Your succulent is unquestionably growing in what is known as a “cristate or crested form.” When the original plant experiences harm to the single, typical growing point, it produces many growing points. These all collide and create the wavy, fan-like shape. We are unable to identify the plant with certainty; we can only speculate that it is probably a type of echeveria because it is unable to develop in its typical shape, which is a single rosette. It appears that might be the case off the right side of the picture, but we can’t see it, that it will occasionally throw out a plant that has returned to normal. This will assist in locating the plant. In order to be safe, I would carefully unpot it and fill the pot with soil so you could repot it at a higher level. This will improve airflow around the base, where rot problems can frequently develop, and remove all the old, dead leaves from the soil, which can lead to a fungus problem. Other than that, you seem to be handling everything fairly well. You don’t want the soil to be moist for very long, which is what it appears to be a little bit. Water well when you do, but wait to do so until the soil has begun to dry up to approximately your first knuckle on your finger before doing so again. Keep it as bright as you can, even with a little sun.
What does a plant cresting signify?
Recently, I’ve seen numerous crested succulents on Facebook and Instagram. I struggled for a long time to comprehend what they were, how they differed, or why they were so intriguing. I find them to be extremely fascinating now that I’ve seen more of them and asked some questions!
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As the plant develops, a mutation known as cresting takes place. Instead of growing additional stems or branches, the plant flattens down and forms a broad, level surface. The leaves are extremely compact and typically grow along the top of the ridge of this vast growth. They are more unusual than their non-crested cousins because it is something that occurs naturally and cannot be forced.
In Mimi’s garden from I Dream of Succulents, I encountered my first crested succulent (that I’m aware of, at least). It was lovely to see this crested Aeonium “Starburst”!
I adore the smaller form of this plant that she kindly gave to me! I had never owned a crested succulent before. I still have it, but since it has a little sunburn, I’ll have to display it until it recovers. A crested “Topsy Turvy” that Rancho Garcia Nursery has for sale on Etsy caught my eye, and I immediately knew I needed to add it to my collection. They truly are fantastic!
If you want to buy some, I suggest going to CTS Airplants. There are several different types available.
When I was in Santa Barbara previously, I visited Seaside Gardens where I spotted a number of crested succulents (amazing place… definitely worth visiting). They possessed an incredible assortment of crested Aeoniums.
I discovered this tiny crested Sedum Angelina while perusing some cold-tolerant succulents I had planted at my parents’ place. I was overjoyed to see a succulent in my garden that crowned on its own. Since it was so tiny, I made the decision to pluck it out and put it in a pot so I could take care of it. I’m hoping that helps it perform a little bit better.
How wonderful are crested succulents? It’s wonderful to have a rare item in your collection, but uncommon plants are frequently too pricey to warrant buying. Despite being rather uncommon, crested succulents are inexpensive, making them the ideal addition to any succulent collection. Visit CTS Airplants and choose your choice there.
Why are my succulent plants sagging?
When they don’t receive enough sunshine, succulents swell out. The succulent will first begin to turn and bend in the direction of the light source.
As it grows, the leaves will spread farther apart, making the plant taller.
The leaves are often smaller and paler in color than usual. The succulent will typically turn green or lose the strength of its original color when it is not exposed to sunshine.
This Echeveria ‘Lola’ is beginning to bend toward the light, and it isn’t quite as colorful as it was when I took the photo for the post about top dressings.
The majority of the time, this will occur when succulents are cultivated indoors, but it can also occur outside when succulents are exposed to too much shadow.
How is a cactus crest formed?
When the cells in the developing stem start to divide outward rather than in the circular pattern of a typical cactus, cristate or “crested saguaros” are formed. This rare mutation causes a saguaro’s main stem or limbs to sprout a big fan-shaped crest at the growing tip.
Why are crested succulents so pricey?
The occurrence of cresting succulents is unusual, hence they are rare or special. Online prices show that they are more expensive than a typical succulent. However, because there are many of them available for purchase, perhaps we should just refer to them as odd. Aeonium “Sunburst” is frequently seen on websites that offer crested plants.
Even less water and fertilizer than is required for your regular succulents must be used when caring for crested or monstrous succulent plants. The best outcome for this unique development is to let nature take its course. Monstrous curiosities with crests are more prone to get rot and perhaps revert to regular growth, ruining the effect of the crest.
Naturally, you’ll want to give your odd plant special attention. It should be planted high in the container with the right soil mixture. If you’ve purchased or been given the opportunity to raise a crested succulent, learn about it and give it the care it needs.
How does a plant become fasciated?
Hormonal abnormalities in the meristematic cells of plants, which are cells capable of undergoing growth, can lead to fasciation.
[4]
[5] Random genetic mutations can also result in fasciation.
[6] Fasciitis can also be brought on by viral and bacterial illnesses. [4] The phytopathogen bacterium Numerous fasciated plants have tested negative for the bacteria Rhodococcus fascians in studies,[7] despite the fact that the bacteria has been shown to be one source of fasciation, such as in sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus) plant species. (Better source is required) So, bacterial infection is not the only cause.
Fungi, mite or insect attack, chemical exposure, and other environmental elements are other environmental causes that might result in fasciation.
[8] Fasciation can also be brought on by general injury to a plant’s growth tip[8] and exposure to cold and frost. [4] [6] The characteristic may be inherited by some plants, including peas and cockscomb Celosia. [8]
Fasciation is not contagious[4], but the bacteria that cause it can be transferred from infected plants to uninfected plants through water and contact with wounds on infected plants.
[9]
Fasciation is how frequent?
Over 100 larger plant families contain examples of fasciation, which has been seen in a very wide variety of taxa. But in the backyard garden, plants like strawberries, foxgloves, delphiniums, cacti, and succulents are especially prone to it.
How are slouching succulents fixed?
It consists of these four simple steps:
- Trim the stem to a length that will fit in your new pot.
- Get rid of any extra leaves beneath the main rosette.
- Dry everything for a couple of days.
- Replant your succulents and cactus in new potting soil.
Step One: Cut
If you have a longer stem to deal with, that will assist it get nicely anchored into your new pot. You may truly cut the stem anywhere and it will start to sprout roots out of the sides and bottom after you replant it. You can just nestle the succulent’s base deep into the earth for replanting, or you can use a stem as short as an inch. To create cuts like these, always use clean, sharp pruning shears. These pruning shears look to be an upgrade of the ones I’ve had for ten years and use every day and adore.
Step Two: Remove Excess Leaves
Remove any leaves that are below that in order to form a wonderful rosette formation, similar to what you presumably had when you initially purchased your succulents. Save those leaves because they may be planted in soil and will each produce a new succulent plant.
Step Three: Dry
Any cuts or cracks you create in a succulent should be left exposed for one to two days. This enables it to sort of scab over and guards against bacterial infections that may happen if the succulent is exposed to any excess moisture. If you place your freshly cut succulents directly into the potting mix without air drying first, chances are that they’ll probably still dry just fine, it will just take a few days longer for the cuts to heal over and you increase the risk of something going wrong just a little bit. But it’s up to you!
Step Four: Replant
Replanting your succulents into a fresh pot using cactus/succulent potting soil is the last step. This is quite simple. Simply poke a small hole with your finger and put the plant’s stem into the soil. The added benefit is that, while they adjust to their new surroundings, you don’t even need to water them for a week!
Can a cactus be forced to crest?
Is it possible to make a healthy plant become ceested or monstrous? Cacti Prevail! Damage to the growth point may result in a crest, but it usually leads to additional branches or heads.
Can you grow crested succulents from seed?
Unfortunately, growing a crested succulent from leaves or seeds is next to impossible. Even though cresting and monstrose succulents are caused by genetic flaws, the harm to the immature plant prevented these mutations from being passed forward.
Because the cresting-causing mutations are not passed down to the children, seeds from crested succulents will instead create a regular plant.
Cuttings from a crested plant are taken and grafted onto a new plant to produce crested succulents. The base plant, which supplies it with nutrition and stability, serves as support for the crested graft.
Succulents may they mutate?
The apical meristem’s form is altered by the growth mutation when the succulent is crested. In the region of active cell growth, you can see a line with a fan-like or crested growth instead of a single growth point. Every growth tip grows as though it is a dominant point when there are monstrous mutations because the local apical dominance is lost. This causes growth that is clumpy, disorganized, and knobby.
But succulents aren’t the only plants that can develop in a crested or monstrous way. In several genera of non-succulent plants, including many common garden plants, you can also discover crests.
Even if your plant is monstrous or crested, you can still cultivate it just like regular members of the same species. However, these plants have a propensity to be more sensitive and to crave a little more attention. This is one of the causes for the frequent growth of crested and monstrous plants as grafts. They continue to bear flowers and set seed, just like all other plants. However, since developed mutations are typically not passed on through seeds, cuttings are the most effective method of propagating these plants.
Almost typically, normal genetic diversity is the initial cause of color variance in succulents. Due of their mutation, variegated succulents are even chosen and grown larger throughout cultivation. Due to the tendency of variegated tissues to be weaker and more vulnerable to insects, sunburns, limited photosynthetic capacities under low light circumstances, and bacterial and fungal diseases, most variegates are removed in the wild. These plants can perform admirably and make wonderful interior and outdoor plants when grown in the correct conditions.
The absence of chlorophyll in the leaf portion is typically the source of variegation. This may result in the tissue developing a yellow or white band, streak, or mottling. Sometimes pigments that generate darker hues, such as purples and reds, and obscure the chlorophyll pigments cause plants to variegate. Variegation comes in two different forms. Medio-variegation is the term used to describe a streak down the center of a leaf. Margin-variation is one that shows up on the sides of the leaves.
What succulent variety is the rarest?
The vivid purple trailing stalks are the first thing that will astound you. It also goes by the name “Little Pickles,” and its remarkable foliage, with its bean-like form, goes well with the vibrant stems. Yellow, daisy-like flowers are borne on red stalks that rise above the plant.
Living Rock Cactus
The stems have a rounded top and appear to have been crushed by force. The yellowish-green stem can reach heights of 8 to 10 inches and widths of 10 to 12 inches. The white blossoms that cover the entire succulent are gorgeous, despite the strange curvature of the stems.
Crinkle Leaf Plant
The wrinkled leaves appear to be covered in ash because they are fully covered with microscopic white hairs. Long stems that can be 8 to 10 inches long bear reddish-white tubular blooms. Small stature makes it ideal for home gardens and little rockeries.
Living Pebbles
This slow-growing member of the Mesebrianthemaceae family resembles lithops and is slow-growing. The stems are clumped together and rather spherical in shape. Over the body, there are dotted patterns with a split in the middle from which the flower emerges.
Plover Eggs
This branching succulent won’t grow much tall but can grow to a span of 15-20 cms. The leaves have dark purple markings all over them and are flat, wavy, and broad at the edges. They are thin at the base. Pink flowers grow on the 10 to 14-inch-tall inflorescence.
Baby Toes
Due to its similarity to tiny rocks and stubby baby toes, this member of the lithops family is also known as living stones. It is quite simple to multiply by separating the leaves from their clumps. Like a sunflower, the lovely white blooms move with the sun.
Sand Dollar Cactus
This cactus has no spines and grows to a height of 2 to 3 inches. The number of ribs on the stem ranges from 5 to 11. The stems have yellow flowers, which are followed by fruit that is covered in hair and can be green, pink, or red.
Baseball Plant
It gets its name because while it’s young, its shape is practically spherical and looks like a baseball. Additionally, the 8 to 10 ribs that comprise its structure appear to be stitched together. It matures to a more dome-shaped shape and grows to a height of 8 inches.
Paper Spine Cactus
Due to the delicate, papery spines that encircle the knobby stems, this cactus earned its name. From a distance, the way these spines curve up gives it the impression of a ribbon. Further enhancing its appeal are its white bell-shaped flowers with a golden throat.
Calico Hearts
It stands out due to the scattered reddish-purple streaks on the succulent leaves of the calico hearts. The edges of the gray-green leaves are heavily veined with red. Additionally, its distinctive leaves accompanied by summertime tube-shaped flowers can win anyone over.
Star Window Plant
This succulent is frequently mistaken for aloe because of its luscious, dark-green leaves. The star window succulent has variegated leaves with pointed, pointy tips. Up to 4-inches wide, these jelly-like leaves are arranged in a rosette arrangement that resembles stars.
Rainbow Hedgehog Cactus
The summertime blooms of the rainbow cactus, which are magenta and pink, are like a tasty delight. The stem is coated in bands of naturally curving, glossy pink spines. Additionally, as it matures, the pink tint of these spines fades and turns yellow.
Vahondrandra
This aloe is extremely rare and a critically endangered species that is native to Madagascar. Under water stress, Aloe helenae’s recurved green leaves turn crimson. The magnificent inflorescence of this aloe finally gives way to hundreds of smaller blooms.
Ariocarpus bravoanus
The dark green and triangular tubercles of the Mexican plant Ariocarpu give it the appearance of a rosette. Its cream-colored wooly areoles, on top of the lovely rosettes, are even more striking. Its funnel-shaped blossoms, however, further enhance its beauty.
White Ocotillo
The ocotillo’s woody caudex, which is covered with copper-colored spines and has green leaves, makes it the most alluring of the bunch. This succulent resembles a hybrid of a bonsai and a cactus. In the spring, it also produces red flowers that resemble tubes. One of the threatened species is this unique succulent.
Aloinopsis luckhoffii
Aloinopsis luckhoffii, a little succulent with a mature size of 3 inches, is indigenous to South Africa. The thick, angular leaves are light grass green, blue-green, or dark purple, and feature bumpy, gray-white markings. It thrives in direct sunlight.
Echeveria gibbiflora ‘Barbillion’
“Barbillion” produces a rosette of highly carunculated leaves that is 14–18 inches across. This succulent’s capacity to alter shape and color throughout the season is an intriguing characteristic. Do not overwater as this can cause fungus illnesses.
Pies from Heaven
This lovely succulent, which is native to Southwest Itampolo, Madagascar, has woody, slender upright stems covered in long hair and produces delicate, fleshy, slightly furry silver-green leaves with brown markings. Grow the plant in areas that are well-lit and sunny.
Pebbled Tiger Jaws
The dark-green to gray-green, boat-shaped leaves of “Pebbled Tiger Jaws” grow in tight, peculiar clumps. The surface of the leaves is either crystal-free or has white patches on the outer walls. It produces daisy-like, yellow to orange blooms.
Pig’s Ear Plant
This robust succulent is indigenous to South Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. The thick, oval leaves with crimson edges resemble pig’s ears. Bell-shaped yellow, orange, or red flowers in late summer or early fall make the plant appear more beautiful.
Albuca Spiralis ‘Frizzle Sizzle’
The song “Frizzle Sizzle” comes from South Africa. This succulent resembles spiral grass and has thin leaves with twisted, coiling tips. The subterranean bulb gives rise to the tightly curled leaves. The plant blooms with sweet yellow flowers in the spring.
Peruvian Old Lady Cactus
Espostoa melanostele possesses an abundance of long, woolly spines, including sharp yellow or red spines, that cover the entire body of the plant at a relatively young age. It also produces berries-like fruits that are edible.
Adenia glauca
Adenia glauca is a rare caudiciform succulent that has a beautiful green trunk and leaves that range in color from pale gray-green to glaucous. The plant displays creme-colored flowers in the spring.
Sea Dragon
It gains its name from the bumps and ruffles and forms a lovely rosette in shades ranging from gray to red-green. Keep it in bright sunlight and it’ll continue to amaze you with its wavy foliage! One of those extremely rare and distinctive succulents!