The Crassula Buddha Temple is an ideal succulent plant to decorate the interior of the home or to have in the garden.
It is characterized by having a geometric shape, stacking its four leaves in the form of a cross.
They are curious small-sized succulent plants that can branch with age and reach 30 cm in height.
The fleshy leaves are arranged on the stem tightly between them, with the apex slightly upwards and are grayish-green.
The flowers, pinkish-white, are very small but numerous and arise at the tip of the stems.
They can bloom in late spring and other seasons of the year.
Also, over time it tends to add suckers, which can be separated and planted in other pots.
The most common is to grow them in pots and planters given their small size, but if the weather allows it, they are suitable for rockeries and cactus gardens.
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Crassula “Buddha’s Temple” Care
With this geometric aspect, they are very decorative, and due to their small size, they are very suitable for growing indoors.
Watering:
Regarding irrigation, you must always remember that it is very harmful to overwater them.
If the substrate is saturated in water (which you will notice by the plant’s weight,) especially with no drainage, this is a formula for fungi and the subsequent death of the plant.
You must avoid this.
Between October and may water every 2 months, irrigation should be carried out with very little water, always depending on the geographical area, and the prevailing climate and rainfall.
An unavoidable requirement is to check the substrate before watering and make sure it’s dry before you water.
In times of heat, you can water the plant 1 or 2 times a week. In times of cold, it is best to water every 15 days, but if temperatures are below 0ºC/32°F, it is best to water 2 times a month.
Substratum:
Crassula ‘buddha’s temple’ is best suited for poor soil, which will ensure good drainage and excellent aeration.
In case of acquiring it in a specialized store, you should ask for the specific ones for cacti, since they are the ones that are best adapted for their high magnesium content, produced by root rot.
You can also mix universal culture substrate with perlite in equal parts or plant it in pumice or river sand.
It is a plant that fears waterlogging and does not like the soil to compact (which can happen with black peat soil).
For this reason, in addition, it is not advisable to plant it in the garden, unless you have a porous soil capable of absorbing and draining water quickly.
Temperature:
It supports frosts up to -2ºC /28°F as long as they are punctual and short-lived, although it lives best in hot climates with temperatures above 0ºC/32°F degrees.
If you have intense winters, I suggest you always bring your succulent indoors.
Illumination:
It is a succulent non-cactus that can be outdoors in full sun and indoors in a room with a lot of natural light.
Just make sure it does not get a sunburn.
Fertilizer:
Succulents do not have high nutritional requirements.
If you have your succulent in a pot, its advise you fertilize it.
When you fertilize your succulent, it must be done with moderation.
When you do so, you will enjoy the benefits of beautiful flowers.
The most suitable fertilizers are prepared for cacti and succulents, which you can use during March and September.
They must be applied in all cases on the moistened substrate.
The dose must be respected as well as its frequency. Both are marked on the packaging.
How to Propagate Crassula Buddha’s Temple
The Crassula multiplies only by suckers in spring or summer, as it does not produce seeds.
The way to proceed is as follows:
First, you have to wait for the child to reach a size that allows you to manipulate it easily.
Then, separate it from the mother plant with the help of a previously disinfected knife or with scissors – also sanitized.
Then, let the son’s wound dry for a week, putting him in an area protected from the sun and rain.
After that time, impregnate its base with homemade roots and plant it in a pot with cheek, akadama, or similar.
Finally, place the pot outside in half shade.
By keeping the substrate moist (but not puddled), it will root in about 15 days.
Transplant:
Every two years, in spring. Once it reaches its final size, it can be left in the same pot as long as it is paid regularly; otherwise, you will need a new substrate every 2-3 years.
Plagues and diseases:
In general, it is quite resistant to plagues and diseases. However, if the care or climate is not the most adequate, it can be affected by mealybugs. If the surroundings are very dry and warm, or very humid and is being water excessively, it will be attacked by fungi.
In the case you notice fungi in your succulent, you can remove them with a brush, potassium soap, or diatomaceous earth, but in cases of excess watering or high humidity, it is very important that the substrate has excellent drainage.
If it doesn’t have good drainage and is overwater(you’re able to see damage by overwatering), you can transplant the succulent.
If where you live rains frequently, make sure you keep it indoors in a bright, draft-free room. Also, do preventive fungicide treatments.
Another possibility is to have burns caused by excess sun, dryness, and heat. In this case, it is best to change the plant’s location, where it receives a little less sun.
Pruning:
Generally, this plant does not need to be pruned, only in the event that parts of the plant are abused or with diseased. You can cut its leaves, or damage roots, to avoid the spread of any possible diseases.
Like always, make sure the tools you use for pruning are properly sterilized.
I hope this article was helpful.