Overview
The Crassula alpestris Thunb. subsp. alpestris x C. alpestris subsp. massonii (Britten & Baker f.) Toelken is a hybrid plant that belongs to the Crassulaceae family. This plant is a unique combination of the two subspecies, C. alpestris subsp. alpestris and C. alpestris subsp. massonii, which makes it an intriguing plant that is worth growing. The plant is also known by its common name, Mountain Crassula.
Origin
The Crassula alpestris Thunb. subsp. alpestris x C. alpestris subsp. massonii (Britten & Baker f.) Toelken is native to South Africa. This hybrid is the result of a cross between the subspecies of Crassula alpestris, which naturally grow in rocky crevices, stony slopes, and cliffs of the South African mountains. The subspecies alpestris is native to the Cape Province in South Africa, while the subspecies massonii is native to the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.
General Appearance
The Crassula alpestris Thunb. subsp. alpestris x C. alpestris subsp. massonii (Britten & Baker f.) Toelken is a small, succulent plant that forms a compact rosette of leaves, and grows up to 20 cm tall and 15 cm wide. The leaves are fleshy, oval-shaped, bright green, and have a slightly curved tip. The flowers of the plant are small, star-shaped, and have a pink color. The plant blooms from late winter to early spring, and the flowers appear on long, thin stalks that can reach up to 30 cm in height.
Uses
The Crassula alpestris Thunb. subsp. alpestris x C. alpestris subsp. massonii (Britten & Baker f.) Toelken plant is an ornamental plant that is commonly grown as an indoor or outdoor plant. Due to its small size and compact rosette, it is often used as a tabletop or windowsill decoration. It is also popular among gardeners as a rock garden plant or an accent plant in a succulent garden. The plant is a slow-growing plant that requires minimal care, making it a perfect plant for beginners.
In traditional medicine, the plant is believed to have healing properties, and is used to treat various ailments such as digestive problems, respiratory ailments, and skin conditions. However, no scientific studies have been conducted to validate these claims, and caution is always advised when using plants for medicinal purposes.
Light requirements
Crassula alpestris Thunb. subsp. alpestris x C. alpestris subsp. massonii (Britten & Baker f.) Toelken plants require bright light to grow well. They require approximately 6 hours of direct sun per day. A good location for these plants to thrive is in a south-facing window.
Temperature requirements
Crassula alpestris Thunb. subsp. alpestris x C. alpestris subsp. massonii (Britten & Baker f.) Toelken plants require warm temperatures averaging between 60 to 75°F (15-24°C). This plant should be kept in a room with controlled temperature. These plants cannot tolerate frost, and this must be avoided at all costs.
Soil requirements
Crassula alpestris Thunb. subsp. alpestris x C. alpestris subsp. massonii (Britten & Baker f.) Toelken plants require well-drained soil. This plant cannot tolerate standing water around the roots, which may cause root rot and eventually kill the plant. A good quality soil mixture with high drainage capability will be enough for these plants.
Cultivation Methods
The Crassula alpestris Thunb. subsp. alpestris x C. alpestris subsp. massonii (Britten & Baker f.) Toelken is a succulent plant that is easy to cultivate. It can thrive both indoors and outdoors, and it requires very little maintenance. The plant grows well in a well-draining potting mix and prefers bright indirect sunlight.
If the plant is grown outdoors in a warmer climate, it should be protected from the direct sun to avoid scorching. It can also be sensitive to frost, so it is important to protect it in colder conditions.
Watering Needs
The Crassula alpestris Thunb. subsp. alpestris x C. alpestris subsp. massonii (Britten & Baker f.) Toelken is a drought-tolerant plant that does not require frequent watering. It is important to wait until the soil is completely dry before watering the plant again. Overwatering can cause root rot and other problems.
When watering the plant, it is best to water it deeply and let the excess water drain out of the bottom of the pot. This helps to flush out any excess salts that may have accumulated in the soil.
Fertilization
The Crassula alpestris Thunb. subsp. alpestris x C. alpestris subsp. massonii (Britten & Baker f.) Toelken does not require a lot of fertilization. A light feeding once a month during the growing season with a balanced, succulent-specific fertilizer is recommended. However, too much fertilizer can be harmful to the plant, so it is important to avoid overfertilization.
Pruning
The Crassula alpestris Thunb. subsp. alpestris x C. alpestris subsp. massonii (Britten & Baker f.) Toelken does not require a lot of pruning. However, if the plant becomes too leggy or top-heavy, it can be pruned back to promote bushier growth. Pruning should be done in the spring or summer when new growth is starting to emerge.
Propagation of Crassula alpestris Thunb. subsp. alpestris x C. alpestris subsp. massonii (Britten & Baker f.) Toelken
Propagation of Crassula alpestris Thunb. subsp. alpestris x C. alpestris subsp. massonii can be done either by seeds or vegetative methods.
Propagation by Seeds
To propagate this plant using seeds, the seeds must be sown during the spring or summer season. These seeds need to be sown in well-draining soil that is kept moist. The germination rate for these seeds is relatively high, and once the seedlings reach a couple of inches tall, they can be transplanted into individual pots.
Propagation by Vegetative Methods
The vegetative method of propagation involves taking stem cuttings from the parent plant. This method is the most common way to propagate this Crassula alpestris subspecies. Make sure the cutting has a few leaves, and allow it to dry for a day or two. Dip the cutting in rooting hormone, and place it in a pot filled with well-draining soil mix. Keep the soil moist, and the cutting should root in 2-3 weeks.
Another method is to separate baby plants or offsets, which appear in the soil around the base of the parent plant. Gently separate those offsets and plant them in pots filled with well-draining soil mix. Keep the soil moist, and the plant should root in 2-3 weeks.
Once the cutting or offset is rooted, it can be transplanted to a larger pot. Make sure to use well-draining soil mix and keep the soil moist. The new plant will require indirect sun and should be watered only when the soil is dry.
Disease Management
Crassula alpestris Thunb. subsp. alpestris x C. alpestris subsp. massonii (Britten & Baker f.) Toelken is generally considered to be a low-maintenance plant. However, it is vulnerable to some common plant diseases such as:
- Leaf spot: Small brown or black spots may appear on the leaves of the plant, caused by fungal or bacterial infections. To manage this, affected parts of the plant must be removed and destroyed, and the plant must be sprayed with a fungicide.
- Root rot: This disease causes the roots of the plant to rot, leading to yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and a weakened plant. To manage this, the soil around the plant must be allowed to dry out, and only watered when the topsoil is dry to the touch.
- Powdery mildew: A powdery white substance appears on the leaves of the plant, caused by a fungal infection. To manage this, the affected parts of the plant must be removed and destroyed, and the plant must be sprayed with a fungicide.
Pest Management
Crassula alpestris Thunb. subsp. alpestris x C. alpestris subsp. massonii (Britten & Baker f.) Toelken is also susceptible to pest infestations, such as:
- Spider mites: These insects cause webbing and damage the plant's leaves, leading to stunted growth and weakened plants. To manage this, the affected parts of the plant must be removed and destroyed, and the plant must be sprayed with a miticide.
- Mealybugs: Mealybugs feed on the plant and leave a cotton-like substance on the leaves, leading to stunted growth and weakened plants. To manage this, the affected parts of the plant must be removed and destroyed, and the plant must be sprayed with insecticidal soap.
- Aphids: These insects feed on the plant and cause damage to leaves, leading to stunted growth and weakened plants. To manage this, the affected parts of the plant must be removed and destroyed, and the plant must be sprayed with insecticidal soap.
Regular inspection of the plant, good cultural practices, and early intervention when symptoms first appear can go a long way in managing both disease and pest infestations in Crassula alpestris Thunb. subsp. alpestris x C. alpestris subsp. massonii (Britten & Baker f.) Toelken.
