Welwitschia

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Welwitschia is a living fossil native of the coastal center of the Namib desert in South Africa. It may reach more than 2000 years of age. Plants produce only two leaves throughout their life, which may become several meters long and are frayed by the wind at their end. The genus Welwitschia is monotypic, i.e. it consists of a single species only, namely Welwitschia mirabilis, which is related to coniferous plants. As plants develop a profound root system with a large main root, use deep pots for cultivation (e.g. pots especially designed for palms). The substrate should be completely inorganic, e.g. grit sand, crushed lava or the like.
Sow the quite large, papery like seeds flat at a minimum of some 22°C (lower temperatures around 12°C at night will support germination). Keep seedlings in a very sunny spot and water only sporadically from beneath. From their second year on, keep plants completely dry in winter at a minimum of some 15°C and under very sunny conditions.
All material descends from horticulturally propagated plants only.
7 seeds per package.

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Welwitschia mirabilis

100cm, Welwitschia makes only two, up to 4 m long and broad blackish green, slightly succulent leaves. Similar to the Gingko biloba tree, plants are either male or female and will flower under good conditions after some 20 years for the first time. Keep rather dry all year long in a very sunny spot at a minimum of 20°C.

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