Exotic echeveria at home: tips for growing. Echeveria, or stone rose - unpretentious beauty

Interior designers very often in their practice resort to using various plants as elements of decor to create coziness, liveliness and harmony of the room. Especially popular in this area is echeveria (echeveria) or stone rose- a flower that is often grown at home, although this is not always easy. Like any other representative of the flora, this plant requires special care, attention, has different types and varieties.

Echeveria succulent - home decoration

Echeveria - undersized, decorative succulents, belong to the family Crassulaceae(fat). There are more than 100 types of them. An interesting fact is that the flower got its name in honor of a Mexican artist who characterized the flora of his country with the help of illustrations. The description of a plant such as echeveria, first of all, must begin with the fact that it is stemless, perennial and herbaceous. Usually it reaches a height of no more than 20 cm. In order to protect itself from exposure to ultraviolet radiation, the plant is covered with either light fluff or a gray wax coating. Please note that the type of cover depends on the species and varieties of echeveria - this is clearly demonstrated by photos with names that you can study below:

It is not for nothing that all over the world the stone rose is used precisely for aesthetic purposes, because during flowering it really pleases the eye. First of all, a very long peduncle is thrown out, which can be more than 90 cm, and inflorescences of flowers of various bright colors are already formed on it. The inflorescences themselves can be either straight or lateral, depending on the type of plant. Particular attention should be paid to the leaves of the echeveria flower - they are:

• Rigid.
• Watery.
• Triangular oval shape.
• Whole-edge.
• Thick.
• Beschereshkovye.
• Sedentary.
• Next.

Leaves, pubescent or covered with bloom, form a rosette, which is placed on a thick stem. - green or brown, depending on the species. There are also instances of blue-green, gray-gray, purple and even pink. Very attractive is the fact that the color can vary depending on weather conditions. That is why echeveria is a decoration for any home. Over time, the lower leaves dry up and die, but this can also happen in the winter season if the plant is warm. Inflorescences appear on the side of the rosette, depending on the type or variety in winter, spring or summer.

The flowers themselves are small, reach a length of about 1 cm, acquire a bell-shaped shape and color. bright color: red, orange, yellow. It is noteworthy that depending, again, on the species, the plant can bloom both many times and once, after which it dies.

Types and varieties of echeveria: photos, names and descriptions of plant varieties

It is known that the motherland this plant are the Southern regions of the USA, Central and South America. But, despite this, all over the world there is a considerable variety of types of stone roses. All of them are quite unpretentious in their care and, in particular, they have earned such great popularity among designers and aesthetes. By crossing natural species echeveria flower artificially bred in decorative purposes hybrid varieties and varieties. So it is worthwhile to understand in more detail which types of plants are most popular. In the first place in terms of prevalence in terms of decorating rooms, you can safely put elegant echeveria. This flower probably best fits the name "stone rose" because of its resemblance. First of all, this is facilitated by the presence of a bluish-white bloom on the leaves, which are very close to each other. Another advantage is the appearance of orange or red flowers in the summer. Look at this type of echeveria flowers in the photo below:

All of them are characterized by a thin stem, white or very light leaves, with spines on their bases, rosettes are formed in the axils of the leaves and lateral shoots, which reach up to 15 cm.

agave echeveria also often found, and there is nothing strange in this, because the vernal appearance of the plant is simply striking in its unusualness. The first feature is the leaves of a pointed shape, the second is their symmetrical arrangement and the formation of a water lily shape, the third and, perhaps, the main one - the edges of the leaves are painted in pink color. And in summer, pink or yellow flowers will also please the eye. It is natural that the description with the name will not give a complete picture of the plant, and it is better to look at the photo of agave echeveria, presented below:

The next species is Echeveria Lau:

This flower also has a number of its own characteristics. Its leaves are not so closely spaced and their number is less than that of other representatives. Both leaves and flowers are covered with a bluish-white bloom, which gives the plant a distinctive look. Flowers can reach 2 cm in diameter. In addition, this type of plant develops much more slowly than the others and requires much more attention. Of the pubescent species of echeveria, the following varieties are distinguished:

• Cushion.
• Hairy.
• Crimson.

All of them are distinguished by a bright green color of the leaves and their velvety coating. Only in echeveria crimson at the edges can you see redness. Echeveria brilliant also has an unusual appearance. Its leaves amaze with their geometric shape and color, although they reach a length of about 10 cm. Peduncles usually grow up to 50 cm. They have inflorescences that can be brushes or umbrellas, you can admire them only in winter period. Particular attention should be paid to humpbacked echeveria, a photo of the varieties of which are presented below, namely:

carunculata

Crispata

Metallica

All of them are characterized by an unusual shape of leaves and a straight stem, as well as a bright ear. In this case, the blade of the plant can reach a length of 20 cm and a width of 15 cm. Main Feature of these varieties of humpbacked echeveria is the fact that the leaves are usually concave inward. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to see the flowers of all these plants when it comes to growing them at home. By the way, the flowering process occurs in winter and autumn. As you can see in the photo, the color of the plant can be either gray or with a metallic sheen:

Variety "Pearl of Nuremberg" is generally distinguished by a red-brown color:

The humpbacked flower also includes such a popular variety of echeveria flower as the "Black Prince", the color of which is pink-gray:

The photo below shows the various types of echeveria and their official names:

Conditions for growing echeveria: lighting and temperature

Since the natural location of the flower is Mexico, as well as the South and Central regions of the United States, where all year round bright sunlight, then in summer it is best to keep the plant outdoors - take it out to the balcony or garden. Fresh air is an important aspect of echeveria care and reproduction. Do not forget that in this case the flower will need to be protected from the rain. It is necessary to recreate as much as possible the conditions that exist in the natural environment and that suit the flower. When it comes to lighting, the main thing to remember is that:

• The plant is photophilous and direct sunlight is simply necessary.
• A little shading in the summer will also have a positive effect.
• When choosing exactly where to place the flower in the apartment, give your preference to windows that face south.

It is worth paying attention to the temperature in the process of caring for echeveria and its reproduction at home: in summer - outdoor temperature, in winter 5-10 ° C; for flowering plants - higher. This means that it is during the summer that the temperature room air approaching the same temperature readings as in natural environment habitat of the flower, namely - 27-30 ° C. In winter, care must be taken to ensure that the sockets do not become loose or stretched out.

It is for this that it is recommended to create cooler temperature conditions, 8 ° C is the ideal solution. When organizing the care of echeveria at home, remember that the leaves of the plant are very sensitive to sudden changes in temperature.

How to care for echeveria: proper watering

When wondering how to properly care for echeveria, you should definitely pay attention to proper watering: water little by little in summer, hardly water non-flowering plants in winter. It is worth looking into this issue in more detail.

As for the warm season, namely the period from May to September, you need to irrigate the plant once a week. It should be remembered that moisture should penetrate into 2/3 of the entire soil in the pot, that is, only the upper part of it needs to be moistened.

This is due to the fact that the plant is accustomed to a dry climate. Important nuance is that it is recommended to avoid getting water on the leaves themselves, because this can cause damage to their pubescence or waxy coating. Also, water can accumulate, which leads to the process of rotting the plant. Often, echeveria is irrigated at home using a pallet, that is, water is poured into it and, thus, the flower nourishes moisture. But in this case, it is worth regularly draining the remaining liquid.

Next, you should gradually reduce the frequency of watering and by mid-November irrigate the plant approximately once a month. And for the whole winter it is allowed to moisten the flower only once or twice.

When addressing the issue of air humidity, you need to remember the following:

• She has to hit low.
• The plant does not need to be sprayed.
• Sometimes you can wipe the leaves with a damp cloth or cotton, but do it carefully, as you can easily damage the wax shell.

If the flower is characterized by pubescent leaves, then even rubbing is prohibited, because echeveria is a succulent. This means that the plant has special tissues for storing water, and drops in summer, when exposed to direct sunlight, can even lead to burns.

How to grow echeveria (with video)

The next very important question is proper preparation soil. This should be a substrate: cactus soil or standard greenhouse-greenhouse soil mixture. It is best to choose loose substrates that are low-nutrient, neutral. Can be purchased already prepared soil for succulents in the store, but remember that half of it should be sand. You can also independently prepare the soil mixture for echeveria, as shown in the video:

There are several options for this. Firstly, you can use one part of the finished store substrate, add coarse river sand and finely ground brick chips to it. An admixture of charcoal will not be superfluous. It will help protect the plant from root rot. The second option is mixing sheet and sod land in equal proportions with the addition of sand. Also can be mixed clay soil, peat and coarse sand in equal proportions.

It is possible that the sand exceeds the rest of the components in volume. It is necessary to protect the flower from stagnation of water in the soil. Therefore, a small layer of sand is poured into the bottom of a shallow wide pot as drainage.

The issue of feeding is also very relevant: from March to August, apply weekly small doses of fertilizer for cacti. Fertilizers such as "Pokon", "Green world", "Bio Dom", "Bona Forte" are noted for their excellent quality.

At the same time, they should be diluted to half the concentration indicated on the package, and fertilizer should be added to the water for irrigation. Remember that the plant is accustomed to neutral, low-nutrient soil in natural conditions. An excess of minerals and top dressings can harm the delicate root system of a flower and appear later on it. appearance.

Echeveria transplant

In this matter, it is important to remember that echeveria, especially homemade, is a very fragile and delicate flower, so when transplanting it, you need to be especially careful and attentive. Remember the main rules: young plants are recommended to be replanted annually, older ones - only if necessary. It is better to do this already when the flower is experiencing a shortage of space. This is usually done about once every 4 years. The process consists of the following steps.

The appropriate one is selected, namely: wide, shallow, ceramic. Its bottom is covered with pebbles or tiles. The substrate purchased or prepared by oneself falls asleep. Next, the plant is taken out of the old soil, it is inspected for damaged areas that must be cut off. The places of cuts fall asleep activated carbon. The flower deepens into the soil, which should be well moistened.

Remember that throughout the next week, additional soil moisture will not be required.

How to propagate echeveria and how to properly root a plant when planting

There are three main options for how to propagate echeveria:

• With the help of seeds.
• Leaves.
• Top rooting.

The first option is the most difficult and takes the most time.. The catch is that the grower himself pollinates the flowers, and then the seeds ripen on their own. The main thing is to collect them in time. To sow them, you need to choose the right soil, best of all sour. On its surface, the seeds are laid out and in no case are sprinkled with earth from above. When choosing a container for growing them, give your preference to a transparent container with the same lid and high-quality drainage system. Future plants must be placed in a place where the air temperature will be at least 25-30 ° C. For echeveria using seeds, you will also need enough high humidity air.

Remember: not always this option, how to grow new specimens of echeveria, gives the desired results. Most of these experiments end in failure. But if successful, by correctly following all the recommendations and instructions, you can get a crop of many sprouts.

The next way is reproduction. This option is the main one. First you need to completely separate the leaf from the plant. In order for a new copy to begin to rot, the separated sheet must be air-dried.

Next, you should take care of preparing the substrate and thoroughly moisten it. A sheet is laid out on the surface. The main thing is that the top side is outside. Place a container with leaves in a room with an air temperature of at least 20 ̊С and scattered sunlight.

All these actions are the answer to how you can root echeveria. Indeed, a few weeks after the work done, you can observe that the leaf has taken root. After another month, a rosette is already provided to the eye. After its appearance, the plant is ready for transplanting into the main soil for further development. By the way, in the summer all these processes will take place at an accelerated pace, perhaps even more than one outlet will appear.

Echeveria flower propagation at home is often carried out using the outlet itself. It is considered a fallback option, because not all types of plants can be propagated using leaves. First you need to separate the outlet from the main plant. At the same time, do not forget to lubricate the cut points with charcoal. After the separated part must be dried in the air before the next step. This will take about 12 hours. The next step is to place the socket in the soil. In its capacity, you can use either sand or a prepared substrate.

The main thing is to thoroughly moisturize it. The advantages of such reproduction and planting of echeveria is that the plant will be able to release flowers faster, and it will develop more actively.

Thus, the main rule: reproduction is best done after flowering by side rosettes or leaf cuttings at a soil temperature of 20 ° C. Dry the sections of the cuttings and stick them into the sandy substrate.

Why do echeveria leaves turn yellow and fall off: diseases and pests of a flower

Like many other plants, echeveria is attacked by pests, diseases such as root rot, powdery mildew, phylloxera, cushions!

Probably the most dangerous thing that can happen when caring for an echeveria flower is root rot. The thing is that the affected plant cannot be saved, it remains only to throw it away, leaving only healthy parts, in order to root them later. In this case, the roots of the succulent become soft, loose, black and fetid. The next stage is the decay of the trunk and leaves itself. Until this happens, it is best to transplant and before that, disinfect the pot, pan and the soil itself, if possible. It is also necessary to cut off all affected areas. sharp knife and cover the cuts with activated charcoal. But if this is not done on time, then the leaves of Echeveria turn yellow and fall, and then the whole flower dies.

It is enough just to water the earth with these preparations.

Echeveria is a heat-loving flower native to hot Mexico. Flower growers successfully grow it on window sills, in florariums or greenhouses. rocky gardens. Unpretentious and extremely decorative echeveria does not cause any trouble in care and willingly grows at home.

plant description

There are many varieties of echeveria

Echeveria (or echeveria) is a resident of the arid rocky plains and mountain slopes of Central America. The flower got its name in honor of the illustrator Atanasio Echeverria, who designed the book "Flora of Mexico" in the century before last. Another name, "stone rose", is associated with the appearance of the plant - its dense rosettes really resemble roses.

The genus Echeveria belongs to the Crassulaceae family and unites about two hundred species. Growth in a dry hot climate determines the main distinctive features echeveria. The plants have fleshy leaves, collected in a dense rosette, from 3 to 30 cm long and 1–15 cm wide. The leaf blades are flat or cylindrical, with a pointed tip, covered with a wax coating or pubescent. This leaf structure allows Echeveria to endure sudden changes in temperature, heat and cold. The color is bluish-green, the ends of the leaves are darker, reddish-brown.

The stem of most species is shortened and almost invisible, although there are also bushy echeverias. Echeveria blooms with bell-shaped flowers, which are located on inflorescences from 4 to 50 cm long. The size of individual bells is 1–3 cm, the color is red, yellow-green, orange. Often at the ends of the peduncles an additional rosette with fleshy wax leaves smaller than on the mother plant.

Young people are often mistaken for echeveria, but they look more like artichokes.

On a note! Even experienced growers sometimes echeveria is confused with another similar plant- juvenile (Sempervivum). However, these are two completely different plants, respectively, and the conditions for their maintenance are different. Rejuvenated frost-resistant, it can be safely grown on Alpine rollercoaster in open field, whereas echeveria does not tolerate sub-zero temperatures. Another difference between echeveria is more fleshy and thicker leaves compared to young ones.

Echeveria as indoor flower represented by many types. Basically, they differ in size, leaf color and rosette shape. In content, all varieties are absolutely unpretentious, so you can safely choose any variety you like.

Known varieties of echeveria - table

Variety	The size and shape of the leaf socket	Size, shape, leaf color	Flowers
Echeveria agave (agavoides)	A bushy plant with a very short stem. Rosettes are dense, rounded.	Leaves up to 9 cm long and up to 6 cm wide, widen from the base, and then sharply narrow, with a pointed tip. The color of the leaves is light green, at the ends the leaves are yellowish-green, covered with a noticeable wax bloom of a bluish color.	The flowers are collected in inflorescences about 40 cm long, which emerge from the center of the rosette. The shape of the flowers is rounded bells, the color is yellow or red. Blooms in spring summer period.
Echeveria white-haired (leucotricha)	A short-stemmed plant with a rosette about 15 cm in diameter.	The leaves are lanceolate, oblong, and their outer side is flat, and the lower convex, rounded. Sheet plates Green colour with a brown border along the edge, densely covered with light hairs.	The flowers are reddish-brown, located on peduncles 40–50 cm long. It blooms in spring.
Echeveria brilliant (fulgens Lera)	Bushy species with thick shoots. Second-order shoots grow from the central rosette with small rosettes at the ends.	The leaves are oval-oblong, with a sharp tip, up to 10 cm long and up to 4 cm wide. The color is light green, with a pronounced wax coating on the edges.	The flowers are bright red, 1-2 cm in size. Flowering in February - March.
Echeveria humpbacked (Gibbiflora)	A plant with tree-like unbranched shoots, on the tops of which there are small (15-20 leaves) rosettes.	The leaves are rounded-lanceolate, slightly pointed at the end. Slightly concave on the outside, curved on the inside. The edge of the leaf plate is slightly wavy, there are varieties with pronounced waviness. The color ranges from bluish-green to reddish-gray with a lighter border around the edge.	Flowers - red-yellow rounded bells 2 cm in size.
Echeveria Derenberg (Derenbergii)	It has creeping shoots with very dense, regular rosettes at the ends.	Leaves up to 4 cm long and up to 2 cm wide, spatulate, very close to each other. The color of the leaf plates is gray-green with a colored (usually pinkish or brownish) edging along the edge.	Inflorescences 6-15 cm with red-yellow bells.
Echeveria graceful (elegans Rose)	The stem is very short, the rosettes are quite dense.	Leaves up to 5 cm long, 2 cm wide, rounded, with a sharp tip. The coloration is light green with a silvery-gray bloom.	The flowers are pink, with a yellow top, appear on branched peduncles in late spring.
Echeveria cushion (pulvinata)	A plant with a short herbaceous stem and a loose rosette.	The leaves are oval, very fleshy, up to 5 cm long and 2 cm wide. The green leaf plate is densely pubescent with short silvery hairs, and small spines are located on the tops of the leaves.	The flowers are 1-2 cm in size, pubescent and have a red-yellow color. Flowering from early March.
Echeveria Peakotsky, or Peacock (peacockii)	Plants with a low erect stem, on top of which there are loose rosettes with a diameter of about 10 cm.	The leaves are rounded-spatulate, with a sharp tip. The color is uniform green with a bluish bloom.	Red flowers are collected on drooping peduncles. Blooms in late spring - early summer.
Echeveria Shaviana, or Sho (shaviana)	Herbaceous short stem, fairly dense rosette of regular shape.	The leaves are flat, oval, with a sharp tip. Gray-green coloration. There are varieties with a wavy edge.	Pink flowers are collected in inflorescences on branched erect peduncles. Blooms in early summer.
Echeveria bristly (setosa Rose et Purp)	The plant is practically without a stem, the rosettes are dense. correct form.	The leaves are lanceolate, fleshy, up to 10 cm long and up to 4 cm wide. The color is uniform, bright green. The entire leaf plate is covered with short prickly silver bristles.	The flowers are small, about 1 cm, collected in inflorescences 30–40 cm high. It blooms in early summer.

Popular varieties in the photo

Optimal conditions for keeping echeveria - table

Important! Do not forget that echeveria is a resident of arid and hot regions. In order for it to show itself in all its glory, it needs to create conditions as close as possible to natural ones.

Plant video

Landing and transplant

After buying Echeveria, it is advisable to immediately transplant it into a permanent pot with suitable soil, because the store substrate is often unsuitable for long-term cultivation of this flower.

In nature, echeveria grows in rock crevices, on scree. In such conditions, rainwater does not linger at the roots, but immediately flows off. The soil in the pot should also pass water very well. Moreover, the pebbles are not only laid on the bottom of the tank, but also evenly mixed with the soil. It could be small pebbles broken brick or gravel with a fraction of 4–6 mm. Sand and vermiculite are absolutely not suitable, the sand has too small particles, and vermiculite retains moisture.

The optimal composition of the soil for echeveria:

• garden soil - 3 parts;
• pebbles - 1 part;
• peat - 1 part;
• some charcoal.

Alternatively, you can take the purchased land for cacti or succulents and add some stones there.

On a note! Determining whether an echeveria earth mixture is suitable is very simple. A handful of the substrate is squeezed in the hand and they look at what happened - if the soil has turned into a lump, then it is too heavy for echeveria, and if it crumbles, then just right.

plays an important role in plant growth right choice pot. Echeveria has a weak superficial root system, so it needs a wide and shallow container with a drainage hole in the bottom. The diameter of the pot should be 1–1.5 cm larger than the diameter of the leaf rosette.

On a note! Group plantings in spacious flower boxes look beautiful. With the help of several varieties of succulents and a handful of decorative pebbles, you can create a real miniature garden. It is necessary to water such a composition very carefully so that the roots of echeveria do not rot in a large amount of land.

Young specimens require an annual transplant, adult plants are transplanted only as needed, when the old pot becomes cramped. The land for transplantation is taken the same as during the first landing.

Echeveria needs small pots

Growing in a florarium

Recently, it has become popular to grow a mix of indoor plants in mini-greenhouses, the so-called florariums. Initially, only demanding plants were planted in florariums in order to provide them with the necessary microclimate. Currently, mini-greenhouses have become a real decoration of the interior, because behind the glass you can recreate a piece of the natural landscape. Echeveria is great for a desert or rocky florarium. Its compactness, slow growth, low soil and water requirements make it an ideal candidate for growing under glass.

Echeveria is great for creating a desert landscape

To make such a florarium is very simple. For this you need:

1. Carefully pour the drainage layer into a glass container (small pebbles in half with charcoal), and on it a layer of soil for echeveria.
2. With the help of large tweezers and a wooden peg, plant a few bushes and carefully water them from a small watering can with a narrow spout.
3. Fill empty places with decorative pebbles or coarse quartz sand.
4. As a care, such a florarium needs only very moderate watering from time to time.

plant care

Watering and humidity

Echeveria feels great at low humidity, so it can be safely placed in rooms with dry air or near heating devices.

Important! This flower is not sprayed! Too much moisture can cause leaf rot. For the same reason, avoid getting water on the leaf outlet when watering.

Echeveria is watered very sparingly. Summer in hot weather this is done more often, as soon as the earthen ball dries well. In winter, watering is reduced, the lower the temperature of the content, the less moisture the plant needs. Remember that stagnant water is detrimental to echeveria.

top dressing

Feed the flower only during the period active growth that is, from the beginning of spring to the end of summer. As a fertilizer, ready-made mixtures for succulents are used, for example, Agricola for cacti and succulents, Absolut, Stimovit for succulents. As a rule, top dressing is applied along with watering once a month. In the autumn-winter period, echeveria is not fed.

Important! Fertilizers can begin to be applied only 2 months after planting or transplanting a flower.

How to make echeveria bloom

Many varieties of echeveria bloom willingly on windowsills. If the plant does not want to release buds, it can be helped. This is achieved by adjusting the length of daylight and temperature regime. If bushes are kept at a temperature of +15 ... +18 ° C for 1.5–2 months and the daylight hours are only 12–13 hours, the first buds will appear by the end of this period.

On a note! Very young plants will not bloom. Usually echeverias bloom only for 2-3 years of life.

During flowering, echeveria requires more abundant watering and fertilizing with complex fertilizer for flowering plants. After flowering, there is a dormant period during which watering and fertilizing are reduced.

Blooming echeveria bushes look very elegant

Possible problems and ways to solve them - table

Problem	Causes	Solutions
Gray spots on the leaves, violation of the wax layer.	Careless handling of bushes. Water ingress on leaves.	Try not to touch the leaves during transplanting and when leaving, so as not to disturb the wax layer. Avoid getting water on the socket.
Leaves and stems become brittle and turn gray or black.	Over watering combined with low temperatures.	Bring the plant into a room with a temperature of 25-28 degrees. Reduce watering.
The socket stretched out, became loose. The leaves have faded.	Lack of lighting.	Gradually move the pot to a brighter place. If you do this abruptly, the plant can get stressed and get sick.
Small leaves, very slow growth.	Lack of moisture. Too poor soil and lack of fertilizers.	Establish watering, not forgetting that waterlogging is just as destructive as excessive dryness. Transplant the bush into a more nutritious soil or start regular feeding.
Leaves and rosettes shrivel.	Lack of watering in the heat.	Immediately remove the plant from a hot window sill and water it.

Diseases and pests

Echeveria, like other Crassulaceae, is resistant to diseases and pests. The main danger is represented by mealy and root bugs, root-knot nematodes.

Pest control methods - table

Pest	signs	Treatment
Mealybug	Foci of wax threads, similar to fluff or cotton wool, appear on the outlet. The leaves are covered with a sticky coating. If you look closely, you can see oval whitish insects covered with powdery coating. Plants stop growing, are oppressed.	Spray the bushes with Karbofos (6 g per 1 liter of water). You may have to discard the plant, rooting healthy cuttings.
root bug	The plant is depressed, stops growing, the leaves lose their elasticity, become lethargic. The earthy ball is as if entangled in white cotton wool - this is the nest of the worms.	Completely change the soil in the pot. Carry out 3–4 waterings with Aktara at weekly intervals (1 g per 5 liters of water).
gall nematode	General inhibition of the plant. Thickening in the form of beads is noticeable on the roots. Over time, the roots rot.	Cut off the damaged roots, place the plant for 30 minutes in water at a temperature of 40–45 degrees, and then transplant into fresh soil. Spill the earth with Aktara solution 3-4 times (1 g per 5 liters of water).

Reproduction of a flower at home

Echeveria are easy to propagate by leaf cuttings, apical or basal rosettes. You can try to grow a flower from seeds, but this is a more time-consuming way.

leaf cuttings

1. The lower leaves are broken off from the mother plant - large and healthy. Leave to dry for 2-3 hours.
2. A soil mixture of garden soil and coarse sand is placed in a pot in a ratio of 2: 1. 2-3 mm of clean sand is poured on top.
3. The leaves are pressed into the ground with a scrap, placing them slightly obliquely.
4. Spray the cuttings with a spray bottle and cover with a plastic bag.
5. The pot with cuttings is regularly moistened, and the shelter is ventilated. The temperature of the cuttings is about +25 ° C.
6. After 2-3 weeks, young rosettes appear at the base of the leaves. After the mother leaf is completely dry, small echeverias are seated in separate pots.

Plants are planted after the mother leaves have dried.

Root or apical rosettes

By rooting entire rosettes, you can get a full-fledged plant in a year. Rooting steps:

1. With a sharp knife, cut off the basal or apical rosette and remove 3-4 lower leaves. Leave it to dry in a shaded place for 3-4 hours.
2. Prepare a mixture of garden soil and coarse sand or fine gravel 1: 1 and fill a small pot with it.
3. Stick the socket into the soil and lightly water.
4. Keep at a temperature of 22–24 degrees, water regularly (the earth must be constantly moist).
5. After a month, the outlet will start to grow, and after another 1-2 months it can be transplanted into a permanent pot. If the bush grows slowly, you can leave it until next year and only then transplant it.

Rooted sockets quickly begin to grow

seeds

If, after flowering, echeveria has formed fruit boxes, you can try to grow new bushes from seeds. To do this, they are sown in a mixture of peat soil and coarse sand (1: 1). Do it in February - March.

Important! Echeveria seeds are very small, so they are not sprinkled with earth, but only slightly pressed into the surface.

Crops are moistened with a spray bottle and covered with glass. In the future, they are kept at a temperature of 20–25 degrees, regularly moistened and ventilated. After two to three weeks, sprouts will appear. The grown seedlings are planted in small pots after 2-3 months. When the sockets grow up to 3 cm in diameter, they are transplanted again to a permanent place.

echeveria (Echeveria) - a plant belonging to the genus of succulents, originally from South and Central America. Echeveria also thrives in dry places in countries such as Mexico and Peru. The succulent of this genus has a variety of species, today there are about 200 of them.

home flower echeveria, has a large number of varieties. Distinctive features all kinds:

• May be stemless;
• short-stemmed;
• lodging;
• They form rosettes of leaves at the ends of the shoots;
• The leaves are fleshy, dense in structure, which germinate in a spiral. Also, the leaves of Echeveria acquire a sitting position.

At home, you can grow any kind of echeveria. The plant has a large number of varieties that are safely grown in flower growers' apartments.

Echeveria graceful ( Echeveria elegans)

It is a stemless plant with a central sessile rosette and several rosettes located on the sides. Side rosettes, as a rule, sprout vertically relative to the ground plane. Echeveria is graceful, has leaves of a light green color. Usually the leaves of this species do not change color. Another distinguishing feature of this succulent is a transparent whitish bloom that covers the surface of the leaves. The succulent usually blooms from May to June, as it loves sunlight. Echeveria graceful blooms, forming a peduncle in the upper leaf axils with yellow flowers. Usually, the peduncle reaches a size of about 25 centimeters.

Echeveria graceful / Flowering

Echeveria agave ( Echeveria agavoides)

It is a succulent with a shortened or missing stem. Rosette, in this plant is dense and wide, which is formed in the form of collected leaves. The leaves are fleshy and thick in texture. In shape, they have a spatulate to oval shape, with pointed tips. The size of the leaves, as a rule, reach 5-9 centimeters in length and 5-6 centimeters in width. The color scheme of the succulent is changeable. So, from a light green color, the plant turns to red, located mainly on the upper edge. The edge, in turn, goes to a prickly point Brown. The surface of the leaves, like that of elegant echeveria, is covered with a whitish coating. Flowering in this species usually occurs at the end of spring. Flowers of red-yellow color on a long stem, bloom in the middle of the rosette and have a peduncle size of 30 to 40 centimeters.

Echeveria agave / Flowering

Echeveria Derenberga ( Echeveria derenbergii)

It is a plant with rosettes of cylindrical leaves and creeping shoots. The leaves of this species are wide with a pointed tip. The size of the leaves, as a rule, reach 3-4 centimeters in length and 2 centimeters in width. Most of the surface has a light green color with a whitish coating. The upper edge has a red-brown color. The flowering period of this species falls on the spring and summer months. Usually in the period from April to June, Echeveria Derenberg forms a short and few-flowered peduncle. Fully formed, the peduncle produces 3-5 orange flowers.

Echeveria Derenberga / Flowering

Echeveria bristly ( Echeveria setosa)

It is the most favorite type of flower growers. A succulent can be either with a short stem or without a stem, germinating only in the form of a rosette of leaves. The rosette has a dense structure with leaves of a dark green color, which are strewn with small bristles. white color. The leaf plate is usually obovate in shape with a triangular apex. The dimensions of the plate reach 7-9 centimeters in length and 2-3 centimeters in width. Flowering in this species occurs at the end of the spring period or at the beginning of the summer. The succulent blooms quite abundantly. The formed peduncle, as a rule, has a size of 30 centimeters. Two-color flowers bloom, red-yellow color. It is noted that the sepals and petals are densely pubescent.

Echeveria bristly / Flowering

Echeveria "Pearl of Nuremberg" ( Echeveria "Perle von Nurnberg")

A beautiful and graceful succulent that was created by crossing two types of echeveria. The hybrid has a thick and straight stem. The leaves of this species have a pink-gray hue or a delicate scarlet color, usually in early age. The flowers at the Nuremberg Pearl are a muted scarlet color and bloom in late spring.

Echeveria "Pearl of Nuremberg" / Flowering

Echeveria humpbacked (gibbifiora)

Of all the varieties, it differs in that it is quite similar to a tree. The stems of this plant are straight, slightly branched. Sockets are located on the upper parts of the shoots. The leaves are grey-green in color with brown tint, the size of the leaves usually reaches 20-25 centimeters in length and 10-15 centimeters in width. The leaf plate is convex at the bottom and concave at the top. Flowering of the humpbacked species usually occurs at the end of the summer period. The formed peduncle reaches 1 meter, forms spike-shaped inflorescences. The flowers of this species are two-colored: yellow on the inside and pale scarlet on the outside.

Echeveria humpbacked

Echeveria purpusorum ( Echeveria purpusorum)

Succulent, which is a stemless, slowly bushy plant that reaches 6 centimeters in diameter. The leaves of this species have a rigid structure, with a triangular shape and a pointed tip, up to 3 centimeters long and 2.5 centimeters wide. Echeveria purpusorum usually blooms in early spring. The flowers are usually collected in an inflorescence, which is 20 centimeters long. The flowers are orange-yellow in color and reach 2 centimeters in length.

Echeveria purpusorum

Echeveria Miranda ( Miranda)

One of the most sought after succulents among flower growers. The characteristic differences of this species are in its structure and appearance. So, the plant has several rosettes that look pretty calm and neat. Flower growers call rosettes of echeveria miranda "lying on the ground." In shape, these plants are similar to a lotus. This type is a hybrid, so it may have a tint on the leaves various shades. Usually Miranda has bluish, purple, pink, yellow, scarlet or silver hues on the leaves.

Echeveria Miranda

Echeveria Black Prince ( Black Prince)

It is a hybrid species. The leaves of this plant are green in color, at the tips they have a dark purple hue. Flowering usually occurs in late summer, inflorescences solid color, mostly scarlet, the flowers are not large.

echeveria black prince

Echevelia lilicina ( Echeveria lilacina)

A variety of succulent that easily adapts to home growing conditions. This species has a rosette with a size of about 10 -40 centimeters in diameter. It is noted that in a year, the plant may have several small rosettes and new leaves. In care, this species is not whimsical, in summer the flower requires a temperature of no more than 27 ° C, and in winter from 7 ° C to +15 ° C. Flowering usually occurs in late spring. The duration of flowering is 2-3 weeks, after which flowers of yellow and orange color bloom in the shape of a bell. Flowers bloom from the middle of the rosette.

Echevelia lilicina

Echeveria pulidonis ( Echeveria pulidonis)

Echeveria pulidonis is one of the many species of the succulent family. This species has a rosette measuring 15 centimeters in diameter. Bes stem plant has distinctive features, such as: elongated and narrow leaves, up to 7 centimeters in length. It has a blue tint, it is distinguished by a bright red edging of the leaves. Flowering occurs in summer. The peduncle, as a rule, is formed long and tall, blooms with flowers of a bright yellow color, bell-shaped.

Echeveria pulidonis / Flowering

Care

Echeveria, like all plants from the succulent genus, does not require careful care. Echeveria home flower takes root favorably in various conditions. However, for the longevity of the flower, you need to follow some rules.

Lighting

Lighting plays a rather significant role in the life of echeveria.

• The plant requires sunlight. In their absence, the flower may slow down its growth or even die;
• Experienced growers are advised to keep this succulent on the southern part of the loggia or window, so echeveria can receive a sufficient amount of ultraviolet rays;
• In winter, the use of photo lamps is recommended.

Temperature

• In summer, the favorable temperature for echeveria is from 22 ° C to 27 ° C;
• In the winter season, the plant needs to be kept cool, the acceptable temperature in winter is from 6 to 8 ° C;
• Lower or higher temperatures can cause sockets to stretch and become loose.

Bloom

The flowering process of this succulent requires compliance with several important rules:

• It is required to maintain a temperature regime of 15-18 ° C for 50 days;
• The duration of the day should be 12-13 hours;
• In winter, it is required to use photolamps to enrich the plant with ultraviolet light.

In general, flowering occurs in early spring, without any problems. It is only required to help the plant by monitoring the weather.

Watering

Echeveria, like all plants of the succulent family, requires balanced and moderate watering, as the plant tends to accumulate moisture in the leaves or trunk. It is important to know that between waterings, you need to make sure that the soil has dried out by a third in the depth of the pot. In case of lack of moisture, the succulent will become lethargic, and if not watered for a long time, the plant will wrinkle the leaves.

In the process of watering, you need to be as careful as possible so as not to get water on the leaves. When water gets on the leaves of the plant, or in the outlet, it begins to rot.

Soil and transplant

• The flower feels good in loose, low-nutrient neutral substrates;
• A specially prepared soil for succulents is also well suited, into which river sand, mainly coarse-grained and brick chips, can be added;
• In the resulting mixture, also add crushed charcoal, which will serve as a prophylaxis for root rot;
• Shallow containers are suitable for planting;
• It is required to create a drainage layer of expanded clay at the bottom of the pot, to protect the soil from liquid stagnation;
• A transplant is required for a new plant brought from the store. Further, as they grow (every 1-2 years).

We transplant Echeveria

fertilizers

It is recommended to fertilize only in the spring-summer periods, top dressing is prohibited in winter. The plant can be fed liquid fertilizers during the irrigation process. It is recommended to use fertilizers for succulents and cacti. It is important to note that overfeeding the plant will lead to a deterioration in appearance.

reproduction

Reproduction is quite easy at home. As a rule, the process of reproduction is carried out with the help of seeds or vegetatively - by a leaf. In the case of propagation using seeds, it is required to follow the instructions indicated on the bag of seeds. In the case of vegetative propagation, it is required to dry the leaves and rosettes before planting, the drying should last no more than two days. Then planted in the sand, the horses of the plant should germinate within 2-3 weeks.

Diseases and pests

The plant is quite rarely exposed to pests, as it has a fairly strong surface protection in the form of bristles on the sheets. Diseases in echeveria can occur due to proper care. The most common diseases in this succulent are various rots, caused in most cases by excessive watering.

Cultivation of succulents has become a fashionable hobby of the time. These plants belong to the Tolstyankov species, and the most famous representative is the cactus, a longtime resident of apartments. Echeveria is better known as "stone flower". The variety of shapes and colors of this plant species has made it a desirable inhabitant of window sills and greenhouses.

Description of echeveria

The habitat of the plant is the rocky plateaus of Mexico and South America. Its huge leaves in natural conditions become a source of moisture for the natives. The name of the plant was in the classification in honor of the artist, illustrator of books on animals and flora Mexico A. Egeveria.

In nature, plants are stunted or with a short stem. At home, depending on the light, you can grow a long trunk and various forms. A leaf from 3 to 15 cm wide and 25 cm long stores large reserves of water and, like all succulents, can do without watering for a long time. Echeveria leaves are adapted to both heat and cold. They are covered with a wax coating, in the summer they become bluish-white, reflecting the sun's rays. Leaves withstand slight cooling due to a fleecy blanket on top, which becomes thicker by winter.

This type of succulent blooms at any time of the year, but more often in spring and summer, since it needs maximum lighting during flowering. There are more than 150 varieties of indoor plants, and most often only a few are bred, due to their availability for reproduction.

Among them are:

1. almost without a stem with a collected rosette of leaves of different shades, pointed at the tips. Blooms in late spring.
2. Echeveria Derenberga has creeping shoots, and rosettes of leaves are collected in cones resembling spruce. The fleshy leaves are shovel-shaped, up to 4 cm long.
3. Echeveria graceful does not have a stem, the leaf is similar to a spoon, only ovoid in shape.
4. Echeveria bristles i is one of the most common varieties for home breeding. It has longer leaves and blooms profusely, throwing out a 30 cm peduncle.
5. Echeveria cushion i represents a low shrub, with leaves densely pubescent with white pile.

Any bush of this plant for lovers of stone flowers becomes a welcome acquisition.

Echeveria home care

In order for the plant to develop well at home, it is necessary to fulfill the maintenance requirements that are close to the living conditions:

• illumination;
• temperature in winter and summer;
• fertilizers;
• soil composition;

In addition, you should know the main signs and diseases of plants. An important feature is the development of the root system, the methods of reproduction of this type of succulents.

One of the main conditions for the well-being of a plant is lighting. Echeveria is not afraid of the sun's rays, it can be located on all windows, except for the northern ones without shading. With insufficient lighting, flowering can not wait. Even during the dormant period, not all varieties need shading. In summer, plants will be happy to be on fresh air, open veranda or balcony. In any case, there should be an umbrella over the place where succulents grow to protect the leaves from an unexpected cloud. When water gets in, the leaves lose their decorative effect.

The most difficult thing in keeping echeveria at home is to ensure the temperature regime. If it is not difficult to create 22-27 in the summer, in the winter in room conditions it is difficult to find a bright place from 6-8. At higher temperatures, the stem stretches. If this is not critical for the owner of the succulent, then the guest tolerates a temperature of 18 degrees well.

Important in the care of echeveria at home is watering. In this case, it is better to dry the plant than to give excess water. With a lack of water, the leaves will wrinkle and then fill up again. When overflowing, the plate will soften and rotting may begin. In summer, watering is moderate, the earth should dry out by 2/3 in height, while the leaves will wilt a little. When watering, avoid droplets of water on the plants. Most often, bottom watering is used, through drainage holes. In winter, watering is halved, watered a little based on the condition of the plants. Excessive moisture will lead to the death of the succulent.

The composition of the soil should be as close to natural as possible. The soil is thin, with a predominance of sand and stone chips, acidic from a peat substrate. You can buy ready soil for cacti and add ingredients:

• coarse sand;
• crushed charcoal;
• brick chips;
• vermiculite.

The sour composition can be made independently by mixing the top and bottom, leaf humus, and for nutritional value, add a little biohumus. After disinfecting home-made or purchased soil, add the listed fillers to it.

Dishes for caring for Echeveria are selected wide and flat, in which the roots are located horizontally. The composition of the soil is such that young growing specimens need frequent transplantation. mature plant relocate to a new bowl as needed. In any case, they try not to injure the bush during transplantation. Adult plants are fed during the warm period of the year once a month with special liquid fertilizers for succulents.

Dry air of the apartment with winter heating by radiators with hot water favorable for the plant. No spraying and moisturizing is required when caring for echeveria at home.

Echeveria breeding

The plant propagates by seeds, leaf blades or upper parts sockets. Seed propagation is used by breeders to obtain new decorative properties. In practice, echeveria is propagated vegetatively.

The taken sheet is dried for several hours, and then deepened. Rooting occurs within a few days, new mini plants will be created, which will subsequently bloom in 2-4 years. If propagated by an apical rosette, then flowering can be obtained in the same year.

Bloom

Different varieties of Echeveria bloom in their own period. You can collect a collection so that flowering becomes continuous. The main condition is the intensity of the light flux. Therefore, often experienced flower growers organize. The flower emerges from the axils of the leaves, it is naked, leafy. Sometimes it hovers above the plant at a height, in other cases it clings to the bush. Flowers are pollinated well, and viable seeds are in the resulting box.

The benefits of the plant

Creating a garden of succulents on the window has a beneficial effect on the room. The air is enriched with oxygen and ozone, humidity rises, clothes sparkle less. In general, the living inhabitants of the windowsill evoke positive emotions.

Reproduction of echeveria - video