Orbea Gigantea (Stapelia)

Water:

April-September: 1 x every 2 weeks*

October-March: 1x per month *

*This is only for a sunny location

Light: sunny

Nutrition: 1x per month (May-September)

The Stapelia Gigantea is one of the largest among the Stapelia species. In nature, the Stapelia Gigantea occurs in South Africa and Zambia. Here the Stapelia Gigantea grows in sandy dry areas, often in the shade of other plants. The stems of the Stapelia Gigantea can grow up to 30 cm long and regularly branch from the bottom of the trunk. This allows the Stapelia Gigantea to grow over the years into a large cluster of up to 1 meter wide.

The Stapelia Gigantea does not have spines. The trunks are covered with many small transparent hairs, just like the Orbea Leendertiziae. This makes the Stapelia Gigantea feel very soft when you stroke it.

This Stapelia species was not given the second name Gigantea because of its large stems, but because of its beautiful large flowers. These grow from the side of the stems in the autumn period. At first they look like small buds, but when the flowers unfold you see the beautiful star-shaped flower. The flower of the Stapelia Gigantea is light yellow in color with small red wavy lines on it. The flowers of the Stapelia Gigantea can grow up to 25 cm. Unfortunately, they don't smell very nice. The flowers of the Stapelia Gigantea smell like rotting meat. In this way they attract flies, which in turn ensure the pollination and survival of this Stapelia species.