Crassula Hobbit (Coral)
Crassula refers to tovstyankovyh family (Crassulaceae). In nature, this plant grows in South Africa. There are about 300 species tovstyanok. In addition, breeders have bred a large number of varieties of this plant.
In the most commonly grown indoors Crassula portulakova (S. portulacea), tree- Crassula (C. arborescens) and Crassula carpet (S. socialis). Florists use plants to create flowers, especially sukulenynyh compositions to decorate the room.
Morphology
Crassula - enough cereals to succulent but decorative foliage plant. The stem of this plant is not cereal, juicy, erect, densely covered with adjoining dark brown bark. Jade Leaves small, fleshy, dense, not yaytsevyd or oval, located opposite, sometimes gathered into a small outlet. Different types November are painted in bright green or dark green. Puff plate gradually transformed into a thick brown stalk. The flowers are small, gathered in paniculate inflorescences are not great; their color is usually white or pink.
Jade repre senting a tree-shrub, reaching in vivo 2 m in height. The stems of the plants are very thick, painted in gray-green. On the branches are clearly visible traces of fallen leaves. Puff oval plate or with little aggravation at the end, not pubescent, green, covered with gray on the fly. If the plant is placed in a well lit area, the edge of the leaf is painted in burgundy color. Jade carpet - bitch tapes with long flexible stems that stelyutsya on the ground, forming a green goals or carpets. The leaves of this plant are very small, thick, light green, almost triangular shape. The flowers are white. Jade portulakova repre senting a Tree shrub. Ing plates puff dark green, small. A distinctive feature of this species is the presence of air brown roots, which over the years niye topics. Blossoms plant with white or pink flowers.
Plant care
Lighting. All Jade better placed in a light place, most of them shading from direct sunlight is required. Eastern, southern and south-western windows are perfect for Crassula. With a lack of light shoots stretched, interstitials become larger.
Jade is desirable for the summer bring to the open air, placing on the balcony or in the garden. Many species grow well tolstyanok on a sunny balcony, but you need to make sure that when watering the water droplets on the leaves do not fall.
Temperature. Most Crassula thermophilic prefer air temperature 20-25 °C. In autumn and winter, and grow well in cool place with a temperature of 10-15 °C, and under normal circumstances apartments for heating.
Humidity. Does not matter, Crassula grows well in normal room conditions.
Watering. Crassula accumulate a lot of moisture in their thick and fleshy leaves, so the excess moisture for Jade dangerous than its disadvantage, especially in winter. In spring and summer the plants watered when the soil slightly moist, fall and winter - almost dry. Plant without problems will take no watering for 2-3 weeks during your vacation is not in the hot room.
Soil. Jade undemanding to soil. They grow well in preparing the ground for succulents. You can mix the grassy land and sand, or use a mixture of turf, leaf, humus soil and sand in equal parts. Suggest adding to the soil pieces of charcoal. The root system is shallow in Crassula, so use low containers. Jade grow well in the bowl. Good drainage in the pot will not allow water to stagnate and cause fungal diseases of plants.
Fertilizing. Crassula enough to feed once a month with a solution of fertilizer for cacti and other succulents in spring and summer. In cold weather the plant can not fertilize at all, or once a month pour a weak solution of fertilizer (half strength or less).
Transplantation. Transplanted adult Jade every two years or even less frequently in the spring. Among the most common types of indoor Crassula tree - growing rather slowly. With age, its thick trunk and a large mass of fleshy leaves are heavy, and the root system weakens. When transplanting is recommended to use broad-resistant containers, so the plant does not fall out of the pot, until strengthened in the new vessel. Sometimes it is desirable to use props.
Reproduction. Crassula can reproduce quickly and easily - leaf and stem cuttings. This is usually done in the spring. Escape or even large leaves are cut sharp blade, cut shredded treated with activated charcoal and dried for 2-3 day. Then planted in a bowl, a mixture of leaf soil and sand.
You can also propagate and seeds, but this method is rarely used.
Diseases and pests. Crassula resistant to pests. But if there were scale insects, it is better to treat the plant "aktellik".
The main danger is posed by various fungal diseases that develop at too high humidity. Difficult to deal with them, much easier not pereuvlazhnyat plant.