Orbea schweinfurthii Stapelia Starfish Flower – Collection No. 57

Orbea schweinfurthii is a low-growing stapeliad with slender, mottled stems that spread across the surface of the pot. It produces small golden-orange, star-shaped flowers covered with fine reddish markings.

The flowers have a mild scent compared with many larger Stapelia flowers.

Plant Supplied

You will receive an established plant of Orbea schweinfurthii growing in a 66 mm pot. The plant photographs show the current stock. The flower photograph shows the mature bloom for identification and reference. Plants are not necessarily supplied in flower.

Important Shipping Information

This species is extremely shallow-rooted and is almost certain to come out of its pot during transport.

Although your plant will be dispatched in a pot, please treat it as being sent effectively bare-rooted. Customers should expect the plant to arrive loose, outside the pot or with the potting mix disturbed. This can happen despite careful packing and does not mean the plant is unhealthy.

The stems are also brittle and may separate during transport. Please be prepared to repot the main plant and pot any healthy stems that detach.

Place the plant onto a dry, free-draining succulent mix and gently press the shallow stems into position. Allow detached stems to dry and seal before potting them. Do not water immediately after repotting or planting detached pieces.

If the plant arrives crushed, soft, blackened or with extensive damage beyond normal movement and stem separation, please photograph it immediately and contact us.

Care

• Light: Bright filtered light or gentle morning sun. Protect from harsh afternoon sun.
• Water: Water when the mix has dried during active growth. Keep considerably drier during cold or dormant periods.
• Temperature: Warm-growing. Protect from frost and prolonged cold, wet conditions.
• Media: Use a gritty, very free-draining succulent mix.
• Fertiliser: Apply a diluted, low-nitrogen fertiliser during active growth.

Key Characteristics

• Botanical name: Orbea schweinfurthii
• Collection number: 57
• Common group: Stapelia or Starfish Flower
• Flower colour: Golden-orange with fine reddish markings
• Flower shape: Small, five-pointed star
• Smell rating: Mild
• Growth habit: Low, spreading and clump-forming
• Root system: Extremely shallow
• Pot size: 66 mm