How is the Crassula Buddha Temple cared for?

The Crassula Buddha Temple is an ideal succulent plant to decorate the interior of the home, or to have in the collection of succulents. It reaches a height of about 15cm, so it can live throughout its life in a pot.

But, what care does this strange and beautiful plant require? It is not easy to find it in nurseries, and when you finally get it, you may have many doubts about watering, location and/ or compost. If that has happened to you, don’t worry. Follow our advice and you will see how your Buddha Temple will grow wonderfully.

Characteristics of the Crassula Buddha Temple

Our protagonist is a plant that was obtained by crossing Crassula pyramidalis with Crassula perfoliata var. minor. It is known by the name of Crasula Buddha Temple or, in English, Crassula ‘Buddha’s Temple’, and its appearance is very reminiscent of Buddhist temples.

It is characterized by having a geometric shape, stacking its four leaves in the shape of a cross. Over time it tends to produce suckers, which can be separated and planted in other pots. It reaches a maximum height of about 15 centimeters. The flowers are very tiny, pinkish-white in color, and sprout at the top of each stem.

How is it cared for?

If you want to have one or more copies, here is how to take care of it:

Location

It is a non-cactus succulent that can be both outdoors in full sun and indoors in a room with plenty of natural light. In any case, it is important that you know that if they had it in a protected area and you want to put it in an exposed area, you should get used to it little by little and gradually.

Substratum

It must have very good drainage. You can mix universal growing medium with perlite in equal parts, or choose to plant it in pomx or river sand. It is a plant that fears waterlogging, and does not like the soil to compact (which can happen to black peat).

Related article:How to improve the drainage of a pot

For this reason, in addition, it is not advisable to plant it in the garden, unless you have a porous soil capable of absorbing and draining water quickly.

Irrigation

Rather rare. It is necessary to water only when the substrate is completely dry. During the winter, it is advisable to water every 15 or 20 days, and the rest of the year once or twice a week.

Subscriber

Image – Cactusplaza.com

Not only is water vital to the Crasula Buddha Temple, so is ‘food’. During spring and summer, it must be paid with a mineral fertilizer for cacti and succulents following the instructions specified on the package. Of these fertilizers you will see that they are sold in liquid format and in granules. The former are more suitable for potted plants, since they do not interfere at all with the drainage capacity of the substrate; on the other hand, granules are more advisable for those that are in the garden.

You can get a liquid succulent compost here and a granulated one here.

Transplant

Every two years in spring. Once it reaches its final size, it can be left in the same pot as long as it is fertilized regularly; otherwise, you will need new substrate every 2-3 years.

Multiplication

The Crassula Templo de Buda multiplies only by suckers in spring or summer, as it does not produce seeds. The way to proceed is as follows:

First, you have to wait for the sucker to reach a size that allows you to handle it easily.
Then, separate it from the mother plant with the help of a previously disinfected knife or with scissors -also disinfected-.
Then, let the sucker’s wound dry for a week, putting it in an area protected from the sun and rain.
After that time, impregnate its base with homemade rooters and plant it in a pot with pomx, akadama or similar.
Finally, place the pot outside, in semi-shade.

Keeping the substrate moist (but not flooded), it will emit roots in about 15 days.

Plagues and diseases

In general, it is quite resistant. However, if the care or the climate is not the most suitable, it can be affected by mealybugs if the environment is very dry and warm, or by fungi if, on the contrary, it is very humid or is being watered excessively.

With respect to the first, you can remove them with a brush or if you prefer with potassium soap or diatomaceous earth, but in cases of excess watering or high humidity it is very important that the substrate has excellent drainage and that it is watered little. If you live in an area where it rains frequently, keep it indoors in a bright room without drafts. Also do preventive treatments with fungicide.

Rusticity

It supports frosts down to -2ºC as long as they are punctual and short-lived, although it lives better in hot climates with temperatures above 0 degrees.