Dudleya brittonii (Giant Chalk Dudleya) is an evergreen succulent with gorgeous solitary rosettes, 12-18 in. wide (30-45 cm), of spoon-shaped, white to silver-gray leaves. The fleshy leaves are covered with a heavy coat of chalky powder than can be rubbed off. In late winter to spring, it sends up 1-2 ft. tall (30-45 cm) bright pink-red stems which bear clusters of urn-shaped, pale yellow flowers.
How to Grow and Care
Water: Dudleyas are known to be happy in a dry climate. Unlike cacti native to the South American highlands and the Amazon forest, they will require far much lesser watering.
Sunlight: Ever wondered why the ‘LiveLong’ succulents have a chalky appearance? The plants love rays from the sun and should be left out for as long as the sun shines. The chalky appearance is useful when you overdo the sunshine exposure.
Soil: The perfect soil mix for dudleya succulents is one that drains excessive water in the fastest way possible. Just like any other cactus plant, its roots are shallow. Too much watering weakens the roots. Rotting roots are also common phenomena of too much water. Conversely, dudleyas will require little watering after all.
Temperature: Think about California and the scorching heat is wholly evident in your mind. To the grower, high temperatures can be an issue but not for a dudleya plant. They thrive in areas where the heat can be as high as what Californians live under.
Propagation
Dudleya seeds are small, almost dust-like, but seedlings can be quick (1-2 years) to grow full sized rosettes. Hybrids are occasionally seen where two species bloom together. The species which branch can be easily propagated from cuttings in the fall or winter. The species which do not branch can be forced by coring.
No Dudleyas outside the Hasseanthus group can be propagated from leaves. That group is said to bloom at 5 months of age with good greenhouse care, and lose its living leaves in the spring. The other plants in the genus may bloom within their first year from seed, provided nursery care.
- Scientific Name: Dudleya brittonii D. A. Johans.
- Common Names: Giant Chalk Dudleya, Britton's Dudleya, Silver Dollar Plant
- Family: Crassulaceae
- Subfamily: Sedoideae
- Tribe: Sedeae
- Subtribe: Sedinae
- Genus: Dudleya
 |
| source pic: richardshiell.photoshelter.com |
How to Grow and Care
Water: Dudleyas are known to be happy in a dry climate. Unlike cacti native to the South American highlands and the Amazon forest, they will require far much lesser watering.
Sunlight: Ever wondered why the ‘LiveLong’ succulents have a chalky appearance? The plants love rays from the sun and should be left out for as long as the sun shines. The chalky appearance is useful when you overdo the sunshine exposure.
Soil: The perfect soil mix for dudleya succulents is one that drains excessive water in the fastest way possible. Just like any other cactus plant, its roots are shallow. Too much watering weakens the roots. Rotting roots are also common phenomena of too much water. Conversely, dudleyas will require little watering after all.
Temperature: Think about California and the scorching heat is wholly evident in your mind. To the grower, high temperatures can be an issue but not for a dudleya plant. They thrive in areas where the heat can be as high as what Californians live under.
Propagation
Dudleya seeds are small, almost dust-like, but seedlings can be quick (1-2 years) to grow full sized rosettes. Hybrids are occasionally seen where two species bloom together. The species which branch can be easily propagated from cuttings in the fall or winter. The species which do not branch can be forced by coring.
No Dudleyas outside the Hasseanthus group can be propagated from leaves. That group is said to bloom at 5 months of age with good greenhouse care, and lose its living leaves in the spring. The other plants in the genus may bloom within their first year from seed, provided nursery care.
 |
| Photo credit Drew Raff |
){kind=link}