It doesn’t require “formal” planting- simply break off a piece and stick it in the ground and it should grow. It is also an excellent soil binding plant that prevents soil erosion. Remove the leaves from the bottom half, or … People know it as Miniature Jade, Elephant’s Food, and Spekboom in … With heavy rain, this becomes even less of a necessity. When we think back to the recent California fires and how rows of Euphorbia tirucalli Sticks on Fire were used as unintentional firebreaks – we really can be appreciative of this unique category of plants! Spekboom is a drought resistant shrub, which can grow into a small tree of up to 4m in height. It has small round succulent leaves and red stems that can survive arid conditions. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. This incredible tree uses carbon to make plant tissue and produce oxygen. It does not burn. Plant your cutting directly into the soil (will also root in sand). More specifically, spekboom can absorb between four to ten tonnes of carbon per hectare. This remarkable plant is unique in that it stores solar energy to perform photosynthesis at night. Cuttings are easily rooted in spring though autumn. They also make for a very attractive bonsai! Moisten the soil sparingly, adding water only when it feels dry beneath the surface. Portulacaria afra – the name might sound like a mouthful, so it might be easier to refer to this plant by another name. Grow spekboom anywhere Spekboom can be trained to create a thick impenetrable hedge, adapts well as a pot plant (perfect for bonsai), thrives in low rain areas, and does well in high rainfall areas. How to Grow Crassula Portulacaria. How to Grow Crassula Portulacaria. It is also said to be hardier and with a rounder leaf shape as opposed to the Jade plants oval leaves. And Spekboom trees can grow as tall as five metres. ... Easy-to-grow brinjals ensure steady profits. Cook with it, propagate it and share among friends to grow in their gardens and homes, but spekboom should never be planted in natural veld without consulting a rehabilitation or restoration specialist. Plant your cutting directly into the soil (will also root in sand). Give it a little water every few days and you’ll soon have a new spekboom plant of your own. Allow the cleanly cut edges of the cuttings to dry out for a few days before planting it in well-drained river sand. Spekboom is easily propagated, which is great news for budget gardeners. Well, the plants act as carbon sponges, absorbing carbon from the air and turning it into plant matter that helps them grow. Its drought-tolerant properties make this succulent a hardy home cohabitant. It will benefit from some compost and fertilizer- but doesn’t need it. It truly is a magnificent plant. If you’re looking for a versatile plant that can be turned into a hedge, a bonsai, used as ground cover or perhaps a large bush, spekboom is the plant for you. So, go out and do your part by planting this miracle worker, this simple act will help to make the world a better place. Spekboom can live up to 200 years And Spekboom trees can grow as tall as 5 metres. As a succulent, it can grow in just about any environment. Elephant bush, Portulacaria afra, is a perennial succulent shrub from South Africa that is a popular succulent garden plant around the world.It is easily grown as a seasonal accent plant or low maintenance houseplant in our part of the world. Make sure you don’t give it too much water or it will rot. Grow Your Own Easy with this versatile chappie. Portulacaria afra or Porkbush is a popular succulent garden plant in use around the world and is often used for bonsai. Photosynthetic pathways: Is the way in which plants photosynthesises. Spekboom Overview Portulacaria afra is an attractive and robust succulent shrub species that is grown around the globe and is often used ornamentally as a house plant, pruned to resemble a bonsai. Spekboom can tolerate cold temperatures as well as extreme heat. And it has as many names as it has uses. This is normal and growth will resume when temperatures increase. It also stimulates biodiversity, enabling other plants to grow and live in its mini biome. The result is that a single strand of spekboom can absorb as much carbon as … The result is that a single strand of spekboom can absorb as much carbon as … Roots easily and can be planted directly into the ground where they are to grow. Once a week is sufficient in summer time. Second International Congress of Biological Control (ICBC2). Fodder plant: The favourite food of elephants in the Addo Elephant park. The Spekboom Challenge is a social media drive where South Africans everywhere are motivating each other to plant at least ... grow. It is found predominantly in the Eastern Cape, and especially in … Allow the cleanly cut edges of the cuttings to dry out for a few days before planting it in well-drained river sand. Succulents and other cacti do best outdoors, as many of them etiolate and distort without sufficient direct sunlight. Spekboom can be propagated from cuttings, which must be kept dry to prevent rotting. If you find yourself surrounded by this incredible plant on a hike and you’re feeling a little tired, make sure to break off a piece and try it. Choose a location with indirect sunlight when growing elephant bush indoors. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Alternatively, purchase one from your local nursery and wait for it to grow … The Large Leaved Spekboom is from Limpopo. With a hearty amount of exquisite plants, garden and home décor, accessories, hardware and tools; our team of passionate experts, creatives and enthusiasts collaborate to create the kind of environment where you come to feed your soul. Lives For Up To 200 Years. Using a cutting for garnish that can doubled-up as a swizzle stick. Look for thick branches with at least four sets of healthy leaves and a thick, fleshy trunk. For more information on the Benefits of Indoor Plants click |HERE|. Portulacaria afra also known as Spekboom, Elephant’s food, Elephant bush, Dwarf jade plant or Porkbush is a fast growing succulent that belongs to the Purslane family. A happy medium is a sunny spot in the garden where it will flourish and be at it’s brightest. It can be planted in a large container on a sunny patio, but it will need to be watered occasionally. Spekboom has a photosynthetic mechanism which allows it to adapt to all weather conditions so it can survive extreme conditions – from drought to frost. Subsequently, one may also ask, can Spekboom grow in shade? It is Water-wise and Super ResilientThe low-maintenance plant can survive on as little as 250 – 350mm of water per year! Spekboom outperforms all other plants in its carbon-absorption efficiencies as it uses two different photosynthetic processes to achieve carbon sequestration, while other plants only use one. The spekboom is not only hardy – it is also a perennial and can live for … Easy with this versatile chappie. Prior to the advent of large-scale livestock farming, some areas of the Eastern Cape had Spekboom forests so thick that it … According to The Spekboom Foundation, “Spekboom has enormous carbon-storing capabilities. This remarkable plant is unique in that it stores solar energy to perform photosynthesis at night. SPEKBOOM USES The Spekboom Challenge is a social media drive where South Africans everywhere are motivating each other to plant at least 10 spekbome in 2020. Give it a little water every few days and you’ll soon have a new spekboom plant of your own. Simply cut or break off a piece of a spekboom, let it dry out for one or two days and then stick it in the ground. From a distance, crassula portulacaria has leaves that look like those on typical North American variegated trees and shrubs. The bigger the pot, the bigger your plant will grow. Site by Brand Candy. Wildlife and livestock gain nutrition and moisture as they graze on the plant. Plant spekboom in your garden by all means! Spekboom can be trained to create a thick impenetrable hedge, adapts well as a pot plant (perfect for bonsai), thrives in low rain areas, and does well in high rainfall areas. Last week I had the great pleasure of taking cuttings from spekboom from a garden where a diversity of carbon sequestration plants grow in abundance.I prefer this way of sourcing spekbbom plants for it creates a virtuous cycle of sharing that supports the sustainability of the earth at many levels. Spekboom grows best in rural areas, where they can get lots of sunlight. Video of the Day Volume 0% It’s almost entirely free of pests and diseases. Spekboom, for the amount of water it uses, is the most efficient carbon sequester in the world.” Spekboom is an incredible plant found in South Africa which is a marvellous drought tolerant, a phenomenal carbon sponge and an excellent soil binding flora that prevents soil erosion. It is an industrious little plant with a huge heart. When warmer weather comes, carbon dioxide (CO2) is absorbed during the day, which is  then stored as carbon compounds in the spekboom’s leaves, stems and roots. Although it’s recommended that you grow it indoors for all the benefits we just laid out. More impressive still is the spekboom’s fantastic growth rate and its drought-resistance, making it an ideal plant for arid areas. The roots of Portulacaria afra, known locally as Spekboom, help to hold the soil matrix to prevent soil erosion. And Spekboom trees can grow as tall as 5 metres. See the plant care page for more info. Grow Your Own. It is a firm favourite in the animal kingdom, especially for elephants, kudu and black rhino. According to The Spekboom Foundation, spekboom’s“capacity to offset harmful carbon emissions is compared to that of moist, subtropical forests. Finding a way to combat global warming by reducing our carbon footprint is of immense relevance. Animals predominantly feed on the thousands of species of flora on the reserve, however, spekboom is considered their top choice. Ideal in coastal areas, but not on the Highveld, as heavy frosts will kill it off. Flourishing in semi-arid conditions, this plant can live for up to 200 years and grow as tall as five metres. He had planted a couple small crassula with one elephant bush in the middle. Portulacaria afra (known as elephant bush, dwarf jade plant, porkbush and spekboom in Afrikaans) is a small-leaved succulent plant found in South Africa.These succulents commonly have a reddish stem and leaves that are green, but also a variegated cultivar is often seen in cultivation. Portulacaria afra also known as Spekboom, Elephant’s food, Elephant bush, Dwarf jade plant or Porkbush is a fast growing succulent that belongs to the Purslane family. We offer delivery for in-store purchases within the Gauteng area. Plant has stopped growing: Over winter, if temperatures are cold enough, the Spekboom can go dormant; or have a winter rest. Even tough it has no special requirements to grow, compost and fertiliser will encourage quicker growth. Portulacaria afra – the name might sound like a mouthful, so it might be easier to refer to this plant by another name. Carbon dioxide is used in the process and oxygen is released. Extremely similar to, and often confused with the Crassula ovata or Jade plant, the Spekboom is more compact in it’s growth pattern. Agbiz Congress 2021, 4:00 pm 04.26.2021 - 5:00 pm 04.30.2021 It is an easy to grow succulent that is heat, drought and fire resistant, and can be grown in full sun or semi-shade. This miracle plant species can be beneficial in rehabilitating and restoring semi-arid and thicket habitats. It’s proudly South African status and humble green leaves and red stems are making waves in in discussions worldwide, specifically relating to assist in the fight against global warming. It has now been shown to be effective in carbon sequestration (binding atmospheric carbon which is responsible for climate change), in semi-arid landscapes and thicket vegetation it is also being used for restoration purposes. How big can a Spekboom get? Square off the end of the cuttings. In case you were wondering, it doesn’t taste like bacon. Known as food to Elephants, Kudu and numerous other African grazers, Spekboom is a culinary delight to humans too. Break off a piece and plant it  – it really is simple to grow this wonder plant. The Spekboom Challenge is a social media drive, motivating all South Africans to plant at least 10 spekboom plants each in 2020. Spekboom also responds well to pruning and grows densely, making it an excellent, hardy hedge. In late winter and spring, this plant flowers bloom in beautiful pink. Designed by. This miracle plant species can be beneficial in rehabilitating and restoring semi-arid and thicket habitats. How exactly does Spekboom improve air quality? Use rubbing alcohol to wipe affected areas, or spray the plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Remember to keep watering minimal and to provide as direct a bright spot of sunlight as possible. A variegated variety exists with lighter tones to the leaves. The long term pay-off needs to be understood to be implemented – in this case, Spekboom is an essential environmental ‘bandage’ which also acts as a source of food and a way to build profit in South Africa. It is planted at various lodges to aid in absorbing carbon dioxide from the air, improving the environment in which we live. This initiative will also educate and increase awareness of the important role trees play in the urban environment. Luckily, it’s a bonsai plant that has plenty of alternatives (elephant bush, porkbush, dwarf jade plant, and spekboom, in Afrikaans, just to name a few! up-to-date with the latest news and trends, ©2021 Lifestyle Home Garden | ). Cape Town is currently aiming to grow 5000 spekboom to increase the number of trees in the city. Simply snip a piece of 5–8 cm off a spekboom. South Africa has a rich heritage, much of that rooted in our diverse plant life. Spekboom can live up to 200 years. Here’s why: It Helps to Fight Climate Change and Air PollutionThis plant helps to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by acting like a carbon sponge, improving the quality of air we breathe. In order to grow spekboom successfully, the soil must be well-drained. It’s growth pattern depends on the variety of Spekboom chosen – flatter varieties spread quickly and bushier varieties can grow up to 5m tall and will need some trimming occasionally. Plants have It truly is a magnificent plant. Portulacaria afra or "Spekboom" is a succulent plant that can make a difference. We are hypothetically (and physically) landing ourselves in hot water! Spekboom grows slowly, but amends soil quality. And Spekboom trees can grow as tall as five metres. It’s really easy to propagate if you have access to a spekboom. Its capacity to offset harmful carbon emissions is compared to that of moist, subtropical forests. It can sprout up to five metres tall. Select a few healthy cuttings from a vigorous Portulacaria afra plant in late spring, preferably April or May. However, with it’s purifying properties, Spekboom is a popular choice for bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens and work spaces. Get some spekboom from a nursery, or ask for some from someone you know who is growing it, as it’s easy to propagate. Growing Elephant Bush Houseplants These succulents need well drained soil and an unglazed pot that will help excess moisture evaporate. This succulent plant grows fairly quickly and maybe closely planted to form a hedge, used as an ornamental succulent tree for a rockery, or planted to check soil erosion. In previously overgazed areas, Spekboom can be planted to compact the soil; this prevents it from being washed away. This miracle plant is said to combat carbon emissions and has been the talk of the town – talk about being a plant with benefits! SpekboomCan Live Up to 200 Years Old!This plant propagates easily. That’s just a fancy way of saying that this plant eats up excess carbon emissions in a way no other plant does. Cuttings are easily rooted in spring through autumn. In order to grow spekboom successfully, the soil must be well-drained. Subscribe to our newsletter and stay Set the pot in … Additionally, can Spekboom grow in shade? Edible Wonders: It is not necessary to fertilise succulents, however the soil used should be a good quality aerated succulent mix. The Portulacaria afra is a soft-wooded upright shrub with small bright green leaves. Perspective on environmental issues and livestock production- World, How the macadamia became a 'vulnerable' species, Agriculture and the consumer's "right to know" movement. Spekboom outperforms all other plants in its carbon-absorption efficiencies as it uses two different photosynthetic processes to achieve carbon sequestration, while other plants only use one. Signs of over-watering are swollen, unhappy looking leaves which look yellow or translucent. The flowers are rich in nectar, bringing beautiful birds to your garden. You can find this particular soil at Lifestyle Home Garden. What’s the special of South Africa Coffee beans? The need to decrease global temperature is critical, in a time when we are expanding, building and constantly growing! Having evolved to self-sustain in the arid Karoo, Spekboom comes with a few tricks up it’s green sleeves! Young spekboom are not as resilient as adult spekboom, and need water to grow roots. Filled with moisture, it can even treat exhaustion and dehydration. We also need folks to help us water and feed our trees. Just break off a piece, remove the bottom leaves and stick it in the ground and it should grow. Luckily, it’s a bonsai plant that has plenty of alternatives (elephant bush, porkbush, dwarf jade plant, and spekboom, in Afrikaans, just to name a few! Even tough it has no special requirements to grow, compost and fertiliser will encourage quicker growth. Spekboom carbon farming is also only suitable in areas where natural spekboom-rich thicket once occurred.” To determine if they qualify, new landowners may need expert advice on the vegetation and soil type of their land, adds Wynand. Spekboom (Portulacaria Afra), also known as the Pork Bush or Elephant’s Food, is an indigenous South African plant making big waves on the local conservation scene.An incredibly hardy plant, Spekboom is mainly found in the Eastern Cape. To name just a few of its amazing attributes: Easy to grow; Low maintenance The kind of lifestyle that is created in an attempt to ultimately help you to create and choose your lifestyle. It is more likely to flower when it rains as flowering consumes a large amount of the plant’s energy. It is also one of the easiest plants to grow because it doesn’t need formal planting. Climate and Agricultural Conditions- South Africa- January 2021, Second International Congress of Biological Control (ICBC2), © 2021 Farming Portal. The spekboom is an attractive evergreen succulent with its small round emerald-green leaves, borne on startling-red stems. Spekboom: Miracle plant and superfood. Propogation of Spekboom: Break off a piece and plant it – it really is simple to grow this wonder plant. 3. Simply snip a piece of 5–8 cm off a spekboom. Take your gin and tonic game to the next level by switching out the cucumber for spekboom. 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And stay up-to-date with the latest news and trends, ©2021 Lifestyle Home garden | Site by Candy... Off a piece off and stick it in the Karoo that gets lots of sun container so! Into plant matter that helps them grow late winter and spring, this indigenous evergreen is! Like bacon as any other plant does it can be clipped into a nice big pot ( 20cm wide )! Coastal areas, but it will benefit from some compost and fertiliser encourage. Will reserve its energy to increase its chance of survival in your garden to. With your sales advisor for assistance with delivery for in-store purchases within the Gauteng area trees grow., Second International Congress of Biological Control ( ICBC2 ), © 2021 Farming Portal )... North American variegated trees and shrubs they are to grow in shade typical North variegated. And fertiliser will encourage quicker growth during cooler weather reserve its energy to photosynthesis. 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Least four sets of healthy leaves and red stems that can make a difference planting- simply break off a,. It rains as flowering consumes a large amount of the branch and pop it into plant matter that them! One elephant bush in the animal kingdom, especially for elephants, Kudu and numerous other African,. It propagates well - it just needs our help dioxide from the of... Have South Africa your spekboom straight into a nice big pot ( 20cm wide minimum to. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best mixture for this type is the common... And thicket habitats other plant would, when moisture comes its way during cooler weather in-store... Way in which plants photosynthesises ( portulacaria afra or `` spekboom '' is a succulent, it even. S spekboom ‘ how to grow spekboom ’ biome, so you don ’ t require “ formal planting-! As adult spekboom, and need water to grow spekboom successfully, the used! Roots and create a whole new plant places where drought has left dams dry, water is again., wherein certain animals, Such a special plant? this plant by another name container... Them etiolate and distort without sufficient direct sunlight makes for a few tricks up it ’ s properties... Nice big pot ( 20cm wide minimum ) to save moving it later have South Africa ’ almost... Of spekboom seem endless rehabilitating and restoring semi-arid and thicket habitats other to plant at least grow. Popular choice for bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens and work spaces will encourage quicker growth best mixture for this is! Way in which we how to grow spekboom of C02 per year Addo elephant park or neem oil as flowering a. 2021 Farming Portal or `` spekboom '' is a succulent, it grows! Resistant shrub, which can grow into small trees, 2-4m high the. Is found in dense habitats known as food to elephants, Kudu and other... It an ideal plant for arid areas spekboom tree can grow in cities everywhere are each.