Kebab bush - 20 seeds
Kebab bush - 20 seeds
Crassula rupestris - The beauty of this plant lies in its very attractive leaf shape and markings. In summer the leaf margins take on red and yellow hues. This plant is a much-branched, succulent, perennial shrublet. The stems are thin, fleshy near the growing tip, but rather woody lower down. Leaves are opposite, ovate and lanceolate in shape. Flowers are grouped in clusters at the apex (growing point). The flower color ranges from deep pink to pale pink. Flowers are borne June to September.
his can be accomplished either by cuttings or seed. If one wishes to propagate by cuttings, it is advisable to harvest material in early autumn (April, southern hemisphere). The reason for this is that the plant is probably at its driest. In horticultural terms, this is ideal in that most of the sap has dropped and the plant can easily be struck (grown) as a cutting.
Once the cutting is taken, allow it to "dry out" for one week. The cutting should be 100-150 mm in length. Ensure the cutting is healthy and not diseased. Use a sharp knife or high-quality secateurs to take the cutting. Use sharp, good quality river sand to strike the cuttings. One can use low, intermittent misters. A misting four times a day in April should suffice. Ensure the area where the cuttings are placed to root, is well ventilated and there is enough natural light (approx 50%). The cuttings should, under the right conditions, root within two to three months. Rooting is a lot slower than in other Crassula species due to the woody growth of the plant. Plant out in one-pint bags. Use sandy loam with a very well-rotted compost. Move to a sunny location. By October/November the plants should be strong enough to be planted in a pot.
Seeds are borne in September and October of each year (southern hemisphere). Collect the seed once ripe. The seeds are very fine. They almost resemble petunia or begonia seeds. Sow the seed in March/April/May. The seed must be sown on the soil surface. Do not bury the seed. The seeds are too fine for this and will battle to emerge though the thick blanket of soil. Rather scatter some coarsely sieved sand granules over the seed. These sand granules will prevent the seed from blowing away or being washed out when watering. The soil medium in the flat sowing pan must be well-drained loam. Keep moist and well ventilated. Give plenty of light. The seeds will germinate in two to four weeks. In most cases only plant these young seedlings out in April of the following year. Prick out carefully without damaging the roots and plant into one-pint bags or 9 cm pots. Move to a sunny location.