Tuzki of the succulent world: I don’t want to, ... grow up!

The aquamarine is definitely one of the most popular plants in the world. I think most people first knew about it because of the following picture that has been circulating on the Internet for a long time.

Image: g01.a.alicdn.com

The bunny ears wrapped in sugar and the cute soft candy shape have captured the hearts of countless succulent lovers. However, this "Tuzki" in the succulent world is not always so cute. The "dark" fact that I want to tell you today may subvert your perfect impression of the azure ring.

You are so succulent, why do you have a rabbit face?

The name "Monilaria obconica" sounds very high-sounding, of course, this is thanks to the Japanese. Domestic enthusiasts still like to call it "little rabbit". The scientific name of Monilaria obconica is Monilaria obconica, a perennial succulent plant of the genus Monilaria in the Aizoaceae family. It is native to the Richardsveld National Park in South Africa , located in the northwest corner of the Northern Cape Province near Namibia. Although the area is hot and dry all year round, it does not prevent it from becoming a paradise for many succulents including Monilaria obconica.

This is a world natural heritage site, and succulent plants are strictly protected. Image: Wiki

The cutest rabbit ears of the Asteraceae are actually its grass-green opposite leaves, which are highly fleshy , fused at the base, and bifurcated in a V shape at the top. A closer look reveals countless ice crystal-like particles on the leaves, which sparkle and sparkle in the sun. These are their special bubble cells , which store water and polysaccharides, greatly improving their ability to resist arid climates. Under conditions of large temperature differences and strong sunlight, the green rabbit ears will also become girly and turn into a delicate red.

As if covered with ice crystals. Image: g01.a.alicdn.com

The round rabbit faces are their tender stem segments . In fact, it is not accurate to call the Monilaria "little rabbits" because they can grow to a semi-shrub size of about 30cm . If you are lucky enough to meet an old "big rabbit", you can see their earthy yellow fleshy stems, stacked up like rosary beads. All plants in the genus Monilaria have this feature, and their genus name Monilaria comes from the Latin word monile, which means "rosary beads". Generally, they only grow one segment a year, so it is easy to judge the age of the segmented rabbit by the number of segments.

A group of rabbits, so cute. Image: g01.a.alicdn.com

I don't want to, ... grow up

Oh, the above seems harmless, but it is just to prepare you mentally. What follows is really destructive. Seeing that you like cute little rabbits, most businesses will use this as a gimmick to increase sales. The green halo rabbits seen on the market are usually annual seed-sown rabbits , about three or four centimeters long, with roots buried in the soil, and the remaining head with two ears, peeking out, can be cute for a while.

The little rabbit next to the old pile. Image: nabeya / Flickr

The good times don't last long. You will find that the ears of the rabbits that are well cared for grow upwards, up to 10cm long. WTF, has the rabbit become a noodle spirit? Especially when the ears droop due to lack of water, it is even more disgusting.

The rabbit spirit turned into a noodle spirit, which made many meat fans feel that it was a rip-off. Image: Pinterest

If there is a lack of water, the "ears" will droop. Illustration: Wing Wolf Elang

Is this caused by leggy growth? Of course not! The Green Ring is a succulent plant that grows in spring and autumn, and hibernates in the summer when the temperature is high. During the growth period, the V-shaped opposite leaves will grow longer and longer. This is a normal phenomenon . After a period of time, they will grow too long, and another pair of leaves will grow in the center of the V, growing in a cross-shaped manner with the original leaves. This is how the Green Ring continues to grow taller.

New opposing leaves emerge. Image: Winteryo / Flickr

During the dormant period, water and shade should be cut off.

This is nothing. The biggest blow to meat fans is that for a period of time in a year, the "rabbit" looks dead and has no ears . Newbies have to wonder: Do I have a fake green halo? In fact, under the stress of high temperature and drought in summer, the green halo will enter a dormant state, the noodle-like leaves will gradually wither and age, the rosary-shaped stem segments will also become shriveled, and the outside will be covered with an ugly earthy yellow film-like substance - all the ugliness is just to reduce nutrient consumption and water evaporation , and survive extreme weather.

Do you recognize what this is? Give me back my rabbit! Image: rugbysf / Flickr

During the dormant period, the water requirement of the green halo is very small. Too much water will easily cause the whole plant to rot. So don't do something with good intentions at this time. If you think it is about to die, you have to water it. Summer maintenance of the green halo is indeed a test for novices. In addition to cutting off water , you also need to provide proper shade , and most importantly, adjust your mentality. After autumn, the little rabbit will poke its head out from the top of the stem again to repay you for your care this summer.

As soon as the dormant period is over, the rabbits can't wait to come back. Photo: kura3.photozou.jp

The old rabbit with a new style

Old rabbits will form spectacular old piles. Especially during the dormant period, although they are not cute, they can trigger the aesthetic climax of root lovers : the mottled skin and strange shapes give people a solemn bonsai beauty. At present, the reproduction of the green light ring mainly relies on seed sowing and stem cuttings. Due to the low survival rate of cuttings and the slow process of seed sowing, old piles are hard to come by and the price is staggering.

Actually I think it looks like... like ginger... don't hit me... Image: blogs.c.yimg.jp

A newly emerged green halo. Image: forum.bcss.org.uk

Succulent doctor consultation

Many succulent lovers confuse Dicrocarpus with Dicrocaulon , probably because both have cute rabbit-shaped stems and leaves. In fact, they are different plants of the Aizoaceae family. Dicrocaulon is a general term for a type of succulent plant in the genus Dicrocaulon, which has about ten species. The genus name comes from the Greek, dicros means "fork" and caulon means "segment".

The branched apricot has thin dark brown stems with many branches and is usually woody. In its native South Africa, it tends to grow into a small shrub. They have forked opposite leaves of different shapes, some long like rabbit ears, some short like sugar beans, which are also very cute and popular among little girls.

D. ramulosum, a small bush rabbit. Image: davesgarden.com

Author of this article: Attack of the fleshy

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