Crassula

Dimples

‘Dimples’ - a Crassula ‘Morgan’s Beauty’ mutation

by Rudolf Schulz in ASRAN, P. 11, Vol. 5, No. 2 May 1995

Several years ago a white flowering form of Crassula ‘Morgan’s Beauty’ appeared in a tray of leaf propagated normal pink flowering plants grown at Tarrington Exotics Nursery. It was propagated and proved stable. Recently a single offset from a white flowering plant developed much thicker leaves. This offset was propagated and has shown itself to be as fast growing and easy as the “original”. It can only reliably be propagated from offsets, as leaf cuttings will mostly produce reversions to the thinner normal form.

 

The leaves of what for a better name shall be called Crassula ‘Dimples’ are characterized by having one or two dimples on the side of the leaves as a result of their development in the crown of the plant where they are so compressed that the sides are somewhat folded over the next set of leaves. As the leaves expand, they usually still have one or two dimples remaining.

 

Like all Crassula mesembryanthemopsis hybrids, C. ‘Dimples’ is sensitive to fungal infection. This manifests itself as a rust-like discoloration and is linked to high humidity. Avoid wetting the leaves, especially in the evening and grow plants in an airy location low in humidity. A layer of quartz gravel between the potting mix and lower leaves helps keep them clean and reduces any capillary water movement from mix to leaves. An infrequent heavy watering is preferable to light frequent watering.

 

Photo Noelene Tomlinson

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