Spekboom splendour

 

Tonight all my Spekbooms (Portulacaria afra) look spectacular after a few days of rain - they actually do much better with more water than less, but they are absolute die-hards and will just go into rest-mode during a severe drought.

And just in case you wondered, these pics were really taken tonight. The iPhone 11 Pro actually has quite a spectacular camera.

This pic was taken this morning through my bedroom blinds, if you look closely, you can see the raindrops on the leaves.

Also known as the elephant bush, porkbush and purslane tree, the ecological significance of this tree is well-known all over the world as it helps to fight climate change and air pollution.

The Spekboom flowers are nectar-rich and provide food for many insects - endangered bees and birds love them! Larvae of the Duadem butterfly also feed on the Portulacaria species.  If you do happen to see this large, green caterpillar on your Spekboom, don't be alarmed. Although it may seem to be harming the plant, it in fact is helping the tree to produce new leaves, similar to what pruning a tree does.

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Waiting for the rain

I never thought I’d be saying, ‘waiting for the rain’ so soon after the massive floods we had here on the Dolphin Coast a mere three or four weeks ago (we had 244mm in less than 23 hours), but if I don’t bring out the hosepipe soon, I’m going to have a very grumpy succulent garden on my hands. Under the Tradescantia (above), the Callisia repens is dry and brittle and I have actually removed huge patches of it (they spread like a wild-fire anyway) to make way for new growth. Provided I water it. All the plants here at the coast are used to regular rain, at least twice a week, so no rain for the past month is not good.

My (new) rain gauge is also waiting patiently, he hasn’t seen a drop since I installed him 3 weeks ago.

The succulents I do have in pots, like the Graptoveria and Sedum above, are easier to water and to keep an eye on and they don’t need that much water anyway.

But I have been coddling my newly-sprouted Leatherleaf Fern (not a succulet, I know, but I have a soft spot for any type of fern, I never had much chance of growing them in Tarlton (Gauteng, South Africa), because of the dry weather and frost-bitten winters there), so if a fern of whatever lineage wants to sprout in my garden, she will have my full cooperation! 

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Spekboom, loved by elephants and butterflies alike

Portulacaria afra (also known as elephant bush, dwarf jade plant, porkbush, purslane tree and Spekboom in Afrikaans) is a small-leaved succulent plant indigenous to South Africa. These succulents commonly have a reddish stem and leaves that are green, but a variegated cultivar is also often seen in cultivation. They are simple to care for and make easy houseplants for a sunny location. In frost-free regions they may be used in outdoor landscaping. 💚

 

Spekboom also make great container plants and already the birds enjoy roosting in the one above as it is near their favourite bathing place. Spekboom is totally edible and widely used in salads. I've often seen the birds taking bits of the leaves. 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! There the English name of Elephant Bush.

I have about 8 Spekboom throughout my garden and this one above ws planted about a year ago as a 12" cutting which I had rooted in a container with water first until it developed roots. But I have found that even just sticking pieces straight into the ground is a successful method of propagation.

The Spekboom is also host to the caterpillar of the Duadem butterfly who lays itsr eggs in a tree or other suitable plants nearby and the caterpillars always seem to head straight for the Spekboom or the White Spotted-leaf Calla Lilies. But no need to worry, they don't do much damage to the Spekboom and although the caterpillars can almost annihilate the Arum leaves, the plant comes back with a vengeance, fuller and bushier and more beautiful than before.

The leaves are used medicinally and in traditional home construction. Here are the most popular traditional and contemporary uses of spekboom leaves:

• - Sucking a leaf to quench thirst, treat exhaustion, dehydration and heatstroke.
• - Using crushed leaves to provide relief for blisters.
• - Chewing leaves can treat a sore throat and mouth infections.
• - Juiced leaves are used as an antiseptic and to soothe skin ailments such as pimples, rashes, - insect stings and sunburn.
• - In certain areas, the stems are used to help build huts/homes. The stems are dried and used as thatch for rooves of the huts/homes.
• - In Mozambique, breastfeeding mothers eat spekboom leaves to increase their milk supply.
• - During famine, the Zulus eat the leaves raw.
• (This information from Shamwari Game Reserve)

The spekboom flowers are nectar-rich and provide food for many insects – endangered bees love them! This, in turn, attract insectivorous birds. 

Spekboom can live up to 200 years and these trees can grow as tall as 5 metres.

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Sansevieria, a feng shui favourite

Mother-in-Law’s Tongue or Sansevieria trifasciata is native to Asia and Africa. Snake plants (Sansevieria) have a number of health benefits. They filter indoor air, remove toxic pollutants, may help boost mental health, are easy to care for, are effective against allergies and may help enhance the “energy” of a space, according to feng shui, therefore they are ideal in the bedroom. 

In the garden they thrive in full sun as well as partial shade and quickly spread through rizomes. They are also great in pots indoors or on the patio.

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Easy-going Graptoveria

 

If you’re looking for a succulent that’s easy to care for and propagates readily, get hold of a Graptoveria fantome. By propagating leaves, you will never have to buy another one and will soon have enough plants to start a nursery! 

They are truly drought-tolerant, love full sun and will even grow in water!