The Latest Crassula Care Methods: How to Grow It Well?
Crassula is also known as 'Ruo Lu', jade plant, etc. It is a perennial succulent subshrub of the Crassula genus in the Crassulaceae family, native to Namibia. The stems and branches usually grow vertically upward, and the leaves are scale-like and triangular. It can be used as a foliage plant arranged in an ornamental greenhouse or as a potted plant accenting a balcony, corridor, or indoor space. Now let's take a look at how to grow Crassula well!
Growth Habits of Crassula
Crassula is native to South Africa, southern Africa, Namibia and other places. It grows up to 30 cm tall, with thin, easily branching stems. The stems and branches usually grow vertically upward. The scale-like leaves are generally triangular and arranged in 4 rows along the stems and branches, very tightly packed. It prefers a warm, dry environment with plenty of sunlight, is afraid of low temperatures and frost and snow, tolerates partial shade, and has low soil requirements. A mix of peat soil and coarse sand is best. In winter, the temperature should not drop below 5°C.
Propagation Methods of Crassula
Crassula is mainly propagated by cuttings, which can be done throughout the year, with spring and autumn being the best times for rooting and a high survival rate. Select relatively neat branches with tightly arranged scale-like leaves, cut them into 12-15 cm lengths, and insert them into a sand pot. After about 20-25 days they will root. When the roots reach 2-3 cm long, they can be potted.
How to Grow Crassula Well?
1. Soil: For potted Crassula, choose a well-draining, loose and relatively fertile sandy loam soil. Usually repot every 2-3 years, which can be done in spring or autumn. The potting soil should be loose and fertile with good drainage. You can use a mix of 1 part leaf mold, 1 part garden soil, and 2 parts coarse sand or vermiculite, with a small amount of bone meal and plant ash mixed in as base fertilizer.
2. Watering: For potted Crassula, there is no need to water too much at ordinary times; just keep the potting soil slightly moist. When watering, try to pour it into the soil. Water on the leaves will affect their appearance, and do not pour it into the flower center, as it will cause the center to rot. During the growing season, water 2-3 times a week. During the rainy season and hot season, watering 1-2 times a week is sufficient.
3. Pinching: When the Crassula plant grows too tall, it needs to be pinched back to lower it. Branches that are too numerous, too slanted, or too dense should be thinned out. When placed outdoors, avoid heavy rain, otherwise the roots will be damaged and the branches will turn yellow and rot. Every 2-3 years, the plant needs to be re-propagated by cuttings for renewal.
4. Fertilizing: Crassula is a fine-leaved variety among succulent plants. Apply a dilute, decomposed liquid fertilizer or compound fertilizer once a month. In winter, place it indoors in a sunny spot. Above 10°C, you can continue watering and fertilizing to allow normal growth. If you restrict watering and keep the potting soil moderately dry, it can also tolerate low temperatures of 3-5°C.
5. Disease Prevention: The main diseases of Crassula are brown spot disease and leaf spot disease. Spray with Bordeaux mixture (1:1:100) once a month. Pests include red spider mites and scale insects, which can be controlled by spraying with 50% fenitrothion emulsifiable concentrate at 1000 times dilution.