Crassula Rupestris “Kebab Bush”

Crassula Rupestris is a succulent endemic from South Africa known as Baby’s Necklace, Rosary plant, Kebab bush, Concertina plant, Stacking Crassula, Rosary Vine, Necklace Vine, and High Voltage.

Crassula rupestris develops very thin and long stems of approximately 40 cm.

Its link is composed of flattened leaves of only 1cm approximately, which are green. 

The flowers sprout from the end of each stem, these flowers are very small and white (sometimes).

Flowering arises in clusters densely covered with small flowers, at the end of the stem, the color of the flowers can vary from pale pink to a much more intense one. 

The inflorescence appears between June and September.

Its growth rate is quite fast and may need a transplant every 2 years if the culture conditions are adequate. Also, it is very easy to get new copies without having to buy more.

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Tips to take care of teh Crassula Rupestris “Kebab Bush”

Illumination

Located outside: The Crassula rupestris is grateful to be in the sun, so it is ideal to put the plant in full sun when it is planted in the extreme.

But it can also grow without any problem.

Located inside: as mentioned above, the Crassula rupestris likes direct sun, and for this reason, it is important that if the plant is inside, locate it in an area where it receives enough sunlight so that the succulent can have the best possible growth and grow very pretty.

Substratum

Located outside: They prefer a poor soil of nutrients and organic matter and especially Crassula rupestris needs a porous substrate, that has excellent drainage and aeration. 

If you plant your Crassula rupestris directly in the garden, a specific substrate is not needed, as long as it is porous, has good drainage and low in nutrients:

Located in the interior: when we plant the Crassula rupestris in the interior if it is important to have a good substrate and with good drainage, since it does not receive direct sunlight the substrate takes longer to dry, and if the soil is kept very wet or With water pools, the roots of the plant can rot.

For this reason, cactus-specific substrates are the most suitable, since they also contain high doses of magnesium. 

You can also use a universal culture substrate mixed with perlite in equal parts.

Irrigation

Watering them in excess is the biggest mistake usually made with succulents. 

Too much water, and above all, a caked and poorly drained substrate provide the appearance of fungi and the death of the plant. 

From October to May they should be irrigated with a small amount of water, depending on the geographical area, weather, and rainfall.

Before watering it is essential to check that the substrate is dry.

Located outside: in summer and spring times it is important to pour enough water to the plant (especially in summer) since the substrate dries faster by heat. 

But despite this, it is important that between irrigation and irrigation, make sure that the substrate is completely dry. 

In winter and autumn times you have to be more careful when watering the plant, because the substrate takes longer to dry. 

Therefore, you should not water the plant in excess, and leave the plant with the substrate completely dry before re-watering the plant, to avoid the appearance of fungi or root rot.

Located inside: if the Crassula rupestris is located inside it is ideal to water it until the excess water begins to flow out of the hole at the bottom of the pot. 

Being located inside the substrate takes longer to dry, especially in winter, so it is not necessary to pour too much water when watering. 

And as if it were located inside, you should expect that between irrigation and irrigation, the substrate will dry completely, especially in winter and autumn seasons.

Fertilizer

Succulents do not show great nutritional needs. 

Only those that come in a pot can require fertilization, although always with care, and especially to stimulate the flowering of the succulent. 

It is advisable to use specific fertilizers for cacti and succulents from March to September and always apply them on the moistened substrate, respecting the dose and frequency indicated on the package.

Temperature

Located outside: Crassula rupestris can withstand cold and weak frost up to -2 ° C, but being outside they need to be protected against hail.

Located inside: as mentioned above, the crassula rupestris supports frost up to -2ºC.

As the plant is inside, there is no need to be careful with slush and frost, just do not locate the plant in places where it receives strong winds and thus prevent it from dying.

Diseases

Regardless of whether the plant is inside or outside, the greatest threat of plant disease comes from excess water in the substrate and/or a humid, poorly ventilated and cold atmosphere, a lot of shade.

Also the plant can suffer burns in its leaves produced by the sun, excess of dryness and heat.

To avoid rot after rains it is advisable to treat them with Funcida Copper Cuper Plus (preventive) or Triadimenol 25% 20 CC Blangueta (systematic, preventive and curative). 

But this is only necessary if the plant is located outside.

Plantation or transplant

The best time to transplant crassula rupestris is in spring. 

If the succulent plant is in a pot, it is important to change the pot every 2-3 years for a larger pot. If the plant is planted directly in the garden, transplantation is not necessary. 

If in the garden area where I plant the succulent plant, it is left without enough space to grow or the substrate is scarce, if it is good to transplant it to an area where the crassula rupestris can grow better.

Propagation

In general, each succulent leaf is capable of forming a new plant. 

That is why the best way to spread crassula rupestris is by stem or leaf cuttings, and the best time to do so is in spring-summer.

Propagation of succulents by cuttings is extremely easy.

1. First, you must select the cuttings you want to plant. Cut the amount of leaf, according to the number of plants you want them to grow.

2. At the time of cutting the cuttings of the plant (the leaves of the stem), you must do it from a clean iron or with a knife, making sure that there are no remains of the leaf on the stem.

3. Then let the rest of the cuttings for 24 hours on a damp napkin before planting them.

4. After 24h, place the cuttings in a pot on top of a specific succulent substrate and then moisten the soil.

In about 10 days the cuttings will begin to emit roots.

You should water the cuttings with an atomizer and trying not to water the cuttings too much, to prevent the cuttings from rotting and locating the plant in semi-shade, the bone where it receives sunlight, but not directly. 

After the aya grown plant, you can place it in full sun if you wish.

Toxicity

Although there is not much information about the degree of toxicity of Crassula Rupestris, you should not be afraid, since Crassula Rupestris is not toxic to pets, so do not be afraid to plant this plant if you have a pet.