones to the leaves. Extremely similar to, and often confused with the Crassula ovata or Jade plant, the Spekboom is more compact in it’s growth pattern.
How tall does Spekboom grow?
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.
What is the food of elephants?
Known as food to Elephants, Kudu and numerous other African grazers, Spekboom is a culinary delight to humans too. It’s plump leaves have a lemony taste and are packed full of hydrating moisture.
How much carbon dioxide is in the world?
Our Planet currently has carbon dioxide levels of 400 parts per million – an incredibly high level- in fact the highest level in 3 million years. Effectively, Spekboom should be planted en-masse on a global scale to start to reduce carbon dioxide levels. The need to decrease global temperature is critical, in a time when we are expanding, building and constantly growing! We are hypothetically (and physically) landing ourselves in hot water!
What plants are used as unintentional firebreaks?
When we think back to the recent California fires and how rows of Euphorbia tirucalli Sticks on Fire were used as unintentional firebreaks – we really can be appreciative of this unique category of plants!
Does Spekboom grow slowly?
Spekboom grows slowly, but amends soil quality. In places where drought has left dams dry, water is flowing again. The long term pay-off needs to be understood to be implemented – in this case, Spekboom is an essential environmental ‘bandage’ which also acts as a source of food and a way to build profit in South Africa.
What is a Spekboom?
Spekboom (aka Portulacaria afra) is a succulent that helps fight air pollution. It has the ability to ‘sequester’ or capture four to ten tons of carbon per hectare! Essentially, it acts as a carbon sponge, absorbing carbon from the atmosphere and turning it into plant matter. Excess carbon in the atmosphere is responsible for global warming, so the more carbon we can remove from the air and return to the ground, the better.
What is the mechanism of Spekboom?
Spekboom has a photosynthetic mechanism which allows it to adapt to both rainforest-like conditions and semi-arid conditions, making it incredibly adaptable and suited to almost any garden.
How to propagate a spekboom?
Spekboom is easily propagated, which is great news for budget gardeners. Simply cut or break off a piece of a spekboom, let it dry out for one or two days and then stick it in the ground. Give it a little water every few days and you’ll soon have a new spekboom plant of your own. Make sure you don’t give it too much water or it will rot.
Where is Spekboom native to?
Spekboom is indigenous to the Eastern Cape where South African elephants consider the plant a delicacy.
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Can spekboom be used as a hedge?
Whether you are looking for a plant that can be turned into a hedge or a bonsai, or used as groundcover or a large bush, spekboom can do it all. It responds well to pruning and grows densely, making it an excellent, hardy screen or hedge. Some varieties grow low to the ground and others reach as high as 2 metres!
A resilient & versatile succulent plant
Spekboom (Portulacaria afra) is a soft-wooded, semi-evergreen shrub that is regarded as a keystone species because of its status as the dominant species within the subtropical thicket biome – both in terms of cover and relative abundance. Some experts have dubbed it “a miracle plant.”
The increasing popularity of succulents
Succulents are popular for a number of reasons, not least of which their enormous aesthetic appeal, but also the fact that they require minimal maintenance. We all know the feeling of unwillingly killing a plant despite our best efforts to nurture and cherish it to fruition.
What does Spekboom look like?
The Spekboom has tiny round green leaves and typically reddish/lilac stems. Unfortunately for pork lovers, it doesn’t actually produce bacon.
Growing Spekboom at home
Without being too obvious about the elephant in the room, we’ve all spent abnormal amounts of time at home in the last year. Everyone has adjusted to a “new normal” in their own ways. Some of us are privileged enough to have gardens that provided invaluable sanctuary.
Protecting local flora & fauna
We want to invite you to embark on a journey of nature-conscious thinking with us at our inception. The local flora & fauna all around us is something to marvel at daily but to continue to have that luxury, small & gradual sacrifices must be made.
Combating climate change
We’re also fully committed to taking positive steps towards turning the tide against climate change. Offsetting our collective carbon footprint as a species is one proactive way in which we can move in that direction.
Benefits
Spekboom can root from cuttings even in degraded soils which reach 70°C in summer and receive no rain for several months.
How do plants capture carbon?
All plants “capture” carbon through a process called photosynthesis. Mills explains that, “Through photosynthesis , plants use energy from sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide into sugars and oxygen. The sugars are used to power cellular processes within the plant, as well as to build the physical structures of the plant.
How does a succulent plant capture carbon?
All plants “capture” carbon through a process called photosynthesis.
How long does it take for a spekboom to grow?
These rooted cuttings can then grow into mature plants over 10 to 20 years, allowing the spekboom thicket to regenerate.”.
What is spekboom used for?
It has many uses: it can be found as an ingredient in a locally crafted gin, or used in soap, or even used in food, as Bianca Coleman wrote in a 2019 article for Thank God It’s Food, referring to a special kind of velouté made from spekboom.
Why is spekboom important?
Kirkwood agrees: “In its natural… habitat, spekboom is an important element in maintaining huge natural carbon stores. Degrading, overgrazing or clearing of this habitat, historically or now, results in the release of that carbon store as both soil organic matter and plant biomass decomposes.
Where is carbon dioxide stored?
In this way, carbon dioxide is ‘captured’ from the atmosphere and stored in plant tissues and the surrounding soil. ”. Thus, trying to use plants that can sequester larger quantities of carbon to possibly reduce our country’s – and the world’s – carbon output seems promising. Image Maverick Life.
Is spekboom a good plant for a garden?
The same goes for planting spekboom in your garden. Dr Donovan Kirkwood, curator of the Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden explains that “Spekboom is … a fantastic, tough, easy to grow, attractive waterwise plant for the garden, available horticulturally in a range of forms from ground cover to tall shrubs – it’s a great choice ...
