Life would succ without succulents

Posts

Titanopsis calcarea

Titanopsis calcarea Today's post is about a very odd looking succulent, Titanopsis calcarea . Titanopsis calcarea also goes by ‘ Jewel plant ’, and ‘ concrete leaf ’- both of which I think describe it nicely! The warty appearance of the leaves look like limestone, making it well camouflaged in the rocky outcrops of South Africa it is found. As a small succulent (mine is only a couple of cm tall), it does not stand out. However, on close inspection Titanopsis calcarea is so unique, I am sure you will enjoy having one in your collection. The genus Titanopsis is small, containing ~10 species. The genus name Titanopsis is derived from the Ancient Greek words ‘titanos’(=limestone) and ‘opsis’ (=looks like), which sums up the genus perfectly. Calcarea is derived from the Latin for limestone, again referencing Titanopsis calcarea ’s appearance and habitat. My Titanopsis calcarea was a gift, however I have seen these plants online for ~£8. Care in...

Gasteria batesiana

Gasteria batesiana Today’s post is about the beautiful (but weird looking) Gasteria batesiana . Gasteria batesiana also goes by the name Gasteria ‘little warty’ AGM , and Ox-tongue . This thick and sturdy succulent has stiff leaves with raised bumps giving it an animal tongue like texture. Interestingly, Gasteria means stomach in latin, which is reference to the stomach like flowers this genus of plants produce. The batesiana part is named after George Latimer Bates, a botanist and entomologist who collected African specimens and sent them to the Natural History museum i n London. My Gasteria batesiana is pretty big (~10cm tall and ~15 cm wide) and when I bought it was quite flat, but the leaves have spread out as it’s grown which is nice. I picked up the Gasteria batesiana at my local garden centre for ~£6. Care instructions: Gasteria batesiana are very tolerant plants. They prefer temperatures of 5°C to 30°C, however, can tolerate as low as -1! If you plan o...

Sansevieria trifasciata & Update

Sansevieria trifasciata **This is my first post since the COVID-19 outbreak. I hope you are all okay. It is a scary time, most people are in lock down, essential workers (such as myself (I am a nurse)) are trying our best and each day the news gets bleaker. We are unable to see family members and friends; normal life has been turned upside down. However, I am endlessly amazed at the kindness and resilience people are showing. People seem to be enjoying little things more, gardening, talking to loved ones and a whole host of creative means of escapism. I cannot wait until this passes, and I will never take for granted a coffee with a friend or a hug with a family member ever again. Stay safe. ** Next I would like to update you on a few of my plants. Firstly, my Mammillaria elongata has bloomed, which is exciting. Lots of these flowers have budded up, with a few blossoming, which was a real treat after a hard week at work. Mammillaria elongata flower Secondly, my l...

Haworthia fasciata 'Big Band'

Haworthia fasciata “Big Band” Today’s post is about the succulent Haworthia fasciata “Big Band”. This plant has dark green leaves with lovely raised white stripey patterns, which look like frosting. Like lots of succulents, the Haworthia fasciata goes by a few names, such as Haworthiopsis attenuate ‘Big Band’ and Zebra plant ‘Big Band’. The Haworthia genus was named after the British botanist Adrain Haworth. Adrain was pretty cool, and as well as being a botanist, he was also an entomologist (the study of insects) and carcinologist (the study of crustaceans)! There are lots of ‘Zebra’ succulents that look similar, but what makes Haworthia fasciata “Big Band” stand out is how raised the white marks are. My Haworthia fasciata “Big Band” was a gift, so I am unsure of the price/where it was bought. Care instructions: Haworthia fasciata “Big Band” are pretty tolerant of a range of temperatures, preferring 10°C to 30°C. They can however tolerate much low...

Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’

Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’ Today’s post is about Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’ , commonly known as the Jade plant gollum . When I bought this plant, I had no idea what it was, so I googled ‘succulent that looks like shrek ears’…and guess what? Crassula ovata was the first answer that came up. So, I think it should also be called ‘ shrek plant ’. This is my second post on a Crassula, so for information about the genus/naming click here . Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’ is closely related to Crassula ovata agm known as the ‘friendship tree’ or ‘jade plant’ which I will do a blog post about in the future. Some people say Crassula ovata are lucky plants, and in my opinion, you can never have too much good luck, so I am a fan. What I love about Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’ is its weird tubular leaves, that in places appear to be wearing lipstick. There is also Crassula ovata ‘Hobbit’ which is very similar to Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’ , however the leaves are less ‘suction cap’ like...

Mammillaria elongata

Mammillaria elongata For post number 7, I have the magnificent Mammillaria elongata , commonly called the ‘Ladyfinger cactus’. This is a truly beautiful cactus, with tons of character (and spikes!). Mammillaria derives from the word nipple or teat! Carl Linnaeus named this genus in 1753 after the tubercles (round like nodules) sometimes found on these cacti. Carl was somewhat of an expert on naming things and is often called the ‘father of modern taxonomy’ (it was him who grouped humans with apes), so I begrudgingly accept his nipple naming of this un-nipple like plant. The name Mammillaria elongata makes slightly more sense knowing that ‘elongata’ means ‘longer’ or ‘elongated’. Mammillaria elongata , will forever be called the elongated nipple to me. The Mammillaria genus contains around 200 species of cactus, varying greatly from single stems to clumps, balls to columns, with stiff to hairy spines. I picked my Mammillaria elongata from my local ...