Selaginella kraussiana - Krauss's clubmoss is found growing mostly along streambanks, moist cliffs, at waterfalls, and along forest margins...
Selaginella kraussiana, also called as Krauss's clubmoss, Krauss' spikemoss, African clubmoss, Selaginella azorica, Selaginella canescens, is a species of the genus Selaginella. This species was described by Alexander Carl Heinrich Braun in 1860.
IDENTIFY SELAGINELLA KRAUSSIANA - KRAUSS'S CLUBMOSS
Selaginella kraussiana is native to Angola, Azores, Burundi, Cameroon,
Canary Island, Cape Provinces, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gulf of Guinea
Island, Kenya, KwaZulu-Natal, Madeira, Malawi, Mozambique, Northern Provinces,
Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zaïre, Zimbabwe. It
is found growing mostly along streambanks, moist cliffs, at waterfalls, and
along forest margins, but frequently also on the forest floor away from
water.
It is a low-growing, mat-forming evergreen perennial which reaching to just 5 cm high and 1-1.5 m spread with unequally branched, round or with shallow grooves, to 1 mm in diameter, glabrous stems. The leaves are pale green, herbaceous to thinly herbaceous, spaced or overlapping.
Krauss's clubmoss are not ferns or mosses, despite their name. They are spore plants and do not flower. The yellow spores are developed in short terminal spikes of sessile, solitary at the apex of secondary and lower order branches, to 17 mm long strobili.
SELAGINELLA KRAUSSIANA - KRAUSS'S CLUBMOSS CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Selaginella kraussiana is a shade-loving plant and prefer a sheltered spot in full or partial shade. The plants will, however, tolerate higher light intensities, but the soils must then be kept wet. When exposed to higher light intensities the plants tend to turn yellowish. In any case, make sure to keep the plant out of direct sunlight. Direct sunlight will hurt the plant and scorch its leaves. Artificial lights work very well.
Temperature:
Krauss's clubmoss can grow outdoor in USDA zone 11-12. When grow indoor, it prefers warm temperatures of 18-24 °C. If you grow this plant outdoor, be sure to bring them inside before frosts or any cold fronts in which temperatures drop below 5 °C. Avoid cold drafts and sudden temperature changes.
Humidity:
Selaginella kraussiana grow best with the humidity level of 50% - 80%. If the relative humidity drops below 50%, use a pebble tray or humidifier. It will thrive in almost any environment, but if you want to give it a special treat, gently mist it once or twice a week. It's best to mist your plant in the morning so the water has plenty of time to evaporate before evening.
Substrate and growing media:
Krauss's clubmoss can grow as houseplant, container plant, dish gardens or used in terrariums. The dense mat it forms makes it an option as a lawn alternative or use it in a rock or woodland garden that gets shade. It tolerates light foot traffic and is resistant to rabbit browsing.
The plant feels most comfortable in well-draining soils and can be cultivated under various conditions ranging from saturated clay soils to well-drained humus-rich soils, due to the weak and shallow root system of the plants. As far as soil pH goes, aim for either neutral or acidic soil. A soil pH of around 6 yields good results. Repot in spring when it outgrows its pot.
Watering:
Selaginella kraussiana requires that its soil is kept damp constantly, but with no standing water, it will not survive drought. It's a good idea to use a pot with a drainage hole to prevent root rot. Remember to always use room-temperature water for the plant. Cold water will shock your plant. Instead, opt for soft and lukewarm water, such as distilled water or rainwater. Also, opt for lime-free water as much as possible.
Fertilizer:
Krauss's clubmoss is not a heavy feeder. Feed the plant once a month from spring through fall. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength. Underfeeding is often not problematic while giving too much fertilizer may kill the plant.
Pruning:
Pruning is not generally necessary but you cam trim back to control the rapid spread of this plant. It’s best to prune your plant in spring to control the plant from spreading too much. Prune up to half of your plant if you want, as this is a fast grower that would fill out again. Do not throw the stem cuttings, as they would root easily and can be propagated.
Pests and diseases:
Selaginella kraussiana is generally pest and disease-free. However, you do need to watch out for crown rot, which is a fungal disease that would attack grassy weeds. This would cause deterioration and rot of tissue from the crown of your plant, which makes leaves turn yellow and collapse, eventually dying. Sometimes, the foliage would yellow, sometimes turning red or purple. You may be able to save your plant by cutting the affected bark and removing soil from the plant’s base down to its main roots, allowing its crown to dry. You may also try using a fungicide to prevent the disease. If the fungus has taken hold of your plant completely, the solutions are usually ineffective, and disposal is recommended.
Propagation:
Krauss's clubmoss is self-propagate from spores that are produced in the short terminal spikes in their natural habitat. However, if you wish to propagate the plant yourself, you can do so with stem cuttings or plant division in spring.
To divide the plant, you can remove it from its pot once it becomes root bound and separate the rhizomatous roots up into sections. Depending on the size of the plant, you could half it or divide it up into several new plants. Take the newly divided plants and pot them into appropriately sized containers with moist, fresh potting soil and continue care as normal.
To propagate with stem cuttings, you will need to take a cutting of around 4 inches and dip the cut end in rooting hormone. Prepare a small pot with moist growing medium and create a hole in it with the blunt end of a pencil. Tuck the stem cutting into the hole and set it in a warm position to root. When roots have formed, you can transplant the young plant to a larger pot or plant it directly in the ground outside.
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