Carpobrotus deliciosus
| Carpobrotus deliciosus | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 1' |
| Width: | 3' |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Carpobrotus deliciosus (common name: sweet hottentot fig)
Propagation: Seed - surface sow March to June in a greenhouse. Lower night-time temperatures are beneficial. The seed usually germinates in 7 - 10 days at 23°c[1]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings at any time during the growing season. Allow the cutting to dry in the sun for a day or two then pot up in a very sandy mix. Very easy[K].
Cultivation: Requires a well-drained sandy soil in a sunny position[2][3]. Plants can be grown on dry walls or in the flower border[4]. Established plants are very drought resistant[3]. Very resistant to wind and salt spray[4]. Moderately fire-retardant[3].
Plants are not very frost resistant , they can be damaged by temperatures below about -2°c and only succeed outdoors in the milder areas of the country[3].
A vigorous prostrate plant, rooting as it spreads. The flowers only open in the afternoon[3].
Range: S. Africa - Cape Province and Riversdale districts.
Edibility: Fruit - raw or used as a garnish for fruit salads[5][3]. The fruit can also be dried and eaten like candy or made into jams and preserves[5]. There is very little flesh in the fruit and it must be fully ripe otherwise it is very astringent[K].
Usage: The plant is moderately fire-retardant and can be planted as a barrier to the spread of forest fires in Mediterranean and similar climates[3].
Planted on sunny banks and sandy soils in order to prevent soil erosion[3].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ Bird, R. Growing from Seed Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan, 1989.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Taylor, Jane. The Milder Garden. Dent, 1990.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.