I've recently started collecting succulent, cacti, and plants that are strange and unusual. A prehistoric plant certainly felt like it met these requirements, so when I received one of these about a month ago, I thought it would be great! After doing some research, I feel like I have no idea what I'm doing and would love some assistance!
I've repotted my Welwitschia (in what I'm now thinking is way too shallow of a pot) and I'm not sure what I should do to ensure it thrives at this point… I have it located outside in zone 10a within my outdoor living space (its protected from the scorching overhead Florida sun, but it gets tons of indirect bright light). Despite being partially protected from the rays, The 2 smaller leaves are getting very crispy.
Should I risk trying to repot it into a deeper pot, or give it a year to avoid shock? Any tips or tricks to ensure I dont unalive this unique specimen?
by VeraciousVixenXo
2 Comments
UC Davis has good tips on growing them. They’re on reddit too.
I’ve had mine outside in Southern California for a couple years. It usually gets full sun but this year I put 20% shade cloth over the growing area mostly for the cacti. I do think you likely need a taller pot. Mine got knocked over and ripped out of the pot multiple times by squirrels and so far is oo so I think repotting will be fine. They do like more water than you would assume, just make sure it’s in a really fast draining mix that is mostly inorganic.
Edit to add that those two small “crispy” leaves are normal. Those are the seed leaves and they dry up and fall off. The two green leaves are the important ones and are the only ones it will grow.