Help?

10 years ago

I just got this at the mall yesterday and I was wondering what exactly it was. My friend says it's a succulent and I'd like to know how to specifically care for it.

Featured Answer

Crenda 10A SW FL

10 years ago

strawtm - the 2 basic things are a very free draining potting mixture and lots of light.

This is a plant that I had several years ago. It was planted in C&S soil, you can even see the bag in the background. That soil is way too water retentive for my area and most people cut it in half with perlite (at the least). This plant is rotted. I could only find 2 little tips that were not slimy with rot.

Here's when it was looking better. Full sun really makes it turn red! You can also see little plantlets or branches forming between the leaves.

This is another plant. See how gritty the potting mixture is? It really drains well, but I am still careful with it during our wet summers.

Water when dry. The plant - and most all succulents - will do fine without water, but they will rot with too much. You can check your mix with a skewer or chopstick. Even a pencil will work. If its damp, don't water. When in doubt, don't.

Hope that helps!

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Comments (11)

rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
10 years ago
First, take it out of the glass tumbler - at least that's what I see in the pic; I am assuming it doesn't have drainage hole?

No plant should be potted in container without drainage hole.

What is it potted in (soil?)?
strawtm
Original Author
10 years ago
No hole. It's in soil with pebbles ontop.
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greenclaws UK, Zone 8a
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
The word soil doesn't really tell us anything. Could even be garden soil. Please explain in more detail.

Gill
strawtm
Original Author
10 years ago
No idea then. I got it at the mall and I bought it just like this:
Christina M (zone 10a)
10 years ago
hey! Welcome to our little community! It looks like a Crassula Campfire. I had one and when I took it to my office (and it had no light), it started to look like yours. These guys need a TON of light and they will start to turn red. You can see on the bottom leaves of yours, it was red at some point. When they aren't in a bright light area, they start to lose that red and turn back to green.

It would be best in a terra cotta/clay pot (very inexpensive from home depot or lowes) that is of similar size. Don't pot up too much. Look into soil composition- you want something very fast draining. Miracle Grow is not fast draining, so steer away. Get something called cactus soil and augment it with perlite. I would say go 1:1... if you're looking for more of a challenge and learning opportunity, I would look into gritty mix or 5-1-1 and create your own soil. If you spend enough time here, you will definitely be making your own soil.

Also, as you introduce it to bright light, you want to do it gradually so it doesn't get sunburnt! All very complicated for plants that are supposed to be low-maintenance. But I promise you, if you have the right environmental conditions, you can forget about it for a week or two and it will be just as happy. I wish I had pictures of mine readily available. If I stumble upon them, I will post them.

Good luck!!
strawtm thanked Christina M (zone 10a)
Crenda 10A SW FL
10 years ago
Please do provide well draining soil and a a pot with good drainage. I have found that this plant rots easily if care is not taken with drainage. However, I should mention that mine is outside and we have high humidity all year long.

Otherwise, it is an easy plant and I'm sure you will enjoy it.
strawtm
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks everyone for the tips! I really appreciate it!
strawtm
Original Author
10 years ago
One more question... Can anyone go over the "care" prospect of this please?
lmontestella
10 years ago
No KB, sorry but one really CAN'T have plants w/ no drainage holes, it's far too problematic. Maybe you can, but by &large most folks CANNOT.

I see that you may be new, but pls. do not come on & contradict one of our most basic rules, especially for beginners.

Lena
mesembs
10 years ago
Imontestella,

"Without contraries is no progression"- William Blake