Crassula FALCATA

Crassula FALCATA - Propeller plant, Sickle-leaved crassula, Crassula falcata, Crassula PERFOLIATA 'FALCATA'.

Crassula, also known as stonecrop or jade plant, is a large genus of succulents in the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae). The botanical and common names convey the same meaning: 'crassus' in Latin means 'thick', referring to the fleshy leaves and stems. Most species originate from Africa, some from Australia and Tasmania, where the plants occupy rocky slopes, and certain species even wetland areas.

The genus is very diverse: among crassulas there are annuals and perennials, herbs, small shrubs, and near-arboreal forms. They live for 10-15 years, and often even longer. In tree-like species, the smooth trunk eventually reaches 30 cm (12 in) across and two meters (6.6 ft) in height. The leaves are opposite, fleshy, thickened toward the middle, most often elliptical and glossy.

The flowers are small, star-shaped, white, cream, or pinkish, gathered in corymbose or capitate inflorescences. Under indoor conditions, most species bloom infrequently. The fruit is a follicle cluster with very fine seeds.

Crassula falcata is a species from the south of South Africa: it grows from the Groot Winterhoek Mountains in the Western Cape Province and the vicinity of Gqeberha to Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. Modern taxonomy considers it a variety of perfoliate crassula and lists it under the name Crassula PERFOLIATA 'FALCATA'.

The leaves are sickle-curved, thick, velvety gray-green, sitting in overlapping pairs along a usually unbranched stem and twisted relative to one another in such a way that they resemble propeller blades - hence the English name propeller plant. In summer, the plant produces dense corymbose inflorescences of numerous bright orange-red flowers with a distinct cinnamon aroma.

Crassula seeds are very fine, almost dust-like, maturing in dry follicle clusters. Soaking such seeds is impractical, so the substrate itself is sanitized: before sowing, it is drenched with a weak solution of potassium permanganate and dried slightly. Scarification and stratification are not required.

Sowing is carried out in a shallow container on the surface, into a sandy substrate, the seeds previously mixed with the upper layer of sand. The sowing is moistened from a spray bottle with a growth stimulant solution: SUPERthrive, HB-101, Aminozol, Epin, or Zircon, covered with glass or film or placed in a greenhouse, and germinated in the light at a temperature of 17-21 °C (63-70 °F).

Under favorable conditions, the first seedlings appear within 1-2 weeks, the main germination is completed within a month, and individual seeds may delay longer. Sowings are regularly aired; both waterlogging and drying out are unacceptable. The cover is removed after seedlings emerge. Pricking out is performed after the formation of 2-3 true leaves, into individual small pots. Obtaining crassula seeds in home conditions is impossible.

Special notes: Seeds are very (!) fine.

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Crassula tolerates direct sunlight well and needs bright lighting year-round, regardless of the dormant period. With insufficient light, the stems pale and stretch, and the leaves become smaller. At home, southern and southeastern windows suit it well, and in summer open air as well.

In spring and summer, the optimal temperature is 21-25 °C (70-77 °F), in winter 10-15 °C (50-59 °F), but it should not be lowered below 8 °C (46 °F). In extreme heat the plant can drop leaves; in the cold, roots rot.

From spring to autumn, watering is abundant, once or twice a week, after the upper layer of the substrate has dried out. From autumn to spring, watering is reduced to once or twice a month, and at temperatures below 12 °C (54 °F) it is stopped completely. Air humidity is of no importance to crassula, except that during the heating season it is better not to keep it near radiators. The plant needs regular room ventilation and periodic wiping of leaves with a damp cloth or a hygienic shower.

The crassula is undemanding regarding substrate and grows wonderfully in a mixture of equal parts turf loam, humus, and sand with the addition of charcoal pieces. A layer of drainage is placed at the bottom of the pot.

Fertilizer is applied during the warm season, once a month, using liquid fertilizer for cacti and succulents.

Young plants are repotted annually into shallow pots: the root system of crassula is weakly developed. Mature specimens are repotted as necessary, once every 2-3 years when roots become cramped, into a mixture of equal parts turf loam, leaf soil, humus, peat, and sand. For bushiness, the crown is pinched. Crassula is rarely affected by pests.