Dudleya BRITTONII

Dudleya BRITTONII - Britton's dudleya, Giant chalk dudleya, Dudleya brittonii.

Dudleya is a small genus of perennial succulent plants in the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae), native to arid desert regions in northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. The genus numbers about 40 species, some of which are on the brink of extinction. The commercial sale of Dudleya STOLONIFERA and Dudleya TRASKIAE plants without special authorization is prohibited. Only a few, mostly rosette-forming species have been cultivated for ornamental use; all of them are undemanding and adapt well indoors.

Most varieties are low-growing rosette plants 8-12 cm (3-5 in) in height and have very short stems, lignifying or branching, often arising from a small caudex. In diameter, they can reach 25-28 cm (10-11 in). Some species grow as small shrubs up to 40 cm (16 in) in height. A distinctive feature of representatives of the genus is a waxy farinose coating on stems and leaves.

The leaves are elongated, thick, juicy, and fleshy, glaucous or green with a characteristic bluish or grayish powdery bloom. The water-repellent coating helps protect against the scorching sun and retain moisture. The leaf shape varies from flattened to almost cylindrical, from ovate to linear.

During flowering, the plant produces a stout, jointed peduncle reaching up to 1 m (3.3 ft) in height with several terminal paniculate inflorescences. The numerous brightly colored bell-shaped flowers are very ornamental. Flower coloration varies from white and yellow to pink and red, and each color can appear in various shades. The flowers have no scent and fall off very quickly, literally within a few days. Under natural conditions, dudleya blooms infrequently, and in apartments even more rarely, if flowering can be achieved at all.

Dudleya brittonii is the most famous in cultivation and one of the most ornamental species. It is most often seen as a solitary rosette with numerous lanceolate leaves, ranging in number from 40 to 120. The leaf blades are usually greenish-gray and can change coloration during the growing season, especially at the tips. Dusted with a thick layer of chalky-white water-repellent powder, the plants appear almost artificial. Closer to dusk, an impression arises that its waxy coating not only reflects the last rays of sunset, but also glows faintly on its own.

In addition to endurance and unpretentiousness, the plant possesses enviable longevity and is capable of delighting its owners for more than one decade. Flowering, quite scenic in the wild, occurs extremely rarely in an apartment.

The seeds are mixed beforehand with the top layer of planting mix, then sown into sandy soil, moistened with a spray bottle, covered with film, and germinated under moderate humidity in light, but not in sun, at a temperature of 16-21 °C (61-70 °F). Seedlings require ventilation. Overwatering and drying out of sowings must be avoided.

The seeds are very (!) tiny.

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Caring for Dudleya indoors poses no great difficulty; in nature it grows even on cliffs and in desert zones. To maintain good form and a dense white powdery coating, the plant requires bright diffused sunlight. Direct sunlight is also permissible. In shade, the plant will not develop, will stop growing, and will begin to languish. An excess of direct sunlight can be recognized by wrinkled leaves, while a lack of light causes drying and bluish discoloration.

During summer months, room temperature is preferred, although the plant tolerates heat well and can easily exist at temperatures up to 35-37 °C (95-99 °F). Providing a supply of fresh air is important. In winter, a dormant period sets in, for which optimal conditions are 10-15 °C (50-59 °F). Cooling below 5-7 °C (41-45 °F) leads to plant death, while warming above 20 °C (68 °F) exhausts the plant and shortens its lifespan.

Watering is carried out as the substrate dries out. In spring and early summer once every 2 weeks, and in the hottest months once a week. In autumn, watering frequency is reduced to a minimum, and in winter it is watered once a month solely to prevent the plant from drying up. If indoor humidity is high, the flower can be left completely unwatered during the cold season. Watering is performed with well-purified room-temperature water. Getting moisture on the leaves is impermissible to prevent streaks and spots on the powdery coating.

Dudleya is insensitive to air humidity and thrives under average levels. In heat and severe air dryness, the tips of the leaves, especially lower ones, may dry up. Tearing them off is undesirable while most of the leaf remains alive. Carefully trimming off the dead portion is recommended. The plant must not be sprayed.

Cultivation requires a neutral or slightly acidic, well-draining soil consisting of 2/3 soil substrate and 1/3 coarse sand and fine gravel. The substrate can be prepared independently from 1 part leaf mold, 1 part sod soil, and 1 part coarse sand. An important condition is good drainage, for which crushed brick is suitable, having the ability to absorb excess moisture that is fatal in large quantities to the roots of desert plants. Fine pebbles, vermiculite, or any other drainage material are also suitable.

There is no necessity for feeding. However, any soil eventually becomes depleted, and nourishing the soil slightly with nutrients is still recommended. From spring through autumn, the plant can be fertilized once a month with a complete mineral formula for succulents or cacti with high potassium content.

The plant features a slow growth rate; repotting may be required once every several years in spring. The procedure must be carried out carefully to avoid damaging the succulent's very thin, fragile roots and rubbing off the powdery coating from the leaves, which could affect the plant's overall health and appearance. It is recommended to use an unglazed ceramic, shallow pot, slightly wider in diameter than the previous one. A drainage layer is mandatory.