Stapelia grandiflora ‘Compacta’ Starfish Flower – Collection No. 83

Stapelia grandiflora ‘Compacta’ is a distinctive stapeliad grown for its upright, angular stems and spectacular star-shaped flowers. The stems remain comparatively compact and can develop attractive pink or bronze colouring around their edges when grown in brighter light.

The large flowers are dusky pink to reddish burgundy, with fine pale markings and long white hairs around their margins. Like many Stapelia flowers, they produce a noticeable carrion-like scent intended to attract pollinating flies.

Plant Supplied

You will receive an established plant of Stapelia grandiflora ‘Compacta’ 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

These plants are extremely brittle. Please purchase expecting the plant to move, come out of its pot or have some stems detach during transport.

Although your plant will be dispatched in a pot, it should be treated as effectively bare-rooted during delivery. Stapelia and related stapeliads have fleshy stems and relatively shallow root systems. Disturbed potting mix, a loose plant or detached stems can occur despite careful packing.

Please be prepared to reposition or repot the main plant and to pot any healthy stems that detach. Allow detached stems to dry and seal before placing them into a dry, free-draining succulent mix. Do not immediately water freshly detached stems.

This is a normal characteristic of these plants and does not generally affect their health. However, if your plant arrives crushed, soft, blackened or with extensive damage, please photograph it immediately and contact us.

Care

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

Key Characteristics

• Botanical name: Stapelia grandiflora ‘Compacta’
• Collection number: 83
• Common group: Stapelia or Starfish Flower
• Flower colour: Dusky pink to reddish burgundy
• Flower form: Large five-pointed star with pale markings and long marginal hairs
• Smell rating: Strong
• Growth habit: Upright, branching and clump-forming
• Stem colour: Green with pink, bronze or reddish edging under brighter conditions
• Pot size: 66 mm