Difference between the succulents Luoqi and Laura
This article brings you knowledge about the succulent plant Luoqi, the difference between Luoqi and Laura, please see the detailed introduction below.
The difference between Luoqi and Laura is always a very controversial topic. These two varieties are closely related, or Luoqi can be considered a superior selection of Laura. Therefore, on Korean websites or farms, the names are often used interchangeably, making the controversy very intense. Even some authorities have categorically stated in books that Luoqi is simply Laura in a certain state.
The author is located in Shanghai and started collecting succulents in May this year. Soon after, Luoqi caught their attention with its red and yellow jelly-like colors. They have been looking for the differences between the two, but unfortunately, the first two plants they bought were Laura, and it was not until August that they acquired a genuine Luoqi.
Many sellers, including those in Korea, sell Laura as Luoqi. However, when they sell the real Luoqi, you will find that the price is higher, or they call it Maru-leaf Luoqi or Maru jelly Luoqi.
The most obvious differences between Luoqi and Laura are:
1. Laura is usually a dead green color when the temperature is high, while Luoqi has a more translucent jelly-like yellow-green color, which turns red when the temperature difference increases (while Laura usually has yellow or slightly red edges around the leaves). Look at the color comparison of my Luoqi in mid-August and mid-October – it just turned very red these last two days.
2. Laura has a particularly large flower shape and many leaves, and the base of the branches likes to sprout a lot of small heads, while Luoqi usually has one head per branch, with elegant leaf shapes and fewer small heads at the base of the branches.
3. Laura has a very distinct fragrance, while Luoqi has almost none.
Here are the comparison photos of my Luoqi and Laura when I bought them and now:
Luoqi
How it looked when bought in mid-August this year:
In mid-October, it quickly turned into a translucent and pleasant jelly color after being exposed to the sun for a few days. Since it was still settling in, I didn't dare to water it much, so it looked瘦. I'm just an ordinary succulent enthusiast who has been collecting for half a year, not an expert. After moving it outside and exposing it to the sun for a few days, then with the increased temperature difference in autumn, it naturally turned into this lovely appearance. This further proves that this state is entirely due to Luoqi's superior genes (Laura is also being exposed to the sun, but it currently has no state, with only a few leaves turning dark red).
Now let's look at my Lauras
Laura No. 1
How it looked when bought in July:
In mid-October:
Laura No. 2
How it looked when bought in July:
In mid-October: still dead green, with some red edges from sun exposure
You can see from the condition of these two Lauras that I'm just an ordinary enthusiast. With the same care, Luoqi easily presents a jelly color, which can be said to be entirely due to its superior genes.
Of course, some enthusiasts and Korean farms can cultivate Laura to achieve a jelly color (including using drugs), although Laura can also be very beautiful when in a state. However, upon close observation, you will find that Luoqi's jelly color is more translucent. Korean farms are very skilled and can usually grow Laura to achieve a jelly color similar to Luoqi, but I highly suspect this is due to the use of drugs. It will fade quickly after being brought home. A good way to distinguish is to look at the leaf shape. If the leaves are large and dense, forming a large "flower," it is most likely Laura. As shown in the following picture
Since it's not easy to distinguish, we might as well be conservative and buy the ones with small leaf shapes and no sprouting heads. Then, in summer, the state is not dead green but a more translucent yellow-green.
This is all for now, hoping it can help everyone distinguish between Laura and Luoqi. Laura is not bad, but we should avoid buying Laura at the price of Luoqi.
The above experience and knowledge about the differences between Luoqi and Laura (with pictures) are brought to you. I hope this article can be of some help to you!