Origin:
A mutation of Aeonium ‘Mardi Gras’.
Known names:
Aeonium ‘Black King Kong’ (the most widely used name), ‘Moya’, ‘Mo Ya’, 墨娅 (Mòyà), 黑金刚 / 黑金剛 (Hēi Jīngāng), 黑金刚法师 / 黑金剛法師.
Creation / commercialization date:
This cultivar began appearing in 2020 in China.
History and origin of Aeonium ‘Black King Kong’
Aeonium ‘Black King Kong’ is a mutation of Aeonium ‘Mardi Gras’, one of the most important cultivars in the recent history of variegated Aeoniums.
Aeonium ‘Mardi Gras’ is itself a hybrid renowned for its lemon-yellow, green and burgundy tricolor variegation. It has given rise to a very large number of mutations and selections in recent years.
‘Black King Kong’ represents a particularly spectacular development of this palette. Like many mutations of ‘Mardi Gras’, its coloration is not fixed: its appearance can change considerably according to light, temperature and season.
This is one of the main reasons for its success among collectors.
Botanical description
Aeonium ‘Black King Kong’ is a shrubby variegated Aeonium that generally forms a small branching shrub bearing terminal rosettes.
It can reach approximately 30 cm in height, although some mature specimens may become larger with age.
The leaves are fleshy, relatively broad and arranged in rosettes. Their coloration is naturally one of the cultivar’s main attractions.
The plant may display three main color families at the same time:
- green;
- yellow to cream;
- pink, red, purple and sometimes almost black.
This combination gives it a particularly dynamic appearance.
Coloration that changes throughout the year
One of the most remarkable characteristics of ‘Black King Kong’ is its extraordinary seasonal development.
During winter, when light levels are lower, the leaves generally display:
- a green central band;
- cream-yellow margins;
- and gradually developing pink or red tones along the edges.
Red often appears first on the upper part of the leaves before spreading toward the lower zones.
As light levels increase, this coloration gradually becomes much more intense.
The margins may then develop shades ranging from:
pink → red → burgundy → purple
while the central green area gradually darkens.
On strongly colored specimens, this central area may become very dark, almost black, giving the cultivar its name.
Why does ‘Black King Kong’ change its appearance so dramatically?
This transformation is not unusual among variegated Aeoniums, but it is particularly spectacular in this cultivar.
Light intensity plays a major role in pigment expression. Strong light generally encourages red and dark coloration, while lower exposure tends to preserve more green and yellow.
Temperature also contributes to this development.
A photograph should therefore never be regarded as a permanent representation of the cultivar: two photographs taken several months apart may appear to show two different Aeoniums.
A relatively compact morphology
Unlike some shrubby Aeoniums that quickly develop long stems, ‘Black King Kong’ generally retains a relatively compact, branching habit.
The rosettes develop at the ends of the branches and the plant can gradually form a small cluster of rosettes. They may reach 20 to 30 cm in diameter.
Growth and offset production
Available observations indicate a moderate growth rate, comparable to that of many variegated Aeoniums derived from ‘Mardi Gras’.
Its capacity to produce offsets is also moderate.
With age and under good growing conditions, however, the plant can form a small shrub composed of several rosettes.
It should be remembered that an Aeonium’s growth rate varies greatly with the season. Aeoniums are mainly active during mild periods and may slow considerably during episodes of extreme heat.
Good tolerance of sun and heat
‘Black King Kong’ appears to show good tolerance of light and heat, particularly compared with certain forms containing very little chlorophyll.
This characteristic is especially valuable in a variegated Aeonium displaying so many dark pigments.
A distinction must nevertheless be made between strong light and scorching sun.
Good light is necessary to produce the finest colors, but protection from afternoon sun may be beneficial during heatwaves.
A plant that must remain protected from frost
Like all Aeoniums, ‘Black King Kong’ remains sensitive to frost.
In France, permanent outdoor cultivation in the ground can therefore only be considered in areas with a very mild winter climate and no significant frost.
In most regions, growing it in a pot makes it easy to shelter during cold periods.
Be careful during summer dormancy
Like many Aeoniums, ‘Black King Kong’ may slow its growth considerably when temperatures become very high.
The plant may then:
- reduce its vegetative activity;
- close its rosettes slightly;
- lose some outer leaves;
- and temporarily change its appearance.
This phenomenon is a normal response to difficult summer conditions and should not automatically be interpreted as a sign of disease.
WINTER PHOTOS
SUMMER PHOTOS
DIFFERENT MUTATIONS OF BLACK KING KONG
The appeal of ‘Black King Kong’ extends beyond the cultivar itself.
Several forms or mutations are associated with it in Asian collections, including:
Aeonium ‘Red King Kong’
A form displaying particularly pronounced red coloration, also known by the Chinese name 红金刚.
Aeonium ‘Yellow King Kong’
A form in which yellow tones become much more prominent.
Aeonium ‘Spark Bang’ (‘Dark Orchid’)
This plant is presented as a mutation of ‘Black King Kong’ and is also known as ‘Junior Sister’ and 墨兰, depending on the available sources.
These different mutations demonstrate how interesting the ‘Black King Kong’ lineage is for collectors.
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