Crassula tomentosa
Synonyms:
Crassula conspicua
Crassula linguifolia
Crassula setigera
Crassula tomentosa var. setigera
Crassula tomentosa var. tomentosa
Purgosea conspicua
Purgosea linguifolia
Purgosea tomentosa
Sphaeritis setigera
Sphaeritis tomentosa
Turgosea linguifolia
Turgosea tomentosa
Habitat:
Crassula tomentosa is native to Southern Namibia and the Republic of South Africa, specifically in regions like the Northern Cape and Western Cape.
It’s commonly found in succulent-rich environments and Nama Karoo, a type of semi-desert in South Africa. In its natural habitat, you can often find it growing on stony slopes alongside other succulent plants like Euphorbia mauritanica, Pelargonium crithmifolium, Othonna cylindrica, Tylecodon paniculatus, Crassula muscosa, Conophytum bilobum, Ornithogalum multifolium, and Sarcostemma viminale.
Description:
Woolly crassula, scientifically known as Crassula tomentosa, is a succulent plant that can grow as a perennial or biennial. It forms compact rosettes of grey-green leaves, reaching up to 60 cm in height, including the flower stalk. The whole plant is covered with stiff, bent-back bristly hairs. Each rosette blooms just once in its lifetime, produces seeds, and then dies.
This species of crassula can vary quite a bit, especially in how hairy it is and in the size and shape of its leaves. The rosettes can either stand alone or group together, with leaves arranged in a spiral pattern. As they age, the older leaves stay attached to the stems.
The leaves at the base of the plant are 2-10 cm long and 1-3.5 cm wide. They are flat and come in various shapes like oblong, obovate, or orbicular. They’re usually grey-green to green, and can be smooth, fuzzy, or wrinkled, with tiny hairs along the edges. The tip of the leaf can be round, flat, or pointed. The leaves further up the stem are narrower and covered in coarse hairs.
The roots are fibrous and somewhat woody.
When it’s time to flower, woolly crassula sends up a spike-like bunch of flowers at the top. The stem is sturdy and can be 10-60 cm tall. It’s covered with leaves at the bottom and has leaf pairs higher up, but they get smaller towards the top. The flowers are tightly clustered along the stem nodes, forming a spiky cluster. The flower stalk itself is covered with leaf-like structures that get smaller as you go up.
The flowers have two green, stiffly hairy sepals that are about 2.5-3 mm long. The corolla (the petals together) is tubular, with a fused base that’s about 1-1.5 mm long. It can be white or yellowish. The individual petals are about 2.5-4.5 mm long, oblong with a tapering tip. They start fused at the base and then spread apart slightly at the tips. The stamens have black anthers, and the stigma is nearly sessile (it’s not on a long stalk).
The nectary scales are either oblong or square, and they’re about 0.3-1.2 mm long and 0.2-1 mm wide. They’re flat on top and narrow down, and they’re a yellowish color.
Woolly crassula typically blooms in early to mid-summer.
Cultivation:
Cultivating the Crassula tomentosa, also known as the woolly crassula, can be a delightful challenge. When cared for properly, it transforms into a captivating sight, with its leaves gently curving inwards, resembling a textured ball of fuzz. These charming plants are often cultivated in petite bonsai pots.
They exhibit a rather brisk growth rate, making them a dynamic addition to your collection. To thrive, they require a well-draining mineral soil, and their pots should be relatively shallow to accommodate their fibrous roots while ensuring excellent drainage.
In terms of light, they shy away from direct sunlight in the summer, as too much can lead to leaf scorching. However, they do need some sun exposure during the day to blossom. If kept in deep shade, their vitality wanes, eventually leading to decay. As houseplants, aim for up to six hours of sunlight daily.
When it comes to watering, moderation is key. From autumn to spring, they prefer their soil to be neither too soggy nor bone-dry. In summer, a more regular watering routine is necessary, but be cautious in winter. Too little water can cause them to shrivel, while excessive moisture may cause the rosette to open up, resembling a fluffy cabbage.
For nourishment, a light fertilizer can bolster growth, particularly when accompanied by additional watering. During the growing season, use a fertilizer tailored for cacti and succulents, ensuring it contains all necessary micro nutrients and trace elements. Dilute it to half the recommended strength on the label. These plants thrive in modest soil conditions and only require limited fertilization to prevent excessive growth, which can make them susceptible to fungal diseases. Ventilation is crucial for their well-being. Most issues arise from overwatering and poor air circulation, especially in gloomy, cool, or overly humid conditions. As for pests and diseases, they are generally resilient, with only occasional encounters with mealybugs. To shield them from harm, ensure protection against frost. For those fortunate enough to reside in frost-free regions, these crassulas can flourish outdoors. For others, they make wonderful indoor companions in all other zones.
Propagation:
Propagation of Crassula tomentosa, also known as the woolly crassula, can be achieved through two primary methods: seeds and offsets. To start from seeds, it is recommended to sow them in the autumn. This period provides an optimal environment for germination. The process involves placing the seeds in a well-prepared substrate and ensuring they receive adequate light and moisture. Offsets, another effective propagation method, involve the separation of young shoots or offsets from the parent plant. These young shoots are then placed in clean river sand. Regular misting, ideally every three to four days, creates a humid environment conducive to root development. With the right care, roots should begin to emerge within a span of two to three weeks. This patient and nurturing approach to propagation allows for the successful reproduction of these captivating succulents, ensuring a new generation of woolly crassulas can flourish and thrive.
Curiosity:
The etymology of the name “Crassula” comes from the latin word “Crassus”, meaning “thick”, “fat”, referring to the succulent leaves of the plant of the genus.
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