Conophytum turrigerum

The plant shown above is of Japanese origin and is one of the largest forms that I know. I normally like to see my conos grown rather hard and compact, but turrigerum is an exception and forms much more interesting angular bodies if given good soil and regular feeding. It has the honour of being the species that grows closest to Cape Town;  there is a very small form on Paarl Rock that I find impossible to grow. Most of the geology around Cape Town is sandstone, but there are intrusions of granite and it is these that the species seeks out. I find the larger forms such as ones from Perdeberg and Contreberg to be growable but not easy.