Crassula BARBATA

Crassula BARBATA - Bearded crassula, Crassula barbata, Bearded jade plant.

Crassula is a very interesting succulent plant. The genus received its familiar name "Jade plant" or "fat plant" thanks to its thick leaves and stems, and in Latin "Crassula" means "thick." Most representatives are native to Africa, with some from Australia and the island of Tasmania. In nature, it grows in wetland areas and on rocky slopes. There are many perennial and annual varieties, both herbaceous and shrubby. They live 10-15 years, but older specimens can also be found.

It grows rapidly, and within a short time the smooth trunk of the plant can reach 30 cm (12 in) in diameter and 2 m (6.6 ft) in height. On solitary or branching (becoming woody with age) shoots are opposite, fleshy leaves (thickened in the middle), glossy bright green and elliptic in shape. Solitary inconspicuous white flowers bloom on an umbel-like peduncle. Indoors, it blooms extremely rarely.

The jade plant is very popular in home floriculture thanks to its decorative appeal, relatively rapid growth, and low maintenance. In addition, many beliefs and folk traditions are associated with it. The plant looks very impressive both individually in a standalone planter and in compositions with cacti and other succulents. Some species can be grown in the bonsai style.

Bearded crassula is a very charming, compact rosette-forming plant. The green leaves are 3-4 cm (1.2-1.6 in) wide with hairs along the margins. During flowering, it elongates. The peduncle reaches up to 20 cm (8 in). The flowers are yellow-green, inflated, about 1 mm (0.04 in) in diameter, with very succulent petals.

Seeds are sown into a shallow container on the surface of 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 to three leaves appear, the seedlings are transplanted into individual pots. Obtaining seeds under home conditions is impossible.

Special notes: The seeds are extremely (!) fine.

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Crassula is an easy-care plant. It tolerates direct sun well and, regardless of the winter dormant period, needs bright illumination year-round. With insufficient light, stems turn pale and stretch, and leaves become smaller. In the home, 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), and in winter 10-15 °C (50-59 °F); temperatures should not drop below 8 °C (46 °F). In extreme heat, the plant may drop its leaves, and in cold conditions, the 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 altogether. Air humidity is not critical for the plant, except during the heating season when it should not be kept near radiators. It needs regular room ventilation and occasional damp wipe-downs or a gentle shower. During the warm season, it is fertilized once a month with liquid fertilizer for cacti and succulents.

The plant is completely undemanding regarding soil, thriving in a substrate of equal parts turf soil, humus, and sand with the addition of charcoal pieces. Young plants are repotted annually into shallow containers, as their root systems are shallow. With age, the plant is repotted as needed every 2-3 years (when the roots become cramped) into a mixture of equal parts turf and leaf soils, humus, peat, and sand. To encourage bushiness, the crown can be pinched back. It is rarely affected by pests.