ICE Plant

 

 

 

There are about 135 varieties and under them, 1900 species of ice plants.

Originally discovered in the dry and barren South Africa’s mountains, they thrived better in sandy soil.

In addition to leaves, their flowers are also edible.

 

Beautiful plants grown by Dr. Wilson Wong, creator of Green Culture Facebook group.

 

 

We re-studied ice plants again during the Covid 19 heighten alert stay home measures in October 2021

Our first experience was in 2017 with more pitfalls than joy!

 

 

2021 Journey

Instead of using chill, we use light and moist environment to force adaption early.

Seeds were sowed on August 23 and they germinate 4 days later.

Germination Tip – Slightly moist instead of wet medium

 

 

Seedlings should be planted apart and set with leaves above moist medium.

 

 

Allow plants to adapt to morning sun and heat straight away.

 

 

It was observed at this stage, the leaves weaken when there’s too much heat or too close to other plants.

Thus they were removed from window side to an environment where there is more light than heat.

 

 

 

2017 First Experience

The first ice plants’ journey started on December 30, 2017, when seeds were discovered in our freezer’s cabinet.

Surprisingly the seeds germinated very fast, in fact only 19 hours, using strawberry germination method.

They germinated on January 1, 2018, and the success rate was very good, almost 100%.

 

 

 

 

Transplanted on January 08 to sandy medium, will hope they grow well!

 

 

I have given up on soil medium as my seedlings tend to wilt after a day in the natural environment.

A member of our gardening group, Ms. Vivien Misaki, had better luck by refrigerating seedlings in soil and “green housed” in a ziplock bag.

Her tip was to mist it once a day and not over water them.

 

TIP – BEST SET IN PERMANENT INDIVIDUAL POT AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE

 

 

My seedlings also grew better in controlled “still” environment of an egg carton, rather than outside.

These young seedlings cannot tolerate sun, wind, or transplanting, as most died soon after.

I will likely keep them wrapped in this unlikely greenhouse (egg carton) until they are more mature.

 

TIP – LIGHT OR NO FERTILISER

 

 

 

 

 

When the seedlings had 2 sets of leaves, they were removed from egg carton into individual PET bottle greenhouse.

Shield against the wind, in the heat of greenhouses, they seem to grow faster.

Without this shield, seedlings will wilt even with good roots mass.

They were placed in an area with morning sun and bright afternoon light.

 

TIP – PROTECTED ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUNG SEEDLINGS

 

 

It is warmer in this “greenhouse” than in the natural environment.

Air is allowed through a slit at the base of the cover.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FRAGILE LEAVES AND STEMS

From our hydro plants’ observation, they seem fragile and needed support, including leaves and stem.

Both break easily upon handling.

 

 

 

 

To prevent damaging mature plants through handling, a suggestion was made by Mr. Kia Kuang Tan to seed directly in the permanent pot.

In addition, discourage tall plants by bringing grow lights closer.

This way, the plants will need not stretch towards light source weakening the stem.

 

 

Our ice plants were observed to droop often in the natural environment, unprotected from elements like the wind.

Thus they continued in our PET bottle  “greenhouses” to support leaves in a more upright position.

 

 

 

NOTES ON ICE PLANT

Just Germinated Seedling to  2 months old – 

Young seedlings are unable to tolerate wind and direct sun. Need to be green housed or in controlled environment

Transplant early to individual permanent pot

Slow growing

 

Mature Plant Notes

Tolerate full Sun (observed to cause some stress on too warm days)

Try to maintain cooler roots zone for a healthier plant

Drought tolerant

Prefers dry hard-packed medium – more sand, perlite

Leaves and stem need support

Flowers are edible

Thick and succulent leaves with salt crystals

Market price in Singapore – $160 + per KG (2017)