For September. 1923 



221 



Crassulaceae, Their Propagation and Care for the 



Window Garden 



DR. E. BADE 



ALTHOUGH the thick leaved Crassulaceae are the 

 children of the sun, Nature nevertheless exposes 

 them to the extreme conditions prevalent in deserts, 

 steppes, mountain regions, and the alpine heights. For this 

 reason the greater part of the plants have been forced to 

 assume curious shai^es. The most common formation found 

 is that of the rosette where all the leaves are succulent and 

 secrete slime, and a gelatinous rubberlike mass which pro- 

 tects the plants from herbivorous animals, and since much 

 salt is also found in them the evaporation of the water, 

 which was taken ii; during the rainy season, is prevented. 



Notchin, 



cins of Bryopliylhiin calvciiiuni for prn/'agation 



A lessening of the leaf surface, which also tends to pre- 

 vent rapid evaporation, is attained by these thick leaves. 

 To arrive at the conclusion that thick leaved plants 

 should be kept as dry as possible is completely false. They 

 should be regularly watered during their period of 

 growth. In Winter, their season of rest, they are only 

 watered when it becomes absolutely necessary, and then 

 they are given only enough to keep the leaves from with- 



Somc time later small roots and leaves will make their appearance 



ering. During these months they do not require much 

 light and heat, and may, for convenience, be placed near 

 a cellar window where the frost can not reach them. 



In Spring, when the period of growth begins they 

 must be graduallv accustomed to the sunlight. Thev 

 should never be taken from their \\'inter quarters and 



placed into the direct ra\s of the sun, for then the leaves 

 would only be burned. 



These plants are exceptionally unassuming and require 

 but little personal attention. For this reason they are 

 especially fitted for the window garden, the peculiar form 

 alone making them very attractive. The young plants 

 should be transplanted every Spring while the older 

 plants need only be repotted every third or fourth year. 

 Since tbey have very few roots, relativelv small flower 



Covcriii-^ the thi:^;-i- p,>t zvith a glass plate to keep the temperature 

 and moisture as uniform as possible 



pots should be used. Before placing the plant into the 

 receptacle, the vent should receive a good foundation of 

 broken potsherds. This will aid in removing the surplus 

 water The plants are satisfied with any sandy soil, al- 

 though they do not bloom in it. If they are to produce 

 flowers, they should be placed into a rich limv soil mixed 

 with a little clay and sand. 



^f ^ 



After a few weeks the young plants can be transplanted 



Since the majority of Crassulaceje multiply themselves 

 more easily with runners than they do through seeds we 

 need not expect any other method. An interesting and 

 unique way of propagation is shown by a member of this 

 family, namely Crv-ophyllum calycinum which produces 

 small plants on its leaves. After one of the leaves of this 

 plant has been broken oiT near the petiole, and the place of 

 parting ha? been well dried, the veins must be notched. 

 (Coi'liiiucd oil t'Oi^r 2-10) 



