Propagation
Sow fresh seed during spring and maintain a temperature of 18ş to 21ş C. (64ş to 75ş F).
Divide offsets during spring and place them in a well drained media and allow to the soil to drain away after watering. Plant out when large enough to handle.


Botanic information
Leaf: The thick fleshy blue to grey green broad ovate leaves are up to 115mm (4˝ in) wide and are armed with bright red-brown flattened, curved marginal spines that are up to 12mm (˝ in) long. The acute apex has a large pungent brownish spine up to 40mm (1? in) long and the overlapping leaves are arranged in a dense rosette.

Flower: There are 30-50 yellowish green funnelform flowers that are arranged in a dense umbel and are accompanied by large fleshy bracts that are up to 76mm (3in) long. The umbles in turn are arranged in a large pyramidal panicle with up to 25 flattened branches that is held high above the foliage on a scape that is 65mm (2˝) in diameter by 4m (12 ft) tall. They appear during early spring.

Note:
The flowers appear on older plants and attract humming birds, bats and bees and the plant dies off once the flowering period has finished.

Fruit: The capsule has a cuspidate apex and is up to 25mm (1 in) wide and appears in a dense cluster that is up to 150mm (6in) wide. The small flattened dark seeds are viable but the plant is commonly reproduced vegetatively.

Culture
Outdoor Cultivation
In warm regions with low humidity, cold and frosty night`s cacti and succulents grow well outdoors. The more humid atmosphere will limit the number of successful species. All of these plants require a very well drained soil andample sunlightto succeed. Once established these plants require minimal maintenance.

Indoor Cultivation
Cacti and succulents grow well in glasshouses or near a sunny window with some ventilation tolerating a marked difference in day and night temperatures.
Cacti have a rest period during mid winter when they can be stored in a cooler area with reduced watering, once every two months. Protect the plants from freezing temperatures or extreme direct hot sunlight behind glass. All plants prefer a period outdoors during summer.

Watering
These plants normally have wet and dry periods. Watering should take place during the growing period of the plant. When new growth appears water well once a week and never water if the soil is already wet or place the pot in a saucer of water. Free drainage is essential for a healthy plant and succulents rot easily in moist humid conditions.

Problems related to watering.
Overwatering succulents results in leaves that wilt and discolour or stems that rot.
Under-watering results in a sudden loss of leaves or brown and dry spots on the leaves. The leaves also fall if the water is too cold.

Pots
Both clay and plastic pots are suitable. The pot should fit the plant comfortably and not be too big as it may remain moist, rotting the plant. Water only when the soil has dried.
Re-pot only when necessary in to a slightly larger pot for older plants. If the plants are very large replenish the surface soil and thoroughly water.