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. As a succulent, it can grow in just about any environment. 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. Moisten the soil sparingly, adding water only when it feels dry beneath the surface. Video of the Day Volume 0% Measure 5 or 6 inches from the tip of the branch and make a 45-degree angle cut using pruning shears. Set the pot in a warm, bright location out of direct sun. Cape Town is currently aiming to grow 5000 spekboom to increase the number of trees in the city. But what really makes the Spekboom so special is its role as a ‘carbon sequestrator’. Plant has stopped growing: Over winter, if temperatures are cold enough, the Spekboom can go dormant; or have a winter rest. It is also an excellent soil binding plant that prevents soil erosion. Break off a piece and plant it  – it really is simple to grow this wonder plant. 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. Spekboom is easily propagated, which is great news for budget gardeners. Perspective on environmental issues and livestock production- World, How the macadamia became a 'vulnerable' species, Agriculture and the consumer's "right to know" movement. How big can a Spekboom get? It can sprout up to five metres tall. At Shamwari’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, the two elephants in our care absolutely love spekboom. It is an easy to grow succulent that is heat, drought and fire resistant, and can be grown in full sun or semi-shade. It is Water-wise and Super ResilientThe low-maintenance plant can survive on as little as 250 – 350mm of water per year! 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. This miracle plant species can be beneficial in rehabilitating and restoring semi-arid and thicket habitats. Even better, Spekboom is easy to grow. Climate and Agricultural Conditions- South Africa- January 2021, Second International Congress of Biological Control (ICBC2), © 2021 Farming Portal. At the time, it was maybe 6″ tall at the top, with a … A happy medium is a sunny spot in the garden where it will flourish and be at it’s brightest. ). Prior to the advent of large-scale livestock farming, some areas of the Eastern Cape had Spekboom forests so thick that it was said a grown human could walk across the top as if walking on a carpet.Spekboom propagates very easily, and a broken-off branch can quickly grow roots and create a … Plant spekboom in your garden by all means! Signs of over-watering are swollen, unhappy looking leaves which look yellow or translucent. See the plant care page for more info. Types of spekboom. It also stimulates biodiversity, enabling other plants to grow and live in its mini biome. People know it as Miniature Jade, Elephant’s Food, and Spekboom in … 4:00 pm 04.07.2021 - 5:00 pm 04.09.2021 It truly is a magnificent plant. “Planting trees is a vital part of the efforts by the City’s Recreation and Parks Department for Cape Town to be recognised as an Urban Forest. You can add fertiliser and compost if you’d like to. It can take root and regrow, just from simple cuttings from existing trees. It will quickly begin to root and grow. Square off the end of the cuttings. Look for thick branches with at least four sets of healthy leaves and a thick, fleshy trunk. Alternatively, purchase one from your local nursery and wait for it to grow … 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! In case you were wondering, it doesn’t taste like bacon. ... Easy-to-grow brinjals ensure steady profits. Finding a way to combat global warming by reducing our carbon footprint is of immense relevance. 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! The spekboom is not only hardy – it is also a perennial and can live for … 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. Roots easily and can be planted directly into the ground where they are to grow. More specifically, spekboom can absorb between four to ten tonnes of carbon per hectare. Cuttings can be taken in the normal manner (about 10-15cm, remove bottom leaves), allow to … The result is that a single strand of spekboom can absorb as much carbon as … A broken branch tossed onto the ground by a grazing elephant will grow roots and create a whole new plant. Succulents and other cacti do best outdoors, as many of them etiolate and distort without sufficient direct sunlight. Find a very informative article |HERE| about how Spekboom could change South Africa’s land, economy and ecosystem, and influence climate change reversal. Recently took a cutting from a beautiful 3m x 3m x 3m Spekboom plant in the Karoo. It is an industrious little plant with a huge heart. It has small round succulent leaves and red stems that can survive arid conditions. Agbiz Congress 2021, 4:00 pm 04.26.2021 - 5:00 pm 04.30.2021 More impressive still is the spekboom’s fantastic growth rate and its drought-resistance, making it an ideal plant for arid areas. Want one of these in your garden? To name just a few of its amazing attributes: Easy to grow; Low maintenance This makes a spekboom thicket 10 times more effective per hectare at carbon fixing than any tropical rainforest.”. It will benefit from some compost and fertilizer- but doesn’t need it. Cuttings are easily rooted in spring though autumn. What Makes Spekboom Such a Special Plant?This plant is vital to our ecosystem for several reasons. And it has as many names as it has uses. Choose a location with indirect sunlight when growing elephant bush indoors. 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. Cuttings are easily rooted in spring though autumn. Give it a little water every few days and you’ll soon have a new spekboom plant of your own. Our Planet currently has carbon dioxide levels of 400 parts per million – an incredibly high level- in fact the highest level in 3 million years. From a distance, crassula portulacaria has leaves that look like those on typical North American variegated trees and shrubs. Spekboom is indigenous to the Eastern Cape but it can grow anywhere where it gets sun. And the growing stands of elephant bush combat global warming. 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. It’s really easy to propagate if you have access to a spekboom. Propogation of Spekboom: Break off a piece and plant it – it really is simple to grow this wonder plant. Cuttings are easily rooted in spring through autumn. 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. Blue Chalk Sticks (Senecio ficoides) Blue Chalk Sticks is another sculptural South African succulent … This initiative will also educate and increase awareness of the important role trees play in the urban environment. 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. Subscribe to our newsletter and stay They also make for a very attractive bonsai! Spekboom can tolerate cold temperatures as well as extreme heat. And Spekboom trees can grow as tall as five metres. This miracle plant species can be beneficial in rehabilitating and restoring semi-arid and thicket habitats. The best mixture for this type of plant is cactus soil or potting soil cut by half with sand, vermiculite or pumice. Talk about a plant for the planet. SpekboomCan Live Up to 200 Years Old!This plant propagates easily. 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. By the way, if you’re keen to get your hands dirty, they’re looking for volunteers: We have 120,000 spekboom trees to plant so we need all the help we can get. Second International Congress of Biological Control (ICBC2). Even tough it has no special requirements to grow, compost and fertiliser will encourage quicker growth. In order to grow spekboom successfully, the soil must be well-drained. Spekboom grows best in rural areas, where they can get lots of sunlight. To name just a few of its amazing attributes: Easy to grow; Low maintenance Well, the plants act as carbon sponges, absorbing carbon from the air and turning it into plant matter that helps them grow. The Spekboom Challenge is a social media drive, motivating all South Africans to plant at least 10 spekboom plants each in 2020. 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. In order to grow spekboom successfully, the soil must be well-drained. From that, the idea to have South Africa’s first labyrinth made entirely from spekboom grew. “Spekboom is an amazing plant. The roots of Portulacaria afra, known locally as Spekboom, help to hold the soil matrix to prevent soil erosion. You can find this particular soil at Lifestyle Home Garden. Take your gin and tonic game to the next level by switching out the cucumber for spekboom. This Proudly South African Plant is Easy to GrowFirstly, this indigenous evergreen plant is found predominantly in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Even tough it has no special requirements to grow, compost and fertiliser will encourage quicker growth. 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. It is found predominantly in the Eastern Cape, and especially in … Portulacaria afra – the name might sound like a mouthful, so it might be easier to refer to this plant by another name. This is normal and growth will resume when temperatures increase. Grow spekboom anywhere. Spekboom plants are well-known for their air-purifying qualities, and this is one of the main reasons that people are trying to plant more of them. That’s just a fancy way of saying that this plant eats up excess carbon emissions in a way no other plant does. It absorbs 4 tonnes of C02 per year per hectare. Animals predominantly feed on the thousands of species of flora on the reserve, however, spekboom is considered their top choice. In late winter and spring, this plant flowers bloom in beautiful pink. Why One Side of Your Nose Always Feels More Congested Than the Other, Chilling facts about land expropriation without compensation laws that President Ramaphosa has promised to push in 2021, New Competition for Aspiring Agri Writers in South Africa. Please enquire at our inside information desk or with your sales advisor for assistance with delivery for in-store purchases. And Spekboom trees can grow as tall as 5 metres. 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. Make sure to look out for the unassuming spekboom during your next visit to Shamwari Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. And Spekboom trees can grow as tall as five metres. ). 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’s“capacity to offset harmful carbon emissions is compared to that of moist, subtropical forests. Filled with moisture, it can even treat exhaustion and dehydration. Having evolved to self-sustain in the arid Karoo, Spekboom comes with a few tricks up it’s green sleeves! The spekboom is an attractive evergreen succulent with its small round emerald-green leaves, borne on startling-red stems. The flowers lure insects and birds from afar because of its nectar. If you want to infuse the spekboom taste into the mix, pick some leaves and cut them in half before dropping into your glass. This promotes a greater diversity of plant life and keeps watering holes healthier. This miracle plant is said to combat carbon emissions and has been the talk of the town – talk about being a plant with benefits! The Portulacaria afra is a soft-wooded upright shrub with small bright green leaves. Carbon dioxide is used in the process and oxygen is released. Spekboom has a non-invasive root system making it ideal for pots and containers. Simply snip a piece of 5–8 cm off a spekboom. It is also one of the easiest plants to grow because it doesn’t need formal planting. Spekboom (Portulacaria afra) is endemic to the Eastern Cape’s Spekboom ‘thicket’ biome. 3. Set the pot in … 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. They relish the juicy leaves that the tree provides. This incredible tree uses carbon to make plant tissue and produce oxygen. It is a firm favourite in the animal kingdom, especially for elephants, kudu and black rhino. Designed by. 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. We also need folks to help us water and feed our trees. Additionally, can Spekboom grow in shade? Flourishing in semi-arid conditions, this plant can live for up to 200 years and grow as tall as five metres. Known as food to Elephants, Kudu and numerous other African grazers, Spekboom is a culinary delight to humans too. It is High in Basic NutrientsThis plant is edible and high in nutrients, especially Vitamin C, and a perfect addition to a salad. Allow the cleanly cut edges of the cuttings to dry out for a few days before planting it in well-drained river sand. Ideal in coastal areas, but not on the Highveld, as heavy frosts will kill it off. Make sure you don’t give it too much water or it will rot. Spekboom: Miracle plant and superfood. It’s time to discuss Portulacaria afra or Spekboom, which also goes by the name Pork Bush or Elephants Food. Even tough it has no special requirements to grow, compost and fertiliser will encourage quicker growth. 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. Remove the leaves from the bottom half, or … Spekboom has a photosynthetic mechanism which allows it to adapt to all weather conditions so it can survive extreme conditions – from drought to frost. Spekboom is a great tool to tackle climate change. Effectively, Spekboom should be planted en-masse on a global scale to start to reduce carbon dioxide levels. With heavy rain, this becomes even less of a necessity. Can you work with businesses? It photosynthesises as any other plant would, when moisture comes its way during cooler weather. Although it’s recommended that you grow it indoors for all the benefits we just laid out. Excess carbon in the air is responsible for global warming so plant more spekboom to fight climate change! Spekboom is easily propagated, which is great news for budget gardeners. A few years after he was first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, my Dad gave me a bowl of succulents. Edible Wonders: Easy with this versatile chappie. Spekboom is beautiful when it is in full bloom; the noticeable rosy flowers cover the succulent in a sea of pink. This drought tolerant plant can survive both moderate frost and extreme heat, both of which it encounters in abundance in it’s natural habitat – the vast dry slopes of the Karoo in South Africa. From a distance, crassula portulacaria has leaves that look like those on typical North American variegated trees and shrubs. According to The Spekboom Foundation, “Spekboom has enormous carbon-storing capabilities. What’s the special of South Africa Coffee beans? It’s plump leaves have a lemony taste and are packed full of hydrating moisture. This remarkable plant is unique in that it stores solar energy to perform photosynthesis at night. Indoors or outdoors suit it just fine. It is also said to be hardier and with a rounder leaf shape as opposed to the Jade plants oval leaves. Known for its medicinal uses, and remarkable carbon sequestering properties, the applications of Spekboom seem endless. Spekbooms can grow into small trees, 2-4m high in the right conditions. Below you'll find detailed instructions on … Goats also find it delicious. 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. 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