This plant looks like it has mealy bug, small white bugs which cocoon themselves in what looks like cotton wool,succul succulents are very prone, they tend to be found in the crevices of leaves.Methylated spirit rubbed on with a cotton bud or you can buy a spray on eBay, the name I can't remember.Give this plant a good water,make sure it drains well and do not water again until the top inch or so feels dry.,they don't need a lot of water because they store it in their succulent leaves.Eradicate the infestation , any leaves that are good you can propogate, just leave them to callous over at the ends before laying,on the soil also the plant will grow new leaves if you are patient in the spring, as long as you haven't overwartered.
I'd say you've got a couple of problems on the go there but all similar causes. The thing with the golum variety of crassula ovata is it's a mutated plant where the leaves are wrapped into tubes rather than lying flat. This means if you get leaf problems you can get moisture trapped in the tubes where it causes mould and rot. Typical causes are over watering or soil that doesn't drain quickly enough. The plant takes up too much water and weeps it out through the leaves. This can also be the cause of the white spots on the leaves which are often salts from using tap water which build up in the soil, especially if the soil doesn't drain fast enough. The mould is also caused by humid environments with a lack of ventilation. Is the plant in a kitchen or similar?
If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
Wild Edges.... sounds that could well be the cause. However it’s in a large planter in our lounge about a foot from the sliding doors that lead into our south facing garden. What’s your solution for the problem?
One of the solutions is as previously said. Put it into a pot with drainage holes and use a very gritty compost. Don't overwater - make sure it is dry before watering. Deal with any mealy bugs if they are present. Pick off any mouldy or rotting leaves.
'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
I'd do as Hogweed said above. It sounds like your plant is sitting in damp soil for too long. Make sure the pot you choose is only slightly bigger than the rootball of the plant and has at least one drainage hole in the bottom. The succulent compost you're using should be fine but you can add extra grit or perlite to make it drain faster.
I keep my largest one in a plastic pot inside a ceramic pot and put a layer of grit under the plastic pot. It's about a metre tall now so the system works. I've got a smaller one in a terracotta pot which also works well as the terracotta breathes so it keeps the soil dry at the edges of the pot whereas plastic can trap moisture in there.
If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
I forgot to say, if you are watering at this time of year make sure to warm the water up to at least room temp before using it. I tend to keep a 5 litre bottle of rain water in a warm part of the house to use on plants.
If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
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