Crassulais a genus of about 200 accepted specie of succulent plants in the familyCrassulaceae . They are aboriginal to many unlike parts of the world . However , the metal money grow by succulent lovers , more than 150 , are follow almost entirely from the Eastern Cape ofSouth Africa . Crassula ovata , commonly known as Jade Plant , is the most well - eff species and believably one of the most popular succulents . In plus to the species , there are legion attractive cultivar and hybrids .
Crassulawas first formally described by the illustrious Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753 as a genus with ten species .
The generic name " Crassula " deduce from the Latin " crassus , " meaning " thick , " and refers to the fleshy plump leaves .
Private garden, Riverside, California, United States. Photo by George Tabora. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
The genus phallus are annual or perennial , herbaceous or woody , and some have underground tubers . They vary in size and ontogeny habits . These succulent range from groundcovers to shrubs or small trees . Some of them are tag plant life , some have stem canker with harmonious leaves , and some of the annuals are aquatic plants . They have heavy leaves with interesting shapes and colourise and usually lovely , star - form bloom . genus Crassula are generally polycarpic plant life . Some species are monocarpic and go after they blossom .
Growing Conditions for Crassula
Crassula are among the most popularsucculentsto grow indoors and alfresco in gardens or containers .
Light
Crassulaplants favor full Sunday to partial shade . However , vivid good afternoon Sunday in the hottest summer canburn the leaf of the flora . A home with daybreak sun and good afternoon shade would be complete . ManyCrassulas will stress beautifully to shades of red , purple , pink , orange , or yellow in response to more sunlight . In low light , even the reddest plants will revert to park .
MostCrassulas can be grown indoors if have enough Christ Within . locate your plants in a window with at least 6 hour of unmediated sunshine .
Soil
genus Crassula are not particular about grunge pH but require very poriferous soil with excellent drain . Most of them will do well in flaxen or even rocky grease . Use commercial-grade potting soil mixes fate for role with succulents , ormix your own . In their home ground , Crassulaplants usually grow in rocky quartz fields .
Temperature
These succulent opt average summer temperature between 65 and 70 ºF ( 18 and 21 ºC ) ; in winter , cold to 50 ºF ( 10 ºC ) . MostCrassulas will endure some little - term freezing , but cold-blooded or warmth extreme will cause them to drop off leaf and die . The biggest challenge with out-of-door plant in winter is protecting them from temperature below 32 ºF ( 0 ºC ) . Most specie are grow outdoors inUSDA hardiness zones9a to 10b , 20 to 40 ° F ( -6.7 to 4.4 ° speed of light ) . However , elsewhere , you could bestow your pot plants indoors for the winter .
General Care for Crassula
Crassulas are gentle to like for as houseplants or in the garden . They are perfect flora for founder .
Watering
These works have typical lacrimation needs for succulents . Avoidoverwateringusing the " soak and teetotal " method acting , where the dirt is inebriate with piss , slowly run out , and left to dry out before watering again . cut down lacrimation in winter , as yourCrassulas can lose their source if the soil stick cold and loaded for extended time period . Too little piss may cause the low-toned leaves to fall off . In habitat , the farewell shrivel as plants thread on stored wet , then go when rainfall reelect .
Potted plant need more frequent lacrimation than those in the ground .
Fertilizing
Crassulas are slow - maturate succulents and do not call for much feeding . They will profit from a small amount of constitutional fertilizer in mid - spring when they start actively grow .
Repotting
ManyCrassulas do well in the same container and soil for many years — repot as ask , preferably in spring , at the beginning of the active growth period . Ensure the soil is dry before repotting , then gently remove the pot . rap away the honest-to-goodness soil from the solution and post the plant in a new or the same pot with a fresh potting soil mix . Leave yourCrassuladry for a week or so , then water light to prevent root waste in your industrial plant .
Pruning
Crassula can benefit from casual pruning to keep them hefty and compact . When plant start to get straggly or leggy , do not be afraid to cut them back . The pruning is best done in bound or after the blooming .
Crassula ovataandCrassula arborescens , include their cultivar , are popular for bonsai lovers . Many who learn bonsai begin withCrassula ovata .
How to Propagate Crassula
Crassulas are more often than not started by leaves or fore cut . They can also be grow from seeds and offsets .
Leaves
The easy way is to propagateCrassulas from a single leaf . Always take at least two leaves because not every folio you endeavor to propagate will grow a Modern plant . take a goodish leaf and gently polish off it from the industrial plant by twisting it from the stem . Allow the leaves to thickened for several days up to a week . off any leaf that starts to wither and give way . Place them on a well - drain grime mix and keep the soil slightly moist .
Stem Cuttings
The fastest way to get decent - sizedCrassulas is to grow them from fore cuttings . This generation method do work best with plant that have branches . This cognitive operation is most successful if done at the beginning of its dynamic growing full stop . take a healthy stem and absent it from the main works . Allow the cutting to callus for several days before placing it in a well - enfeeble soil mix . Water sparingly so the grime is only damp until the cutting direct root . After it has been rooted , you may treat it like a mature flora .
Offsets
PropagatingCrassulas with offsets is easy because the parent plant has already done most of the work for you . To divide the kickoff , brush away the topsoil until the roots are visible and gently pull them apart . lease the offshoot dry out for several 24-hour interval and place them in a well - draining grime mix .
Seeds
PropagatingCrassulas from seminal fluid is the slowest fashion to develop newfangled plants . Sow the seminal fluid in the spring or summer . They pullulate well at temperature below 70 ° ( 21 ° hundred ) . Do not cover these seed and other tiny seeds with a top layer . Avoid direct sunlight photograph . The seed ordinarily set out to germinate after 1 to 3 week . seedling can be transplanted to individual pots when they have at least three leaves .
Pests and Diseases of Crassula
Pests
The primary pestilence that attackCrassulas aremealybugs , spider mite , and aphids . Fortunately , they are relatively easy to control and prevent .
Diseases
Crassula are also susceptible to bacterial soft guff , powdery mildew , and black ring disease . These disease are easy to identify and can be treated or dealt with when discovered .
Toxicity of Crassula
Crassulaplants are generally nontoxic to people and pets .
Links
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