Echeveria

Tag: Echeveria

How to Successfully Propagate Echeveria Blue Atoll Succulents

by Giancarlo Perlas

The Echeveria Blue Atoll or the Echeveria Coolvue is one of the most common succulents out there. You can easily find it in gardening stores and online shops. It is also easy to propagate and grow even if you are just a beginner in gardening. So, if you are looking to get the plant for your succulents starter kit, this article discusses the things you must remember when growing and reproducing it for your outdoor or indoor garden.

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Appearance

The Echeveria Blue Atoll is a rosette type of succulent plant. It can grow up to 6 inches (15 cm) if given the proper care. As its name says, its fleshy leaves come with a shade of blue, and sometimes, it can be blue-green in color. During summers, the small buds around its tall stems eventually bloom into bell-shaped orange or yellow flowers.

Ideal Environment

The Echeveria genus belonging to the Crassulaceae family of succulents is a drought-resistant plant that thrives in semi-desert or arid regions. Most Blue Atoll succulents sold here are native to Mexico, which means they can survive in long periods without water.

Based on the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Blue Atoll is suitable for hardiness zones classified in 9a to 11b. In other words, it can withstand climates as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

This is perfect for rock gardens or succulent pot arrangements. It can be placed under direct sun or partial shade, but the latter is strongly recommended for more balanced growth.

Best Propagation Technique

If you want to reproduce the Echeveria Blue Atoll on your own, start by getting either its leaf cutting or offset. Growing from an offset is the easier method between the two, so let’s focus on it.

Basically, an offset is a result of a plant’s asexual reproduction. It looks like a smaller version or clone of the mother plant. When separating the two, only use a sterilized pair of shears or knife to avoid contaminating the succulents with bad bacteria and other harmful impurities. Carefully make the cutting in the portion of the lateral stem closest to the mother plant.

Next, fill a small succulent pot with dry garden soil or potting mix near the brim. See to it that the soil is well-draining to prevent excess water from stagnating in the pot and enable good air circulation in the plant’s roots. Another way to properly drain excess water is by making sure that the container has small holes in its base that will serve as drainage.

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Like any other plant out there, watering is a crucial part of a succulent’s growth. Although the Echeveria Blue Atoll is accustomed to dry seasons, it is highly recommended that you water it whenever the soil appears to have dried up.

The Echeveria Blue Atoll doesn’t require fertilizing too. However, it could still benefit from the added nutrients it offers. Therefore, apply a little amount of slow-release fertilizer on it every springtime to help keep it looking healthy and vibrant as it matures.

Planting and Caring for the Rare Vampire Red Ball Succulent Plant

by Giancarlo Perlas

If you are looking for another succulent plant that you can relate with Halloween monsters, look no further because here’s the Vampire Red Ball.

The plant is a new hybrid that originates from South Korea making it is very rare, expensive, and subject to stringent import requirements if purchased overseas. So if you happened to be lucky enough to own one and you want to propagate it, here are some tips on how you can successfully grow and maintain it.

Appearance

The Vampire Red Ball is from the Echeveria genus of succulents. So like all other plants of its kind, it comes in a rosette formation. However, what makes it stand out is its deep red color like it was drenched in blood, which is why it was called such.

Like other Echeverias the Vampire Red Ball is slow-growing. Its maximum spread and height will not exceed 12 inches.

The Vampire Red Ball can be an amazing addition to your rosette succulents. You can combine it with other Echeverias such as the Agavoides Lipstick, Neon Breaker, Violet Queen, Painted Lady, Harmsii Ruby Slipper, Tippy, Subsessilis, and Chroma. You can also plant it together with the other cacti or even your regular roses for added variety.

Ideal Environment

Winters in South Korea can go below 30 degrees Fahrenheit and summers can be as hot as 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, it is safe to say that the Vampire Red Ball is accustomed to temperatures within those marks.

For places with climates that go lower than 30 degrees Fahrenheit, we recommend placing the plant indoors. It should be positioned near a window or any part of the home that gets adequate sunlight during the day but not in direct sunlight during hot afternoons. We recommend using a grow light as well to ensure the survivability of the succulent indoor during cold conditions.

Propagation

Similar to other Echeverias, the Vampire Red Ball can be propagated from its seeds, offsets, or cuttings from its leaves. The ideal time to propagate it is during spring and summer when plants are more active in their cycle. If you are living in a tropical climate, you can plant it all year round.

From Seeds

Growing the succulent from seeds is pretty straightforward. Just sow the seeds in a clean pan filled with soil mixture. Spray the container lightly with water if you notice the soil getting dry. In around three weeks, you will likely notice germination.

Simply repeat the whole process, and in about six months after germination, it should be ready for transplant into permanent succulent pots.

From Offsets

Look for the offset or small clone of the parent plant. Carefully cut the lateral stem that connects the two in order to separate them. The cutting should be somewhere close to the parent plant.

Place the offset to a succulent pot filled with moist soil, and that’s it. All you have to do is water it when the soil dries up.

From Leaf Cutting

For us, this is the most convenient and effective way to propagate a succulent because you can cut several leaves at a time. After that, just let the cuttings dry or callus over for a day or two. You can use a rooting hormone to stimulate the growth of new roots from the node.

When it has already rooted, just stick the stem of the cuttings into a succulent pot with moist garden soil. Again, sprinkle some water only as needed or if the soil appears to have dried up.

Understanding The Different Types of Succulent Plants

by Giancarlo Perlas

The different types of succulent plants have been getting a lot of attention lately because of how easy it is to take care of them. Their unique appearance also make them such a gem to look at. There are many varieties of succulents like CAL Farms Beautiful 36 of 2″ Assorted Succulents. Some are more adept indoors while others are more suited outdoors.

Agave

Agave is both suited indoors and outdoors. It offers a wide range of small and large varieties. In your outdoor garden, the agave will stand out because of its unique shape. These are especially delightful in warmer climates. When they are placed indoors, they are sculptural and modern and very low maintenance. You may choose Butterfly Agave or Twin Flower Agave for indoor use.

Aloe

You may hear the term aloe vera and perhaps, that is really the most popular variety of aloe. But, there are plenty more varieties that look absolutely beautiful in every garden, whether indoors or outdoors.

Crassula

The most famous member of the Crassula family, which has more than 1,400 different varieties, is the jade plant. The name crassula comes from the Latin word meaning “thick.” The fleshy leaves of the varieties of crassula is the most appealing thing about this plant. It comes in different colors, too.

Echeveria

This is a favorite for many because it is rose-shaped. It’s almost like giving a rose to your better half, albeit this one is colored green and has fleshy leaves. It is available in light green and light blue hues. What we love about the echeveria is its personality. It can be combined with many other different varieties of succulents.

Euphorbia

Most of the varieties of euphorbia are mistaken for cacti, but this could not be farther from the truth. These are also called stem succulents because of its tree-like appearance. Garden spurge and poinsettia are members of the euphorbia family.

Gasteria

This stomach-shaped succulent is mostly found in South Africa. It has tongue-like leaves that require well-drained soil to prosper and grow. Gasteria comes from the Latin word “gaster,” which means stomach.

Haworthia

Related to aloe and gasteria, these rosettes also came from South Africa. The little rosettes can either grow singularly or they can grow in clumps. Haworthia is sometimes referred to a zebra cactus because of the appearance of stripes.

Kalanchoe

There are different kalanchoes, and almost all of them are known under a different name. The Kalanchoe thyrsiflora, for example, is called flapjack because of its flat and pancake-like leaves. Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, on the other hand, is perfect to give as gifts. It features green succulent leaves and colored flowers.

Portulacaria

This succulent has small leaves growing along the stems that can grow two feet long. These are mostly used as the “spiller” in mixed succulent containers.

Senecio

The senecio is popular for its finger-like leaves. It comes in varied colors such as gray-green and powder blue. This is another good mixer with other succulents because of its narrow foliage and shubby growth.

Once you are able to identify the different types of succulents, you can say that you are ready to pick up your very first succulent plant.

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