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Description: Crassula perfossa is a small
and compact matforming succulent shrublet that stays relatively low and
clumps readily.
Stem: Up to about 15 tall, erect, fleshy, later prostrate and woody.
Leaves: In pairs, Fused so that they appear to be like beads on a
string. They are broadly ovate, keeled with short-pointed tip, at right
angles to the stem, 1.5 to 2 cm. long , 9 to 13 mm wide and more or less
velvety. Gray-green (covered with a light pruinose surface. These
characters preserve moisture and protect from strong sunlight) with
small whitish or pink dots on the margin.
Flowers: Produces an elonged
cyme, of very small, white sweet-scented flowers.
Blooming season: Flowers appear in every time of the year when
conditions are appropriate, but they tend to be produced mainly during
winter or early spring.
In country homes one will find flower pots
with the long, hanging branches on shelves or between windows. In the
past years these plants have been gaining in popularity and a large
number of hybrid and cultivars has been grown. There is also a nice
cultivar with yellow-cream variegation which fades as the older foliage
matures.
Cultivation: Crassula perforata is a an easy to
care popular succulent grown also as a suspended plant. It does well in
light homes between the windows too. They will require a free draining
and rich compost with adequate watering during the growing period
and only light application of water so that the leaves do not
shrivel unduly. Fairly drought tolerant elsewhere. Requires good light
to keep the plants compact and encourage leaf colour and flowering. The
pruinose stem coatings of the plants in our collection sometime is not
so intense as those of the plants in their natural habitat but the
difference in coating is thought due to the higher humidity and less
intense sunlight of our climate.
After growing
for
some time the
stems
tend to
become untidy
and pendulous
and
should be cut very short or restarted from cuttings.
Crassulas are sensitive to
mealybugs.
The best temperature is 7 to 10 °C (but hardy to -5° C for short
periods)
Propagation: It is propagated with
ease from the short shoots which are potted into rich, porous soil where
they quickly take root.
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