Crassula perforata subsp. kougaensis | Kouga Crassula
€7,95
🌱 Morphology
Perennial succulent, small, slow-growing and with a trailing habit, forming small clusters approximately 8–15 cm tall and 4–8 cm wide. The stems are flexible, slender, and highly branched, initially clinging to the rocky surface and subsequently trailing. The leaves are opposite and decussate, persistent, ovate to broadly ovate, about 8–10 mm long, with the base fused around the stem. Consecutive leaf pairs are densely imbricated, forming a characteristic four-angled column. The surface is smooth, grayish-green to bluish-green, with a fine waxy layer; the margins are reddish or purple and feature a row of hydathodes. During dry periods, the plant may acquire an intense reddish-purple hue.
🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
Endemic to South Africa, mainly in the Kouga and Outeniqua mountains, in the Eastern Cape province. It grows on ledges and crevices of quartzitic sandstone walls of the Peninsula Formation, generally on exposed surfaces facing north and west, up to about 700 m in altitude. It lives firmly in small crevices, often with an extremely scarce mineral substrate. It belongs to the Crassulaceae family. Its name kougaensis refers to the Kouga River, where it was discovered and described in 2009.
❄️ Temperature · USDA Zone 9b–11b
It is a semi-arid climate plant that in its habitat withstands hot summers, with temperatures that can reach approximately 40 °C. Winters are cooler, but frost is rare in its known localities. In cultivation, it tolerates moderate temperature drops when kept dry, but it is recommended to protect it from prolonged frost and especially to avoid the combination of cold and wet substrate.
☀️ Lighting
High lighting is recommended, approximately 15–25 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ of DLI PAR as a target guide. In nature, it grows even on exposed and sunny rock walls, so it tolerates direct sun when acclimated. Intense lighting promotes compact growth and the characteristic reddish or purple coloration during dry periods. In episodes of extreme heat, it may be advisable to partially filter the radiation during the central hours and maintain excellent ventilation.
💧 Growth cycle and irrigation
Its habitat receives rainfall in both winter and summer, so it does not have a rigid summer dormancy cycle that must be imposed in cultivation. Growth is slow and can continue during different seasons when temperatures and water availability are favorable. During periods of activity, it is recommended to water abundantly and allow the substrate to dry out completely before the next watering. In episodes of extreme heat, irrigation should be spaced out, as the plant may temporarily slow down its metabolism. During winter, if temperatures are low, it is recommended to keep it practically dry.
🌸 Flowering
It produces a compact terminal inflorescence, rounded to elongated in shape, approximately 6–10 mm in diameter. The flowers are tubular, small, about 3.5 mm in diameter, with pale yellow petals and yellow anthers. In its habitat, flowering occurs mainly from mid-summer to southern autumn, approximately from January to May. In Spain, it can be expected approximately between July and November, although the date may vary depending on temperatures and the cultivation cycle.
🌿 Nutrition
During periods of active growth, Desert CHOICE® Succulents is recommended. Before flowering, it can be supplemented with Desert CHOICE® Flowering to promote inflorescence development.
This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a technological square pot and with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi.
9x9 cm pot
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