What is a Mesemb Marathon?

Marathon is a long-term event where we all sow seeds on the same day and observe the growth and development of the plants for at least a year, creating a unified community around this process. It is not just sowing, but an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the characteristics of this plant family through observation, comparison, and sharing experiences.

What seeds to sow in the Marathon?

The marathon does not define lists of seeds for sowing and does not impose restrictions on sources. What and in what quantity to sow is determined by each participant for themselves. The conditions for participation are as follows:

• Seeds must belong to the Aizoaceae family.;
• The sowing date must correspond to the agreed-upon date.;
• The sowing list has been entered into a common table for all participants..

Contestants

Before the start of the Marathon, among the most commonly encountered seeds of already registered participants, we select several species that we declare competitive. These species require special attention, and we carefully observe their growth. Participants who decide to take part in the competition must send photos of their seedlings at agreed intervals for inclusion in the summary table. Higher requirements may be imposed on these seedlings, which are specified for each Marathon individually.

Summarizing the results

The first results are summarized exactly one year after sowing. The best representatives in various categories are determined by voting, both among competitive and non-competitive seedlings. However, these results are preliminary. The moment of a plant's maturity can be considered its flowering. Therefore, the Marathon continues beyond that. The moment for summarizing the final results is determined within the framework of each individual Marathon.

Our philosophy

We do not pursue commercial interests; our goal is to observe the development of plants, share experiences, and promote the hobby. Therefore, we strive to create a friendly atmosphere, as well as a technical and theoretical foundation. We also value accuracy, precision, and punctuality, which will make the collected materials not only interesting but also useful for scientific communities.

Where the Marathon takes place and how to join

Currently, the Marathon takes place on Telegram in one of the threads of the `Клуб любителей живых камней`. To join, please follow the appropriate link on the Marathon page.