Fritia: characteristics of the species frithia pulchra and humilis, rules for care and transplantation, differences from fenestaria, as well as photos

For those who are looking for truly innovative solutions in the design of the surrounding space with the help of representatives of the flora world, fritium will become a real find.

This fancy plant will successfully cope with the role of a living stylish accent in the interior. The homeland of succulents is the Republic of South Africa with fairly extreme climatic conditions. Therefore, growing a flower will not cause much trouble. However, you must know about the rules of care.

This will be discussed in this article. And also you will learn how exot propagates, what diseases and pests can destroy a flower.

Plant characteristics

Fritia is a flowering succulent from the Aisov family. The plant is stemless. The leaves are fleshy, cylindrical or bottle-shaped with a truncated edge and transparent convex windows. Collected in bundles. Leaves of a gray-green hue with a rough surface, measuring about 2 cm in length and 1 cm in width.

In the flowering phase, the plant is in spring and summer. The flowers are single, with a diameter of 2-2.5 cm of a purple-pink hue with a white neck, located in the center of the rosettes.

Flowers bloom only during the day in direct sunlight, and close at night. The flowering period lasts a week.

The plant comes from South Africa. It is extremely rare in nature, only in the hills near Pretoria. Fritia, being a native of lands with a very harsh hot climate, is extremely unpretentious in leaving. Subject to elementary maintenance rules, the plant will be able to fulfill the role of the original interior element for many years.

What is the difference from fenestaria?

Externally, these two plants are not easy to distinguish. Similarity was given to them by the general harsh conditions in their natural habitat. Both succulents come from Africa, but frit grows in more humid areas.

The main external difference is that fenestaria have absolutely smooth transparent leaves, while fritia leaves seem to be covered with a rough mesh.

Fenestaria buds are attached to a small stem, while Fritium is completely stemless. It is as easy as possible to determine who is who of these succulents during the flowering period. Fenestaria has white flowers, Fritia has purple hues.

There are no critical differences in the care of these succulents, unless Fritium is a bit more demanding on the frequency of irrigation.

Views and their photos

Fritia is a monotypic genus whose species includes two populations - Frithia pulchra and Frithia humilis

Frithia pulchra

Translated from Latin as "beautiful", "beautiful."
Western population.
The flowers are purple-pink, less often yellow, with a diameter of 20-25 mm.
Larger size compared to Frithia humilis.
The fruit is tough, reveals when wetted.

Frithia humilis

Translated from Latin as "prismatic."
Eastern population.
White flowers, with a diameter of 11-20 mm.
Smaller size compared to Frithia pulchra.
The fruit is fragile, cracking even before it gets wet.

Important! Often Frithia humilis is found under the name Frithia pulchra var. minor.

Home Care

Lighting

The shaded places of Fritia categorically do not fit. Plant prefers direct sunlight, only he will contribute to proper intensive growth. In winter, it is necessary to organize additional lighting.

Temperature

Rather high temperatures of about 24-29 degrees are comfortable for fenestaria. With the onset of winter, the temperature can be significantly reduced, to 11-13 degrees, but it is impossible to allow drafts or severe hypothermia of the plant, it will die.

Location

It is best to place fenestaria on the windowsills of the southern or southeastern rooms, where the plant will be guaranteed sufficient lighting.

Watering

Highly An important condition when watering Fritia is to prevent moisture from entering the outlet. Therefore, watering is best done either on the edge of the pot, or through the pan.

The substrate should not be waterlogged. One watering per week is enough from April to August.

From early September to early February, the plant hibernates. At this time, watering is stopped. In February, they resume, but not in full. The plant is gradually introduced into a new irrigation regime, starting with small portions of moisture.

Air humidity

Fritia feels good with an average humidity of 45-55%. Dried air will not benefit the plant, in winter it should be placed away from heating radiators.

Note! It is not recommended to spray with cold water

Top dressing

Fritium has a positive attitude to nutrition. Do not add organic matter. The best option would be during active vegetation once every 2-3 weeks to fertilize Fritia with special compounds for succulents.

The soil

Fritium is not demanding on soil. The substrate should be loose and pass moisture well. Suitable soil for succulents with the addition of small pebbles in a ratio of 1: 1 An interesting feature is that not only the root system should be immersed in the soil. The root neck and the lower part of the leaves of Fritia are covered with pebbles.

Pruning

Fritia is characterized by a molting process. At this time, fresh leaves form in place of the old drying out. Highly it is important not to remove old leaves, in winter they give moisture and nutrition to new ones. In summer, dried leaves can be carefully removed.

Breeding

Cuttings

Not a very popular breeding method. It is mainly used in cases where there is an adult, highly overgrown plant.

Old soil is removed from the rhizome, the roots are washed with water.
The roots should be dried for five hours.
The socket is neatly divided along with the rhizome.
The resulting material is planted in new pots.

Removing a certain number of roots with this method of propagation is the norm. During dormancy in Fritia, some of the roots die off.

Seeds

The most common way to get a new plant.

Landing is performed as follows:

Planting material is sown on the surface of the substrate, slightly sprinkled with soil and slightly moistened.
The container is covered on top with a large cap.
It is advisable to create temperature differences. 15-18 degrees at night, 28-30 in the afternoon.
In the first year of life, you do not need to stop watering for the winter period. Young plants do not hibernate.

Details of the reproduction and cultivation of "living stones", which include fritium, are described in our material.

Transfer

On a note. Fritia needs to be transplanted once every few years into a more spacious pot, if it grows very much. This must be done before the start of an active vegetation.

The main steps for transplanting Fritia:

Removing strictly earthen coma from the roots.
Roots should be washed under a stream of warm water and let them rest for 3-5 hours.
The substrate for transplantation should be moistened.
You need to plant the plant just below the level of the edge of the pot in order to organize the upper drainage (fill the root neck and lower leaves with pebbles).
After transplanting, the plant is placed in a warm place. From direct sunlight, the first time frit should be protected.
The first watering in a week. A very small amount of water (no more than a teaspoon) is poured into the pan. This stimulates root growth.
If the weather is cloudy, the transplanted plant is exposed.

Diseases and Pests

To prevent decay, you can not overmoisten the substrate. Especially in cool weather.

Fritia can be attacked by thrips and mealybug. To prevent this, twice a year, in spring and autumn, should be treated with appropriate insecticidal drugs.

Content difficulties

With unpretentious fritia, problems can arise during the period of its adaptation to home conditions, the plant will not begin to grow actively during the growing season, just dried up during hibernation. Therefore, it is better to acquire it in April, when the plant leaves the dormant period. When buying, it is better to opt for a large viable plant.

Among the variety of species of succulents, fritium, also called the "living stone", occupies a strong position. Thanks to her original look, every year she finds more and more responses in the hearts of lovers of extraordinary minimalism.