Baby Sun Rose

[Becky15349]

Hi all!

I know this isn't an orchid, but its just so cute, and its growing in my apartment in a wine glass of water, so I had to share it with you :-) I think its called a Baby Sun Rose...this is its first bloom of the season. The tiny blooms are about the size of a dime.

[clintdawley]

Very nice picture. I haven't seen this plant before. Do you know the genus name?

[Becky15349]

Sure! Its an Aptenia cordifolia

[Elena]

Gosh, I used to grow those as a kid Mine had pale pink flowers.

[JUDIUK]

I would love to have one! Judi x

[Molly Taco]

It is a wonderful bloom, Does it like sun? What is the growth habit?
Cin

[sadie]

Very nice! And it just grows in a glass of water? No pot, no dirt, no sphag no bark -- none of the other crazy connoctions we create for the orchids?

[Becky15349]

Hahahaha, these postings made me laugh!

I'm certain that the Baby Sun Rose would grow for you all. This particular plant of mine is a cutting I (carefully) took from Ibiza, Spain when I was there last July, and I've been keeping it ever since in my NY apartment :-)

The plant is a full sun, and *loves* to grow when its given lots of it! Its habit is prostrate; i.e., it is used as a groundcover vine in the landscaping around the hotels in Spain. I've also heard that it is sold at stores in California. Since early march, its been growing at least an inch a week sitting in my east-facing windowsill. However, I've read that this plant is supposedly an arid-loving plant, so I definitely don't overwater it- I only water it once its completely dry; somewhat like the orchids. I think the orchids and the Baby Sun Rose compliment each other well :-)

I actually only thought of keeping the plant in water because while I was in Ibiza, I visited a small outdoor restaurant for lunch one day, and each table in the restaurant had small bowls of this plant growing in it, flowering happily and growing roots as if it were in soil. I said, I have to have some of this plant! Thus, its currently thriving in my apartment :-)

I'd be more than willing to share some cuttings, if anyone would like some. Just PM me! Lest it be known, however, that these little guys bloom constantly....they're not nearly as fulfilling as getting an orchid to flower ;-)

~B