Echeveria colorata Tapalpa - 20 seeds

Echeveria colorata is a beautiful large succulent that forms mostly a solitary rosette up to 16 inches (40 cm) in diameter, with distinctive silvery upright arching fleshy lance shaped leaves with a fine point edged in red. The sweet pink flowers and arching stems appear in midsummer to fall.

HOW TO GROW?

1. Sterilize substrate (3+ minutes in a microwave or 50 mins in the oven)
2. Planters should be about 1.5 inches deep. Fill a container with good draining soil. Good drainage is essential; 50% regular potting soil with 50% coarse sand, perlite, or pebbles (~0.15 inch)
3. Echeverias have tiny seeds that should not be covered with soil. They germinate best at 18-20 °C temperatures.
4. Equally Water the substrate with water - place a piece of a napkin on top of the substrate and slowly pour the water over it.
5. Let the container soak up water for 5 minutes. Leave the container to drain out the water surplus.
6. Spread the seeds over the substrate, leave some space between them.
7. Put the whole container into a zip bag to keep humidity
8. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight but put them on a bright place.
9. The germination process usually starts within 4 days – 2 weeks
10. Start opening the container gradually so that the seedlings can get used to the new air conditions. Seedlings need some moisture, the substrate shouldn’t be dry, but don’t overwater. and they need an ample amount of light – but not direct sunlight
11. Repot them when you notice that seedlings are space-limited
12. Examine pots daily for fungus infection. Treat with fungicide if appears

Climate

Echeveria and other non-hardy succulents look amazing in patio planters. Echeverias are originally from Mexico and Central America. They aren’t used to the cold and will die in freezing temperatures. Just because you live where winter is a real winter doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy these colorful plants.
You can keep them healthy during the cold months by moving them indoors. Then, once the threat of frost has passed, gradually move them back outside in the spring. Other people who want to enjoy these colorful plants, but don’t want houseplants, treat Echeveria like annuals and just plant anew each spring.

Light

Like they’re used to in their native growing grounds, Echeveria like full sun. However, try to avoid these two things: drastic sunlight changes and summer afternoon full sun.
Dramatic changes in lighting can stress plants out. If you are moving your plants outside in the spring, do it gradually. A couple of hours in the morning sun, then a few more, until they are in full sun.
Intense afternoon sun can, in some regions, be too strong, and the leaves will sunburn. Burned leaves will not heal, and since Echeveria keep their leaves for a long time, it will look burned for a long time. If the damage is severe, you will be best off to cut the head off the plant and let it re-grow from the stalk.
During the winter, when your plants are inside, put them near the brightest window in your house. Your plants will stretch if they don’t have enough sunlight. Ideally, you would put your plants near a south-facing window. If that isn’t an option, though, put them near a window that gets the most light.

Water

Echeveria, indoors or outside, don’t like to be kept too wet, but they also don’t like to be kept too dry. We typically find that succulents like more water than most people think. In a house, the dry home temperatures dry things out even faster. You don’t want your soil to be bone dry, or it will wither the plant’s roots.
When you water Echeveria, water the soil and not the rosette. Pour on the water until it drains out the bottom. Repeat this a couple of times. Then don’t water again until the soil has dried out. You don’t want your plant to remain soaking wet all the time. To help prevent this, don’t let the pot sit in a saucer full of water. The time between watering depends on the temperatures and conditions of the plant.
The most common problems seen on Echeveria are due to poor watering habits. Over and under watering can both produce similar symptoms. Wilting, shriveling, dropping leaves. You know your own watering habits best. Keep an eye on your plants and make adjustments if needed.

Soil

Like all succulents, Echeveria needs soil that drains quickly. This helps prevent moisture from rotting the roots. Many growers will create their own special mixture of soil and perlite. However, good quality potting soil or a cactus mix will work fine. As a rule of thumb, when you squeeze a handful of moist soil together, it should crumble apart again when released.
You will often read “sandy” in the soil requirements for succulents. This simply means that the soil needs to drain well. If you do add actual sand to your soil, make sure that it is coarse grained. Fine sand will clog the air pockets in the soil.