Sometimes in stores you can buy small succulent plants under the general name "mix succulents". Entire collections of small (and very inexpensive) succulents are displayed on one pallet tray: take whatever you want. But when you bring a new pet home, you want to know the name more precisely.
For example, these are the sentences:
If the name of the plant says "mix", as in this case, it means that the houseplant can be of different colors (and species).
Succulent mix. Choose yours!
Our latest acquisitions are a couple of these plants, whose names have been established thanks to help from people who understand succulents.
"Succulents mix", the names of which are to be determined.
Sometimes it can be difficult to determine the exact name, because many species are quite similar. For an adult plant, it is easier to see the difference, but when you have a very baby, there may be doubts.
For example, difficulties may arise when determining the type of fat woman.
For example, is this plant - Crassula Gollum, Hobbit or Coral? Apparently (see species comparison below) is gollum.
Crassula (fat woman) gollum (C. Gollum).
Fatty "Hobbit" (Crassula ovata Hobbit) and Crassula gollum (C. Gollum) are similar, but the hobbit has wider leaves and more ears, and the gollum has more tubes and sticks.
Hobbit or Gollum?
Crassula hobbit (C. Hobbit) and gollum (C. Gollum) are two similar hybrid varieties created in the 1970s in the United States, presumably by crossing Crassula Ovate and Molochnaya (C. Lactea).
Both species have original leaf shapes, in Hobbit they are turned outward and fused from base to middle, and in Gollum they are completely rolled up into a tube with funnel-shaped expanding tips (the so-called "Shrek's ears").
There is also a similar to them Crassula Coral (C. Coral, synonym for C. Skinny Fingers). Most of its leaves are stick-like, tapering towards the end, with funnel-shaped tips, as well as a powerful trunk and numerous lateral shoots.
Crassula mix, different plants.
And what is this second plant (from the first photo in the article)?
it Cooper's Adromiscus.
Adromischus (Adromischus), belongs to the family Crassulaceae. Originally from Southwest and South Africa. Very thick, barrel-like leaves with a wavy, speckled edge.
Cooper's Adromischus.
There is a species similar to it called cotyledon.
And that made the mix rejuvenated.
Plants from the succulent family have become very popular for growing at home. This is Crassula (otherwise - a fat woman). It is sometimes called the money tree, or the tree that brings happiness. However, this is only one type of Crassula, while other varieties look completely different. It fell in love with its interesting appearance (there are several types that are strikingly different from each other) and very easy care.
The plant does not require close attention to itself. Good lighting, moderate watering is necessary. It is not advisable to spray the foliage.
One of the advantages of the fat woman is that she is completely unpretentious. Due to its ability to accumulate the resulting liquid in the stem and leaves, nothing will happen to it if you forget to water it. It is also not worth overmoistening the soil, remember that this is primarily a succulent - a plant that came to us straight from the desert. This plant will definitely only decorate your home with its interesting appearance and will be an excellent addition to the design of any apartment.
However, the fact that Crassula is a picky plant does not mean that you do not need to care for it. Below you will learn how to properly maintain the plant, tips for care, and what to do if you find a pest.
Growing and caring
Choosing a soil and a suitable pot
In this regard, the plant is also not particularly whimsical. It is enough to choose the soil for growing cacti. Someone prefers to do it on their own. This requires coarse sand, charcoal, fine gravel. The soil environment must be necessarily slightly acidic and breathable. In order for the air to pass better, some put large stones on the bottom and only then begin to lay out the main soil.
Choose pots from wide and heavy shapes. The root system of the plant is small, so a flat pot is also suitable. There must be a hole at the bottom to drain the water.
When transplanting, you also do not need to know special rules. You just need to remember that it is better to overdry the plant than overmoisten it. Therefore, yes, you need to transplant Crassula into wet soil, but the main thing is not to overdo it with water.
Watering and spraying
You need to water the soil itself; the leaves do not need spraying. In winter, watering should be done once a month; in the warm season, water the plant about once every two weeks. The water should be at room temperature. If you forgot to water the jellyfish or do not remember when you did it the last time, pay attention to the leaves. If they are soft, it is time to water.
Lighting
There should be a lot of lighting. Again, since this is a desert plant, it is used to the abundance of the sun. Therefore, the most optimal place to place the plant will be the windowsill, where the fat woman can receive direct sunlight. In winter, when the abundance of sunlight is not so great, and more often than not it simply is not, use artificial lighting lamps. With insufficient illumination, the leaves lose their rich color, becoming simply green, the stems begin to stretch upward, thin out, and then simply break.
The plant tolerates winter well, so gardeners do not recommend placing it near batteries with central heating - it may dry out. In the summer, let the plant get used to the sun gradually. If you expose a young Crassula directly under the scorching sun, you may get burns (yellow spots on the leaves).
If you provide competent and careful care, Crassula may begin to bloom (this usually happens in plants aged 5-8 years). However, this happens quite rarely.
Plant formation
If you want not just to decorate the windowsill with another beautiful plant, but to make it a real work of art, you can start shaping the crown. It is quite difficult to do this, however, if desired, it is possible. In a young plant with four pairs of leaves, the next growing bud must be removed, from which two new ones will later grow. This means that the trunk starts branching.
If in place of the removed kidney only one grows again, remove it again. Then the same procedure is repeated when three pairs of leaves grow on the overgrown shoot (formed from the removed bud). If more pairs of leaves have grown, break off the extra pairs and wait for a new bud to emerge.
Pests and diseases
One of the most popular diseases among Crassulae is gray rot... It occurs due to too much watering. It is quite easy to stop it (if it is only at the stage of infection) - just stop watering the soil. If the stage of the disease is serious enough, rinse the roots, dry them and transplant them into new soil. Reduce watering, carefully monitor the condition of the plant.
In addition, the leaves may turn yellow or brown. Your plant may have become infected fungus... You need to deal with it in the same way as with gray rot (washing the roots, drying them, transplanting into new soil). In addition, fungicide treatment is possible. This is a fairly affordable type of chemical that can be found in any flower shop.
It also happens that the fat woman is affected by ordinary pests that are so familiar to us: and many others. In this case, the plant must be treated with chemicals, strictly according to the instructions and isolated from healthy plantings.
Reproduction and transplantation
The fat woman does not tolerate various types of transplants very well. After that, she may noticeably lose leaves, so be prepared for this waste. When transplanting Crassula into a new pot, remember that it must be wide and stable, since due to the weighty crown, the plant can fall or deviate to the sides.
Young plants need to change their pots about once a year, adults - at three years. This is in the event that you do not buy a capacity "for growth", but take, as they say, end-to-end.
Reproduction of the fat woman occurs with the help of seeds, cuttings and leaves.... In the first case, you get the opportunity to infect the plant and, in general, the process takes much longer than by cuttings or propagation with the help of leaves. It is necessary to cut off a young, healthy shoot and treat it with a stimulant to dissolve the roots. After that, you need to plant it in a small container, where a mixture of sand and peat will serve as soil. As soon as the root system is strengthened, the Crassula can be transplanted into a regular pot.
How to choose a plant in a store?
Pay attention to the appearance of the plant. Leaves should not be yellow, full of holes, too soft. Examine the soil carefully. Inspection before buying is important because this way you can spot pests and save yourself from buying a sick plant. Remember that pests can be found not only on the upper side of the leaf, but also on the lower part, on the stem and, naturally, on the soil.
It is worth paying attention to the environment of the plant. If sick plants are seen nearby, it is better not to acquire such a crassula.
Types and varieties
- Owatta... She is an oval crassula. The most popular type of plant, with proper care, it can grow up to three meters high. Leaves are oval, deep green, shiny. It grows very quickly, forming a crown is quite simple. If you have a tense situation with light in your apartment / house, pay attention to this view - it perfectly tolerates shade.
- The hobbit... This is probably the most unusual type of crassula. The leaves are turned inward, forming hard tubules. A very interesting fact is that this species grows on its own and does not need to form a crown. The Hobbit grows slowly.
- Buddha temple... A hybrid formed with the help of two types of Crassula. Very popular in the West. It is a narrow column on which the leaves are very densely located, thus creating a kind of square. Indeed, it is somewhat reminiscent of Buddhist temples, which is why this view earned its name. After a while, the trunk may begin to fall due to its own weight. Possible red flowers bloom at the top of the leaves. With the correct formation of the crown, the process of falling can be avoided.
- Mix... Differs in round leaves. This type is called the money tree. In terms of care, it is no different from the previous species, the only thing that can be noted is the independent formation of the crown. Of course, you can still tweak the natural shape to be thicker, but this is not necessary.
Crassula
Family- fatty.
Origin- South Africa.
The fat woman belongs to succulents, i.e. plants whose tissues are adapted to store water. Fat women - owners of thick stems and leaves. The leaves on the stem are arranged crosswise, oppositely. In some crassulae, the leaves are arranged so tightly to one another that they form dense rosettes.
Among the people, the fat woman has many names - most often it is called the money tree, occasionally - the coin tree. It is believed that a good, healthy, strong crassula on the windowsill promises well-being for the house.
Increasing family income. It is not difficult to grow it, it is an absolutely unpretentious plant that most of all needs abundant and regular watering.
Crassula blooms with small flowers, collected in inflorescences. The color of the petals is white, yellowish and pink, but not all types of flowers are fragrant. Leaves come in different shapes, lengths and colors, and the plants themselves, united by the common name "bastard", are visually quite different from each other. There are tall tree-like plants, and there are creeping, low ones, in which the leaves are collected in dense rosettes so that the stem is not visible.
We have already told you about other plants of the Fat family: it is widespread, (aka sedum), as well.
Types and photos of a fat woman
All types of fat women are divided into several categories depending on their appearance. Thus, tree-like, columnar and ground cover (creeping) crassulas are distinguished.
Crassula ovata, or oval crassula (Crassula ovata); Crassula portulacea Lam.- refers to tree-like fat women. It grows on average up to 60 cm in height, but the largest bushes can reach a height of 1 m. Stems and branches are densely branched and woody. The leaves of the fat woman are dense, thick, fleshy, in length they can reach 5 cm, and the width of the leaf is half that. The upper part of the leaf plate is green, the lower one is reddish. Some ovata may have green leaves bordered in red.
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Crassula Hobbit- one of the most common types of fat women; refers to treelike. Loved by flower growers for the unusual shape of the tubular leaves. Growing up, Crassula hobbit turns into a small tree with a lignified trunk. Just like other fat women, it needs to form a crown. The Hobbit is the cultivar of the fat woman Ovata.
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Crassula Sunset- another type of crassula ovata. It is appreciated for its variegated color: the red edging of the leaf is combined with stripes along the edge - white or yellow.
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Or rather - Crassula Buddha's Temple- completely unusual, like its name, plant. Erect columns with leaves tightly pressed against each other - this is what a typical representative of this type of fat women looks like. It grows very slowly. Needs very rare watering, until the soil dries out. The pot should be small.
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She is - Crosby Compact (Crassula minor, Crassula Crosby's Compact)- a compact variety of the ovata fat woman. Great for mini gardens.
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Crassula Coral, Crassula Skinny Fingers- a fat woman, outwardly very similar to a Crassula hobbit. Green leafy ears, relatively fast growth, the ability to make a bonsai out of it - this is what distinguishes the coral from other fat women.
Crassula perforata- another unusual type of fat women. Erect stems completely covered with leaves. With "maturation" the leaf changes color from yellow (young leaves) to green.
Crassula Gollum- another representative of fat women with tubular leaves. Gollum is the owner of tubules with a funnel-shaped extension at the tip.
Crassula lycopodioides, or Crassula muscosa, - a semi-shrub fat woman with creeping, square-shaped shoots. The leaves are small, tightly adjacent to each other, pointed in shape. Usually the color is dark green, but turns red in the sun.
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Crassula rock (Crassula rupestris Thunb.)- herbaceous fat woman with small leaves. Shoots are creeping or erect, in length can reach 60 cm.
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Caring for a fat woman at home
Temperature regime... In summer, fat women feel great in the fresh air - they can be taken out into the garden or onto the balcony.
Lighting... Miniature species, whose leaves are twisted into dense rosettes, love bright lighting and tolerate direct sunlight. But the columnar and tree species shade. For uniform growth of the plant, it is periodically turned in different directions to the light.
Watering... In summer, for compact species with dense rosettes of leaves, watering should be moderate. Columnar and treelike need abundant watering, albeit infrequently. With the onset of autumn and a decrease in temperature for all types, watering is reduced to once a week. If the plant hibernates in a cool room, then water it only after the earthen coma has completely dried out, one or two times a month is enough.
Top dressing... In summer - once every 10-14 days, alternately with mineral and organic fertilizers. For miniature species, the concentration of dressings should be lower than for other indoor plants. In the fall, with a decrease in temperature, fertilizing is applied less often.
Earth mixture... For crassula, a heavy soil mixture is used, while for ground cover, a mixture with a high sand content is used. The usual soil formula for a fat woman is as follows: 4 parts of heavy sod land and one part of deciduous soil, humus and sand. Crassulas do not need other additives.
Transfer... Fat women do not need a regular transplant. They are rarely transplanted, when the previous pot seems clearly small for the plant, but frequent transplants do not harm them. When transplanting, Crassula is not buried low into the ground; it is usually left at the same depth as the plant was before transplanting.
The correct pot for a fat woman is shallow, but relatively wide. The diameter of the pot should be approximately equal to the expected diameter of the crown of the plant for it to stand firmly.
Reproduction... As a rule, the propagation of the jellyfish by cuttings and leaves is used. This is a very simple method in which plants almost always take root and grow. No special conditions are required. A fallen leaf takes root easily. You can contribute to this: press the bottom of the leaf to the soil and water it from time to time.
For propagation of a fat woman at home, stem cuttings act as follows. Cuttings are cut and dried, and then planted in a sandy substrate or the above-described soil mixture. The first watering after planting is carried out in 2-3 days. Repeatedly and further, the cuttings are watered occasionally, in order to prevent the soil from drying out. Do not cover the cuttings of the bastard for rooting.
Crown formation... For the fat woman, popularly known as the "money tree", the most common species in indoor floriculture, crown formation is relevant. In order to get a stable, visually harmonious plant, you cannot do without manual tree formation.
The crown of the fat woman is formed by pinching. The optimal branch length is considered to be branching of 3-4 pairs of leaves. When a new kidney begins to appear, you need to pinch it off - manually or using tweezers. In the same way, pinch the top when the plant reaches the desired height.
Branches that are too long are also suitable for pruning. They are cut off after the fourth pair of leaves, and the cut is sprinkled with crushed activated carbon.
Possible problems when growing a fat woman
The leaves of the fat woman are falling- possibly insufficient watering. In this case, watering is increased, and diseased leaves are removed.
Plant dying after transplanting- most likely, the root collar was deepened into the soil.
They can be of various origins. If these are small dark specks that are easily scraped off by hand - most likely, we are dealing with a scabbard pest. Brown spots on the leaf blade may indicate over-watering.
Eva Casio specially for the site All about flowers
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Crassula ovata Gollum (Hobbit) is a variety form of a succulent plant from the Tolstyankov family. Crassula ovoid (oval). Crassulae (Crassulae) grow in arid and rocky areas, highlands of the Southern Hemisphere. Succulent plants store water "for the future" in their succulent shoots, thick leaf pulp.
Crassula Gollum (Hobbit) is a hybrid variety of the fat woman, bred by American breeders in the 70s of the twentieth century. Crassula ovata and crassula lacttea (dairy) are considered to be the basis for the new cultivar form. In general, the plants visually resemble the "classic" oval fat woman. At first, it is a shrub with succulent shoots, then, as it grows, the trunks and branches become lignified. It can be cultivated in the form of both a shrub and a tree. In nature, it grows up to 180 cm, but at home it can reach a height of 80 cm.
Differences from - primarily in the leaves. Crassula gollum (hobbit), they can be in two versions. In the first, the leaves are turned outward and have grown together from the base to the middle. The second option is characterized by complete accretion of leaves into tubes, which expand upward, like funnels. The tips of the leaves are green, often with a reddish tint. There are also variegated forms with various colors of fleshy juicy leaves.
These very decorative and attractive plants are easy to grow, they are unpretentious and do not need to create special conditions for successful development. Crassula ovata Gollum (Hobbit) blooms with small pinkish flowers gathered in inflorescences. Like other variations of Crassula Ovata, "hobbits" are able to live on the windowsill for a long time (two decades or longer), delight the owners and surprise guests.
Photo
Home care
| lighting | Needs enough bright and long-lasting daylight - at least a few hours a day. |
| temperature | From 20 to 25 degrees Celsius in spring and summer, when there is an active growing season. In the cold season, it needs wintering at 10-15 degrees Celsius. |
| location | Ideally placed on sunny windows (south, southwest, southeast). In summer, you can take it out to the balcony, to the courtyard. |
| watering | It is very important not to overflow, in spring and summer watering as the soil dries up, in winter - once a month or a little less often, focusing on the state of the plant (if the leaves dry up and wrinkle, extra watering is needed). |
| air humidity | Does not need special moisture conditions, this plant is native to arid hot regions. Spraying, wiping the leaves from dust is welcome. |
| feeding | A special fertilizer for cacti and succulents a couple of times a month during the active growing season. Best combined with watering. |
| the soil | The soil is not needed too nutritious, loose, well-drained. You can use commercially available cactus and succulent soil, or make your own mixture of turf, leafy soil, and sand. Add pieces of broken brick for drainage, a small amount of zeolite and charcoal to prevent root rot. |
| pruning | Pruning is done to shape the plant to your liking. You can simply prune the shoots to form a crown, or you can even radically cut the trunk of a young plant and grow a bonsai shape. |
Reproduction
Reference. Crassula ovata Gollum (Hobbit) reproduces in many ways: cuttings, leaves, aerial shoots, dividing the bush. Everything is in motion. A leaf that has accidentally broken off, cuttings left after pruning to form the desired crown shape - use them for plant propagation.
However, I must say that the simplest and most popular method is still grafting... Seeds are too long and difficult, the rooting of leaves also has its own specifics, but a stalk about ten centimeters long is what you need.
Dry the stalk slightly in the shade, then place it in a glass of water (add charcoal to avoid decay). When the roots appear, you can plant the plant in a small container with suitable soil. The little fat woman should receive enough light, and the soil needs to be moistened daily, unlike adult specimens.
Transfer
You can transplant a young Crassula once a year, each time slightly increasing the capacity. An adult plant is transplanted about once every three years or less.
Don't damage the delicate root system. The fat woman must be removed from the pot along with a lump of earth on the roots and, in this form, moved to a new container. If it is difficult to remove - knock on the bottom and sides of the pot. Do not get carried away with the volume when transplanting crassulas: they do not need very large and deep containers. It is better to take a relatively shallow pot with a diameter slightly larger than the plant itself.
Possible difficulties
Crassula gollum (hobbit) is an unpretentious and modest plant in needs. It grows rather slowly, rarely blooms (it may not bloom at all, if you do not carry out competently cold wintering).
- Crassula can suffer primarily from overflow. Therefore, here, as they say, less is better.
- Lack of sunlight can also negatively affect the condition of the plant. But burns from direct sunlight, if the fat woman spends the summer in the yard or on the balcony, is no better. We need to create a balance. Organize light shading if necessary.
- Crassula lactea. Crassula milky. One of the ancestors of the hybrid variety of the fat woman Ovata "Gollum (The Hobbit)". This species has only a hint of the coalescence of leaves a la "gollum" - they grow together at the base. The plant is small (up to 60 cm in height maximum). Delicate wide rounded leaves, white flowers - a very nice specimen for the collection of a succulent grower!
- Crassula portulacea. Crassula purslane. Also a popular succulent with elongated, obovate leaves on thick stems. Decorative and practically obligatory in the collection of homemade succulents of the genus fat women.
- Adromischus halesowensis. Adromiscus halesovensis. If you like an exotic, somewhat “alien” look of “gollums” (“hobbits”) and want something like this for a collection, then you will like adromiscus. Elongated, voluminous, glossy leaves stretching in different directions give this bush a peculiar, special charm.
- Peperomia graveolens. Peperomia graveolens. Cool plant with thick oblong leaves, as it were rolled into "boats". The shape is not everything: the leaves are green at the top and red at the bottom. The decorativeness is off scale!
- Hatiora salicornioides. Hatiora salicata. Epiphyte cactus. Its branchy green shoots resemble horns and look like cute "hobbit" leaves. If you like the Gollum Crassula and want something else in the collection in the same spirit, hatiora will definitely suit you.
Crassula ovata Gollum (Hobbit) is a truly non-standard variety with absolutely amazing leaves. Such plants look original, cute and touching at the same time. This unusualness, combined with the usual simple care measures for fat women, makes them very attractive for indoor gardening.
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Crassula "The Hobbit" was first presented by breeders in the middle of the last century, when R. Tolkien's famous work "The Lord of the Rings" was published. The plant received its unusual name in honor of the heroes of this book. Another name for the flower is "Shrek's ears". The plant is popularly called so because its thick leaves resemble the ears of the cartoon character of the same name.
Description
Crassula belongs to the plants of the bastard family. This is a fairly diverse species, which has about 300 varieties. Crassula "The Hobbit" is considered one of the most popular.
The plant is compact and has an average growth rate. Without crown molding, it rather resembles a bonsai, therefore it is often used as part of decorative compositions of several succulents. The leaves attract the attention of those around them with their shape and shade. The color of the leaves is rich, emerald green, often a reddish tint appears at the tips. With prolonged exposure to the sun, the coloring of the leaf plates on the back becomes crimson.
Blooming at home is quite rare., but if you create a comfortable habitat for Crassula, then even the oldest perennials can please with pink and white miniature flowers collected in inflorescences.
At home, the culture lives for a rather long time - more than 20 years.
Landing
When planting Crassula "Hobbit", special attention should be paid to the preparation of the substrate and the choice of the pot. You can pick up the soil mixture at the store. It is better to dwell on the composition intended for cacti and succulents. However, you can make the substrate yourself from the available components. You need to take:
- 1 part of sheet soil;
- 1 part river sand;
- 1 part turf.
All components can be assembled in an environmentally friendly location away from major roads and highways. It is also necessary to add a little crushed coal, zeolite and fine-grained expanded clay to the prepared mixture. All components must first be calcined on a baking sheet in the oven.- this will destroy the larvae of insect pests, as well as pathogens of fungal, viral and bacterial infections.
A drain must be placed on the bottom of the container; it must occupy at least a third of the pot. Usually use pebbles or expanded clay... This is very important, since stagnant water leads to waterlogging of the soil, and this has the most detrimental effect on the condition of the root system and leads to the shedding of leaves.
The root system of the Crassula is superficial, so it is better to choose a low, but wide and flat pot for the plant. It is in such a container that the fat woman will be as comfortable as possible. The diameter of the pot should be roughly the size of the crown. If it is less, then the roots will be cramped. If you take a larger pot, the Crassula will grow and develop very slowly.
Keep in mind that the mature plant is quite heavy. The pot must be stable to support the overgrown tree.
The container can be made of any material, but since the flower looks very impressive and resembles a bonsai, it will look best in a ceramic or clay container. If you wish, you can even pick up a special bonsai. Also, there is one important requirement for crassula pots - they must have several drainage holes to remove excess moisture from the substrate.
Care
When creating optimal conditions, Crassula will delight its owners for many years. The plant is very demanding for good lighting... The best place for it is the south or southwest window. In a shaded place, a succulent will also fully develop and grow if you put it in a well-lit place for a couple of hours a day.
However, be aware that with prolonged stay in the shade at Crassula "Hobbit" begin to stretch, and then fall off the leaves. In addition, the flower becomes faded and completely loses its decorative effect. In this case, it will be quite difficult to restore the appearance of the plant.
The optimal temperature for Crassula, like for all other fat women, is considered to be a background in the range of 20-25 degrees. In summer, the flower can be taken out to the balcony, terrace or veranda. In winter (during the rest period), the heating can be reduced to 10-15 degrees. In winter, the plant needs coolness, only in this case it will be able to give full bloom in spring or summer.
If there is no cold period, then you should not wait for the appearance of buds, such a plant will only increase the green mass.
Succulents, to which Crassula "The Hobbit" belongs, steadfastly tolerate short temperature fluctuations. They are able to withstand both sharp drops and rises, because this often happens in their natural habitat. The artificially bred varieties inherited this useful quality from their ancestors.
The humidity of the room has practically no significance for the culture. It tolerates well the dried air of the apartments of the metropolis, and the hot heat in the summer. However, a periodic warm shower will not harm a green pet - from this, the leaves will restore a glossy shine and bright color.
After the procedure, you need to gently shake the flower pot so that all drops of water roll off the leaf plates. The plant must dry out in the room. If you expose it to the sun, then water can cause burns on the surface of the leaves.
Pruning
If you intend to form a beautiful, spectacular crown, special attention should be paid to pruning... If you want to get a thickened trunk, then you need to trim the side shoots quite early. To give the crown the desired shape, the shoots should be regularly pinched and sifted out with a clean, almost sterile pruning shears. Places of cuts after the procedure should be sprinkled with activated charcoal.
You can even shape the crassula in a fantasy style, especially if you are growing the plant as part of a composition or as part of a mini-garden.
Watering
From October to the first ten days of March, it is not often necessary to water the Hobbit Crassula. This plant is native to desert and semi-desert areas, therefore it goes through a temporary drought quite easily... Succulents accumulate moisture reserves in the leaves, therefore, even if the plant for some reason is forgotten to water, it remains alive, although the elasticity of the leaves and loses.
During the period of active growth (in the warm season), it is necessary to water the green pet more often - once every 10-14 days, as the earthen coma dries out. The top layer of the substrate should dry by about 50%. If during this time the soil does not dry out, then the drainage should be checked: it is probably clogged and has ceased to allow excess moisture to pass through.
If high humidity is constantly maintained in the pot, then there will be a risk of damage to the jellyfish by fungal rot or mold. This can kill the plant in no time. For watering, you must use soft, settled water at room temperature. However, spring or filtered water may also work.
Transfer
From time to time Crassula "Hobbit" needs to be transplanted. Young plants are transplanted every year... The pot for each subsequent transplant should be 1-2 cm wider than the previous one. Adult plants are transplanted every three years, and only the earthen substrate requires replacement, the pot can be left the same. When transplanting, you should inspect the root system as carefully as possible, remove damaged roots and cut off too long, remembering to sprinkle the cuts with crushed coal.
Fertilizer
Any fat women need feeding. As a fertilizer, you can use ready-made store preparations created specifically for cacti and succulents. During the period of active growth (in summer, spring and autumn), fertilizing should be carried out twice a month, in winter they should be reduced or even removed altogether.
Other nuances
In case of violation of the rules of plant care some problems may appear.
- If the leaves remain soft even after watering, this directly indicates an excess of moisture. In this case, you should remove the crassula from the ground, cut off all rotten roots and rinse them under running water. Then the plant is transplanted into a new pot filled with fresh soil mixture and fertilized with carbendazim, after which it is left in a well-lit place and watered only after recovery. Please note that the light should be bright, but diffused.
- Twice a year of the fat woman change their foliage, so leaf fall can be caused by natural processes. If it is delayed, then, most likely, the plant does not have enough watering or it is moistened with too cold water.
- Cessation of flower growth can be associated with an attack by pests, but most often this happens when a crop is planted in a pot that is too small and narrow.
- Frequent falling trees occurs due to an incorrectly selected container. In this case, the root system cannot be located normally. To avoid injury to the plant, a heavy pot should be selected for it.
- The appearance of brown spots on leaf plates - a clear sign of a fungal infection. In this case, drastic measures are required using fungicidal preparations.
Reproduction
Crassula "The Hobbit" can be propagated in a variety of ways: leaf, cuttings, dividing the bush, as well as aerial roots... The seed method is often used, but this is a rather complex and lengthy process. The fact is that Crassula "The Hobbit" blooms quite rarely at home, so getting its seeds is not easy. However, they can be purchased at any specialty store.
The seeds are laid out on wet ground, lightly sprinkled with earth, covered with glass or plastic wrap (this is necessary in order to create a greenhouse effect). As soon as the seedlings appear, they should be transplanted into separate small pots.
The easiest way to reproduce is by cuttings. To do this, cut cuttings 8-10 cm in size from the branches, rinse them under running water until the release of juice stops, slightly dry them in natural conditions, remove the lower leaves and place them in a vessel with water, preferably adding a tablet of activated carbon there ( this will prevent rotting). As soon as the roots appear, the shoot can be transplanted into a container with soil for further rooting.