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Crassula cv. Baby Necklace

Family: CRASSULACEAE

Description

Crassula cv. Baby Necklace is one of the best crassula hybrids that was made by crossing Crassula perforata with Crassula rupestris var marnieriana. The resulting plant, commonly called “Baby’s Necklace” is a very hardy and ornamental plant with small, rounded leaves and usually greyish-green with rose blushing edges and resembles a string of beads like one would find on a necklace. These “bead strings” rarely branch stay compact and can grow to about 30 cm tall. The structural craziness of Crassula cv. Baby Necklace makes it a standout plant for any grower’s collection.

Leaves: Triangular to disc-shaped, fleshy, greyish-green, margined with rose-red in bright light. Leaves are arranged along the thin stem in opposing pairs, often so tightly stacked that the plant’s stem is nearly invisible between the leaves, with some resemblance to portions of a necklace.

Flowers: Small white in late spring-early summer.

Origin and Habitat

Garden origin, interspecific hybrid.

Cultivation and Propagation

Crassula cv. Baby Necklace is a an easy to care popular succulent grown also as a suspended plant. It does well in light homes between the windows too. Plant in a well-drained soil in full sun to light shade - needs some protection from midday heat in hot-locales but the brighter light brings out the red tones and plants will flower more. ‘Baby Necklace’ is one of the most unique crassula with vertical stacked thick leaves adorned on the edges with blushed pink it can be planted as a creeping groundcover, but will hang out of a basket nicely, too. Thanks to its slow growing habit and small size the Rosary Plant works well in dish gardens or succulent plant wreaths.

Soil: They will require a require very porous and rich compost soil with excellent drainage. In habitat, usually grow in rocky quartz fields.

Waterings: They need adequate watering during the growing period and only light application of water in winter so that the leaves do not shrivel unduly, as the plant can lose its roots if the soil stays cold and wet for extended periods. Fairly drought tolerant elsewhere.

Exposure: Requires good light to keep the plants compact and encourage leaf colour and flowering. The pruinose stem coatings of the plants in our collection sometime is not so intense as those of the plants in their natural habitat but the difference in coating is thought due to the higher humidity and less intense sunlight of our climate. It can handle half-day to ¾ day sun, or bright filtered light.

Hardiness: Lucky for cold clime growers, this plant is hardy and can even withstand a light freeze, but it is best to protect it from frost to prevent scarring. USDA Hardiness Zones 9-1

*Maintenance: After growing for some time the stems tend to become untidy and pendulous and should be cut very short or restarted from cuttings.

Pests and diseases: Crassulas are sensitive to mealybugs.

Propagation: Propagation of Crassula cv. Baby Necklace is easiest by rooting their stem cuttings. Bury the woody part of the branch in the soil and keep them slightly moist for the first few weeks.

Bibliography

Major references and further lectures

  1. Geoff Stein (palmbob) June 27, 2011 “The Stacked Crassulas- Introduction to these ornamental succulents” Read more: http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/1102/#ixzz3vLnkyfze

  2. Cycads.com, Jurassic Garden, A&A Cycads and Maurice Levin.“Crassula “Baby Necklace (Crassula perforata x Crassula rupestris var marnieriana)” - See more at: See more at: http://www.cycadpalm.com/crassula-perforata-x-crassula-rupestris-var-marnieriana-.html#sthash.kRWcK7Kr.dpuf

  3. Bonnie L. Grant “Worm Plant Care: How To Grow A Jade Necklace Worm Plant” - See more at: http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/jade-necklace/jade-necklace-worm-plant.htm

  4. Laura Z. “Growing Crassula Rupestris or Rosary Plants” - See more at: http://www.thegardenpages.com/crassula-rupestris.html

  5. Tabitha SukhaiThis Old House online “Crassula rupestris x perforata ‘Baby Necklace’” - See more at: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20215085\_20487949,00.html

  6. “Crassula rupestris ssp. rupestris x ssp. marnieriana variety tom thumb” See more at: http://www.succulents.us/crastomt.html