Crassula MESEMBRIANTHEMOPSIS

Crassula MESEMBRIANTHEMOPSIS - Mesemb-like crassula, Crassula mesembrianthemopsis.

Crassula is a very fascinating succulent plant. The genus received its familiar common name "jade plant" or "money plant" thanks to its thick leaves and stems, and indeed, translated from Latin, "Crassula" means "thick". Most representatives are native to Africa, some to Australia and the island of Tasmania. In nature, it grows in wetlands and on rocky slopes. There are many perennial and annual varieties, both herbaceous and growing in the form of shrubs. They live 10–15 years, but older specimens can also be found.

It grows quickly, and within a short time the smooth trunk of the plant can reach 30 cm (12 in) in diameter and 2 meters (6.6 ft) in height. Situated on solitary or clustered (with age tree-like) shoots are opposite fleshy (thickened toward the middle) leaves of a glossy bright green color in an ellipse shape. Solitary inconspicuous white flowers open on a peduncle in the form of a subumbel. In domestic conditions, it blooms extremely rarely.

Crassula is very popular in domestic floriculture thanks to its decorative appeal, fairly rapid growth, and unpretentiousness. In addition, many beliefs and legends are associated with it. The plant looks very impressive both individually in a separate planter and in compositions with cacti and other succulents. Some species can be grown in bonsai style.

Mesemb-like crassula is a perennial plant with a very short stem - up to 2.5 cm (1.0 in) long - forming one or more leaf rosettes from the base. The leaves are gray-blue, wedge-shaped, 1–2 cm (0.4–0.8 in) long, 0.3–0.6 cm (0.1–0.2 in) wide, truncate at the apex and covered with fine rounded papillae. The flowers are 5–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long, white or cream-colored, gathered in a compact terminal inflorescence. Native to Southern and Southwestern Africa, where this species inhabits lower mountain slopes on poor or heavy soils.

Seeds are sown into a shallow container superficially into a sandy substrate, pre-mixed with its top layer. They are moistened with a spray bottle, covered with glass or film, and germinated in light at a temperature of 17–21 °C (63–70 °F). Seedlings require ventilation. Overwatering and drying out of the sowings must be avoided. The cover is removed after seedlings emerge. After two or three leaves appear, the seedlings are repotted into individual pots. Obtaining seeds at home is not possible.

Special notes: Seeds are very (!) fine.

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Crassula is an easy-care plant. It tolerates direct sunlight well and, regardless of the winter dormancy period, requires bright lighting year-round. When light is insufficient, the plant's stems pale and stretch, and the leaves become smaller. In the house, it thrives on south- and southeast-facing windowsills, and in summer outdoors as well. In the spring-summer period, the optimal temperature is 21–25 °C (70–77 °F), in winter 10–15 °C (50–59 °F); temperatures should not drop below 8 °C (46 °F). In extreme heat the plant may drop leaves; in cold, roots may rot.

From spring to autumn, the plant needs generous watering (1–2 times a week) after the top layer of substrate dries out. From autumn to spring, watering is reduced to 1–2 times a month, and at temperatures below 12 °C (54 °F) it is stopped completely. Air humidity is of no special significance for Crassula, with the exception of the heating season, when it is better not to keep the plant near radiators. It needs regular room ventilation, as well as periodic wiping with a damp cloth or a gentle shower. During the warm season, the plant is fed once a month with liquid fertilizer for cacti and succulents.

Crassula is completely undemanding regarding soil, feeling perfectly comfortable in a substrate of equal parts sod soil, humus, and sand with the addition of charcoal pieces. Young plants are repotted annually into shallow containers, as the plant's root system is shallow and compact. With age, the plant is repotted as necessary once every 2–3 years (when the roots become crowded) into a mixture of equal parts sod soil, leaf mold, humus, peat, and sand. To encourage bushiness, the tip can be pinched back. It is rarely affected by pests.