Japanese name: レウィシア Scientific name:Lewisia cotyledon
[Overview]
A perennial about 10 cm tall.
There are basal leaves and stem leaves; the basal leaves grow radially to form a rosette, are oblanceolate to spatulate, 5–10 cm long and 1–2 cm wide, and fleshy.
The stem leaves are few and alternate on the flower stalk, oblong to ovate and about 0.5–1 cm long.
Several flowers 2–4 cm across are borne at the tip of the flower stalk.
There are 7–10 petals, and the flower color is mainly pink but varies widely.
The petals usually have stripes.
The bracts are almost the same shape as the stem leaves, obovate to lanceolate and about 0.2–0.4 cm long.
The fruit is a capsule.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained, well-ventilated place.
It dislikes heat and humidity.
Place pots on a shelf or similar so air can reach the bottom, and move them out of the rain during long rainy spells.
Take care not to overwater; water only after the soil in the pot has dried completely, pouring from the edge of the pot so that water does not collect in the center of the rosette.
In spring and autumn, give liquid fertilizer.
After flowering, cut the flower stalk off at the base.
Soft rot can occur.
