Succulents

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Crested Succulent

You definitely have a succulent that is growing in what is called a "cristate" or crested form. this happens when the original plant sustains some damage to the normal, single growing point and causes it to make multiple growing points. These all push against each other and cause the wavy, fan shape. It also doesn't allow the plant to grow in its normal form of a single rosette so that's why we can't give a definitive I.D., just a guess that it is likely a variety of echeveria. Sometimes it will throw out a plant that has reverted to normal - it looks like that might be the case off the right side of the photo but we can't see it. This will help identify the plant. For care I would carefully unpot it and add some soil to the bottom of the pot so you can re-pot it up at a higher level. This will give more air circulation around the base where it can often develop a rot problem, and clean out all the old dead leaves on the soil - they can cause a fungal problem. Otherwise it looks like you have been doing everything quite well. It does look like the soil may be a bit wet and you don't want that for any length of time. When you water, water well, but don't water again until the soil has started to dry out to about your first knuckle on your finger. keep it in the brightest location possible, even a little sun.

By | 2016-01-04T05:40:53-08:00 January 4th, 2016|Succulents|4 Comments
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Echeveria Topsy Turvy

'Topsy Turvy' is believed to be a variant of Echeveria runyonii, and forms upswept rosettes to 6" or more in diameter. The leaves are tubular with widened tips, and icy silver blue in color. It is considered by some to be a monstrose form, as the leaves are tubular, whereas the leaves of Echeveria runyonii are somewhat flattened, fleshy and have rounded tips. A very easily grown plant that is excellent for windowsill culture, in the rock garden or as a patio plant. In habitat, many Echeverias grow on rocky outcroppings at higher altitudes. In this habitat, the water drains quickly away from the roots of the plant, never allowing the plant to remain waterlogged. For this reason, it is essential in cultivation to use a very porous soil, which will allow quick drainage. Sun to very bright light is required to prevent "stretching" of Echeverias ("stretching" occurs when a moderately fast growing plant such as an Echeveria, is grown in dim light or over-fertilized, which causes overly lush growth that contributes to weak, pallid plants). Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch. Protect from frost.

By | 2016-01-03T09:01:05-08:00 January 3rd, 2016|Succulents|0 Comments
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Red Monadenium

Red Monadenium is one of the smaller more collectable Monadeniums with a swollen tuber-like base known as a caudex, the sole purpose of which is to store water for the plant in an exceedingly harsh environment. Coming from the Machakos District of Kenya, that is exactly the type of conditions it must endure. This semi-woody base can be perfectly round as a turnip or can be quite free-formed and have multiple sections. Arising from this base are thin, succulent, hanging stems marked with reddish-brown stripes. The stretched oval succulent leaves are green on one side and pink-red on the other. The plants are more red when exposed to more sun light, and turn entirely green in the shade. The small pink-red flowers resemble a very exotic type of orchid. In cultivation the plants are quite tough and remain in leaf and flower almost continuously. They can go dormant and drop the leaves and flowers in the winter. As to care, they should be kept warm in winter (temperatures above 50 degrees F.) and are usually deciduous. Keep on the dry side when dormant, but feed and water regularly when the plant is in leaf. Most look best when grown in some sun or bright indirect light, especially for the best color! The only real demand is a fast draining soil – a 50/50 mix of Perlite to potting soil is great. Water well when you do, but don't water again until the soil has become fairly dry. Remember that swollen base is storing water and the plant can get by without regular watering. It also looks nice in hanging pots where the foliage and small but exotically intriguing flowers can be allowed to cascade down.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:30-07:00 December 9th, 2015|Succulents|1 Comment
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