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Crassula Platyphylla ‘Burgundy’ Care Guide

There is something inherently glamorous about the Cranssula Platyphylla’ Burgundy’, since its leaves are so thick and fleshy. South Africa is the origin of the plant. Burgundy-colored leaves are the only feature of the variety. Plants like this one can become beautiful specimens in your home or garden with proper care and propagation! We will cover the basic care and propagation of these plants in this article.

An Overview of the Crassula Nudicaulis var. Platyphylla’ Burgundy

Platyphylla ‘ Burgundy’ is a variety of the crassula plant that has an attractive burgundy color to its leaves. A pigment called anthocyanins is responsible for this coloration. South Africa is the origin of the plant and is often referred to as Burgundy Jade.

Nudicaulis belongs to the Asphodelaceae family, in the Crassulaceae genus. It grows only to a height of 15 to 20 cm in the Crassula Platyphylla Burgundy. The plant doesn’t have a large root system and prefers to grow in tight clusters. It also has tiny, light green leaves with smooth edges that are triangular in form.

A Practical Guide To Caring For Crassula Platyphylla’ Burgundy’

Lighting and Sun Exposure

This plant is native to the warm, sunny areas of South Africa and grows best in a location with full sun. It will perform well in a variety of growing conditions including partial shade. This succulent can handle indoor conditions as long as there is no direct sunlight. It grows best in bright, indirect light.

Water Requirements

When caring for Crassula Platyphylla, it’s important to remember that it needs very little water. In fact, overwatering is one of the most common mistakes made when caring for this plant. A good way to tell if your Crassula Platyphylla needs water is to check the soil. If the top inch of soil feels dry, then it’s time to water your plant. You should water your plant in the morning, so the soil can dry by evening.

Soil

The Platyphylla prefers soil with good drainage. It is not particular as to what type of soil you choose, but it does require good drainage. The potting soil you choose should be lightweight, yet of good quality. Do not use any soilless potting media when growing Crassula Platyphylla as they will cause your plant to sit in water which is something that it cannot tolerate.

Temperature and Humidity

In general, the plant prefers a warm climate with moderate humidity. However, it can tolerate temperatures down to about 40 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity levels as low as 30 percent. To ensure your Crassula Platyphylla thrives, keep it in a warm, sunny spot with moderate humidity and water it sparingly.

Fertilizing

It is not necessary to fertilize Crassula Platyphylla, although feeding the plants every two weeks will encourage them to produce more red leaves. A commercial fertilizer developed for succulents and cacti with micronutrients or slow-release pellets is always preferable to liquid fertilizers because they are less likely to burn your plants’ roots.

Before applying the fertilizer, make sure it’s diluted because too much of it might hurt your plant. During the summer months, you may need to give extra feed to bigger containers, especially if there is little rain and the soil dries up rapidly. After fully watering, wait about ten minutes for nutrients to appear on the surface of the earth mix before applying fertilizer.

Repotting

Repotting The summer months are the finest time to repot a Crassula Platyphylla plant. When new growth begins, which is normally in late winter or early spring, repotting is necessary. For Crassula plants with limited growth area, the container should have around three inches of space. Healthy, active plants which will keep growing larger should be planted in six-inch pots.

Plants of Crassula Platyphylla are difficult to transplant, so take your time. Instead of squeezing it into an old clay plant container, use a plastic pot and fill it with dirt. When planting your Crassula, make sure the stem isn’t buried in the earth – keep at least 2 inches above the ground surface open for photosynthesis!

Make sure there is enough space between every leaf on top of the surface of the ground before repotting; this will let air circulate, preventing rot from forming due to excessive water retention. If roots near leaf axils contact, they should be carefully disentangled prior to replanting with sphagnum moss or charcoal added as a soil conditioner.

Pruning 

Pruning is a great technique to keep your plant looking healthy and beautiful. Any time the Crassula begins to grow larger than intended or becomes excessively lanky and “stringy,” it should be pruned. If these plants are not clipped, they will grow taller and broader in order to compete for sunlight.

  • Pruning facilitates branching in places where it would not normally develop in this succulent.
  • Allowing a portion of this development to continue can result in additional rosettes, which can be used to produce more Crassulaceae plants by subsequent cuts.
  • Remove the troublesome branch with sharp scissors from the root pair of stems that have grown into or threaten to grow into each other.
  • To deter pests like whiteflies and mealybugs, remove any wilting leaves from the plant and discard them.

Diseases and Pests 

Pests and illnesses aren’t a problem for Crassulas. Spider mites are a prevalent issue that may be treated using horticulture soap or a natural insecticidal soap such as neem oil. Infestations of spider mites appear on young plants as minute white spots on the leaves, which develop into tiny webs in the plant’s crevices. When you detect them, wipe them off gently with a moist towel before they cause any damage.

If you’ve previously had an infestation: At ground level, remove all damaged leaves from the plant. Using water, properly clean it. On the plant itself, apply a tiny quantity of horticultural soap or neem oil. If none of these oils are available, a diluted white vinegar solution may suffice.

Make sure to completely rinse the plant after using the soap to avoid any damage or mold formation. The easiest strategy to keep pests away from fresh plants is to wipe off all dust and dirt before bringing them home to use in your garden. When working with Crassula, it’s ideal if you make it a routine to check on open wounds on a regular basis. Inspect such areas for evidence of infestation.

How to Grow and Propagate Crassula Platyphylla Burgundy 

Cuttings from the main stem can be used to grow Crassula Nudicaulis var. Platyphylla’ Burgundy’. Simply remove all leaves from a cutting of at least one-inch length, except for two or three at the top. To help it keep moisture longer, place this cutting in a container filled with soil that has been mixed with perlite or vermiculite.

Keep it damp but not soggy, since this succulent plant can perish if it becomes too wet. Within six weeks, new roots should emerge, and when they are ready, carefully transplant them into their container. 

Leaf cuttings of Crassula Platyphylla’ Burgundy’ can also be reproduced by allowing them to callous over for a few days before planting them. This procedure is fairly similar to the last one. You may also reproduce the plant by using its seeds.

Fill a tray halfway with cactus soil and carefully sow seeds, taking care not to cover them with too much dirt at once or they may rot. For about half of each day, place the tray in an area that is gently sheltered from direct sunlight. Mist them often until the seedlings have developed long enough roots to reach a wet potting mix.

Fill separate pots with well-drained soil mix and transplant them. The germination period varies, but it normally takes two weeks if the succulent plants are kept warm for the first few days after planting.

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