BCSS - Forum

This plant came to me via a UK dealer. I have doubts about being correctly named, Tony/Stuart any thoughts please.
When it arrived it had loads of tiny offshoots which I removed. The main plant was plain dark green with no markings but during the last 2 years it has started to change as the photo shows.

Is it compost material or a nice plant?

This one is usually seen in the trade as 'Nigricans Monstrose'. It has smooth leaves and clumps up quickly. I made the mistake of buying a tray of them in Holland a few years ago and was stuck with them, they just wouldn't sell. I don't dislike it and I'm usually quite good as knowing what will sell well but I was wrong with this one.

Stuart

Will the markings continue to develop as it gets more sun? (see my amended original comment re markings) Is the name as supplied completely wrong?

Stuart wrote: ↑Sun May 30, 2021 11:02 am This one is usually seen in the trade as 'Nigricans Monstrose'.
Stuart

Agreed, Doug used to have trouble selling it too! It does proliferate quite rapidly. And yes, I do grow it too.

I have something like this as Gasteria pseudonigricans. While it slowly clumps up, I find it almost impossible to get heads off cleanly - leaves just snap instead.

ralphrmartin wrote: ↑Sun May 30, 2021 5:13 pm I have something like this as Gasteria pseudonigricans. While it slowly clumps up, I find it almost impossible to get heads off cleanly - leaves just snap instead.

I agree, Ralph, it is very easy to create a large collection of individual leaves when you break up such a plant.
Ideally, you want to try to go for 5-6 leaves and a 'growing centre' - whatever that is! I use a SS spatula to push straight down into the clump.
Here are two from a couple of weeks ago: Mind you, the individual leaves root down very quickly too:
(Not that you want too many of them!)