Crassula Ovata Gollum also known as ogre ear succulent is a plant variety of the Jade plant. The Gollum jade is native to South Africa and Mozambique.
Crassula Ovata Gollum grows the healthiest in bright sunlight, airy conditions, and sandy soil type.
This species of the Jade plant is quite fascinating since the money plant gets assigned different names based on its leaf shape.
Crassula Ovata Gollum in particular has red-tinged, tubular leaves, which resemble elongated suction cups. It grows up to 80 cm in height. During winter, the plant blooms with pinkish-white star-shaped flowers having pink stamens.
Crassula Ovata Gollum is overall a great outdoor as well as an indoor plant. Its presence enhances the overall beauty of the place. Moreover, like any other succulent, it has low maintenance and is easy to grow.
Recognition of Gollum jade
The most unique and tempting feature of the Crassula Ovata Gollum is its leaves.
Hence, if you are wondering how to distinguish the Gollum jade from other Crassula Ovata plants then think no more!
Your query will be greatly helped with the following information.
How to identify Crassula Ovata Gollum?
Once you have decided to purchase a Gollum jade now you need to know how to distinguish your interest from other similar varieties of the Jade plant.
At the nursery or online botanical shops, we will be rightly guided but still for our knowledge we need to know how to recognize the Crassula Ovata Gollum.
For that, we need to first look at its tubular leaves. They need to look like elongated suction pipes ( or simply like trumpets, hence, the name Trumpet Jade) with concave reddish ends. The reddish ends are more prominent in cooler weather.
If you find that the Jade plant has tubular oval-shaped leaves and curled reddish edges then we call it the Hobbit Jade plant or Crassula Ovata Hobbit.
If your Crassula Ovata had slender like tubular leaves then we call it Finger Jade plant or Crassula Ovata Skinny Fingers.
But all of them are money plants and equally fascinating and vibrant. Purchasing one will undoubtedly add uniqueness to one’s place.
Safekeeping of the Gollum jade
Wondering? How to properly take care of your Crassula Ovata Gollum?
Then do not worry as Crassula Ovata Gollum care is as simple and easy as the care for other succulents.
Although there are certain points to be checked for proper Gollum jade care, this will be discussed as follows-
Sunlight
The Crassula Ovata Gollum grows happily in bright sunlight.
As the succulent is both an indoor and outdoor plant. Therefore, it can be potted at both places.
For an indoor plant, we need to place the pot in a bright place preferably near an east-facing window. This also ensures the filtering of the light to a certain extent because of the glass pane as direct sunlight may lead to sunburn.
For outdoor plants, we need to place the pot in a bright area with shade on or we can also acclimatize the plant.
Overall, the plant requires the utmost 4-6 hours of daily sunlight.
The pinkish tint of the concaved and curled ends and the dark green color of the succulent is due to the optimum sunlight exposure.
Watering
Soggy soil is not what the Gollum jade requires for its healthier and more vibrant growth.
The soil is required to be dry enough for the watering to be done.
For dry weather conditions, weekly watering is recommended. But for cooler and moist weather conditions, twice a month watering is recommended.
You can use a hygrometer to check the moisture content of the dirt.
Soiling
Sandy and well drainage soil is the most suited soil type required for the plant.
Having an ideal soil type is not enough we also need to look after the ideal water requirements.
Temperature
The succulent belongs to the arid region, where we have a hotter days and cooler nights.
A similar kind of temperature condition is required by the Crassula Ovata Gollum for healthy growth.
Hence, maintaining a cooler temperature of about 55F-65F at night and supplying bright sunlight to the succulent in the daytime helps to mimic the natural habitat.
I hope the above points and explanation cleared all your doubts regarding how to care for Crassula Ovata Gollum.
Potting
For efficient potting of the Crassula Ovata Gollum, we need to check for the soil requirements.
The ideal soil type for the succulent is good drainage sandy soil.
We can purchase from nurseries or online botanical shops.
We can even DIY!
DIY
For preparing the soil we need to mix a 1:1:1 ratio of the cactus mix, perlite, and coarse sand. This proportional mix gives us the ideal Gollum jade soil type.
But we can also use the 2:1 ratio of cactus mix and perlite soil type. This mixture has optimum drainage properties.
For added drainage property we can use a 2:1 ratio of the cactus mix and coarse sand.
The pot should be of a size slightly larger than the diameter of the plant.
The above technique is the same for all jade plants and Crassula Ovata varieties.
If you are wondering how to pot a hobbit Crassula Ovata Gollum jade then the above procedure is what you need to follow.
Re-potting
Re-potting of the Crassula Ovata Gollum is done once in 2-3 years, especially during the beginning stage of spring.
Before re-potting make sure the soil is dry. Carefully, remove the plant and wipe off all the dirt from the plant. Now place the Crassula Ovata Gollum in a new pot with a fresh ideal soil mix and then spread its roots.
This re-potting method is almost the same for all the Jade plant varieties. So if you were wondering how to replant a jade plant then the above procedure is what you need to follow!
Reproduction of the Gollum jade
Wondering how to propagate Crassula Ovata Gollum?
In order, to save a dying plant or to obtain more of its kind propagating Gollum jade is the best choice. What is the procedure for successful Crassula Ovata Gollum propagation?
Stem cutting is the best way to carry on with the propagation. We can also do the propagation by leaf-cutting but it has a lower success rate.
Stem propagation
For successful propagation using the stem, we need a small portion of the stem of a healthy-looking Crassula Ovata Gollum jade plant and then wait for the cutting to completely dry and heal.
Now place the cutting in a prepared or bought soil mixture suitable for the Crassula Ovata Gollum healthier growth.
Water the cutting when the soil seems dry. Avoid placing the pot in direct sunlight as it may not support successful propagation.
After a few weeks, we can witness the growth of baby roots which after a much longer period becomes completely rooted.
Now the Crassula Ovata Gollum is ready to have bright sunlight and regular weekly watering.
Note- For faster growth of your succulent you can make use of growth hormones but it is recommended to stick to the natural procedure.
Leaf propagation
Gently pull out the leaf in a slightly twisted manner to make sure the entire leaf along with the base is plucked.
Dry and heal the leaves before continuing with the procedure. Place the leaves on the soil mixture prepared or bought.
In 1-2 weeks baby roots are witnessed and in a few more weeks the baby Crassula Ovata Gollum plant is welcomed.
Note
The growth hormone can be used to enhance the Gollum jade growth rate.
It is advised to pluck many leaves as the success rate of leaf-cutting is lower than the stem-cutting and not all leaves will make it to the end.
Read more about growing succulents from seed here.
The flowering of the succulent
The Crassula Ovata Gollum preferably blooms during winter. The Gollum jade plant flowers are star-shaped and pinkish-white in color.
The Crassula Ovata Gollum flower is a treat to watch but making this plant bloom indoors is more difficult than outdoors. But, in general, we need to keep certain points in our minds for successful blooming.
Maturity
Look, expecting your 1-year-old Gollum jade to bloom is useless. The succulent enters the reproductive phase in about 3-3.5 years so that period is most suitable for the succulent to bloom.
Hence, we can say that the succulent gets mature in about 3 years, and in about 1-2 months it also enters the reproductive phase thereby reaching the blooming stage sooner.
Sunlight
Bright filtered sunlight is the most suited for a healthy Gollum jade plant and better efficient growth.
Even during the blooming weather condition, which is the winter, a supply of 4-6 hours of daily filtered sunlight should be maintained.
Temperature
As mentioned above, mimicking the natural habitat is quite required for the ideal growth of the succulent.
This also is required for the ideal blooming with healthy and vibrant flowers.
Colder conditions
The Crassula Ovata Gollum blooms in winter after reaching maturity.
Now, for increasing the chance of blooming of your mature succulent keep them dry and decrease the temperature to about 45F.
Fertilize
Utilizing a chemical approach, we can use fertilizers. These not only help to grow succulents faster but also help it to successfully bloom.
Now blooming outdoors is quite easy for the plant.
But, if by chance your plant fails to bloom indoors then you can make it bloom by placing it in the coldest part of your house and try to keep it dry. This may increase the blooming chances of the Gollum jade.
Problems and Solutions
Losing leaves
Crassula Ovata Gollum dropping leaves is an indication of inadequate sunlight.
Immediately, place the succulent in a bright sunny area. If by any chance, you are unable to do so then buy grow lights.
Maintaining 4-6 hours of optimum sunlight is always recommended for healthy growth and the Gollum jade leaves falling off condition can be prevented.
Wrinkling
Crassula Ovata Gollum wrinkling is a sign of over-watering.
So, if you see your Gollum jade wrinkled then avoid watering it till the soil is dry.
Succulents are good at thriving without water since they are natives of the arid region so do not worry there are rare chances of you under-watering your succulent rather than over-watering it.
Shriveling
Neglecting your watering schedule lately? And now your Crassula Ovata Gollum shriveled state made you think whether you almost killed your succulent or not.
Do not worry, just water the plant till the soil is quite moist, and then switch back to your weekly watering schedule. This time, avoid skipping it.
Here is a list of all common succulents problem.
Pests Control
Crassula Ovata Gollum is more prone to the attack of mealybugs and spider mites.
When the succulent is grown outdoors it is more down for a pest attack as compared to when the plant is grown as an indoor plant.
How to know if you have mealybugs on Gollum jade?
Cottony white patches at the leaf-stem joint are a clear sign of the mealybugs attack. To get rid of it, we need to use pesticides or 70% isopropyl alcohol.
How to know if you have spider mites on Gollum jade?
Small webs and tiny holes in the leaves indicate the attack of spider mites. To get rid of it, using pesticide or rubbing alcohol is preferred.
Now the Gollum jade plant dying because of any of the above mentioned problems can be revived to an extent.
Crassula Ovata Gollum is most likely to get confused with Crassula Ovata Hobbit
Crassula Ovata Hobbit vs Gollum
Both succulents belong to the Crassula Ovata. But the difference they hold is based upon the leaf shape and style.
In Gollum, the leaves are tubular and are curled inwards with reddish tips. In Hobbit, the leaves are more tubular and they are curled backward with reddish tips.
Hence, for the hobbit jade vs Gollum jade, the above-mentioned differences are the main ones as they are quite similar in size and shrubby style.
Toxicity
The Crassula Ovata Gollum is harmless for us humans. But the case is not quite similar to the furry friends.
Through research, it has been seen that the ogre ear succulent can be quite toxic to cats and dogs. Toxicity towards other pets is not reported. But it is quite recommended to be careful with your pet’s contact with the succulent.
By mistake consumption of the plant leaves by dogs and cats as well as horses can cause allergic irritation and vomiting. Even consumption by humans is to be avoided.
Thus keeping your pet away from the plant is quite essential to avoid such mishappens.
Purchase
The succulent is quite a great purchase that can be made. Its unique style and vibrancy will surely enhance the look of your room or garden.
It also has mental boosting and concentration boosting abilities as well as increases the purity and peace of the homely atmosphere.
If you are a pet owner, then this purchase can be quite risky for our furry friends. Since Crassula Ovata Gollum toxicity is quite prominent against cats and dogs.
If you can manage to avoid contact with your pet with the plant then you can purchase this succulent.
The purchase can be done from nearby nurseries as well as from online botanical shops.
Online sale keeps on coming back, so you can even wait and make a purchase when the Crassula Ovata Gollum for sale has started.
Make sure to buy other essentials like the soil mixture if you want to avoid preparing the soil for the plant.
For poor lighting conditions, purchasing grow lights is quite recommended to keep the plant in ideal lighting conditions. Also for checking the soil moisture content purchasing a hygrometer is beneficial.
Conclusion
Succulent plants have become so well-known because they offer low upkeep and different shapes and surfaces, both in the nursery and inside.
Crassula Ovata Gollum is a unique shrub among all the 350 species of succulents belonging to the Jade plant varieties.
The average height of this Gollum jade is 80-100cm. It is among the shorter succulents.
This Gollum jade is a favorable purchase since it is easy to grow succulent, efficient, and vibrant growth is seen in bright light and sandy soil (you can get sandy cactus soil from nurseries or online botanical shops).
This unique plant is a sturdy and strong, evergreen succulent plant that grows and develops into a tree-like shape with a height of 1.2m tall.
Its fleshy and tubular leaves with internally curled concaved edges look like Shrek’s ears (hence the name ogre ear succulent) and are bright green with reddish tips. During wintertime or late summer, this species can produce small, white-pink, star-shaped flowers.
Crassula Ovata Gollum is known by several different common names because of the unique and interesting shapes of its leaves. These names include Hobbit Jade, Gollum jade, and Trumpet Jade.
It is both indoor as well as and outdoor plant but this species is more famous as a houseplant.
This wonderful and fascinating succulent is quite dangerous to our furry friends so please be cautious if you being a pet owner are thinking about making a Gollum jade purchase. Try to keep your pet away from it to avoid any further consequences.
There are certain points to keep in mind for everything; hence, we have some important points for our unique succulent as well.
Overall, the Crassula Ovata Gollum purchase will be quite fruitful and exciting.
I hope the above article helped you. Happy planting now!