Method of Cultivating Hemispheric Echeveria
Below is an introduction to the small knowledge of the succulent plant Hemispheric Echeveria, including its cultivation methods. Let's take a look together!
Hemispheric Echeveria is also known as Short-leaved God Plant. The whole plant is hairless, with many branches growing at the base of the plant. The stems and branches are white and fleshy, turning brown later, with the lower part of the stem being hollow. The leaves are sessile, opposite, flat on the front and rounded on the back, resembling a hemisphere, and are hard and fleshy. The yellow-green leaf margins are red, especially noticeable in late autumn and early spring when the temperature difference is large. The plant flowers are cream-colored, blooming from April to June.
Hemispheric Echeveria requires plenty of sunlight and a cool, dry environment, tolerates semi-shade, dislikes waterlogging, and avoids hot and humid conditions. It has the habit of growing in cool seasons and dormant in high summer temperatures. From September of each year to June of the following year is the growing period of the plant (the growing period varies depending on the environment of the plant enthusiasts). Insufficient light will cause the plant to elongate, with the distance between leaves increasing, making the plant loose, and the red color of the leaf margins fading, with the leaf stalks becoming tender. Plants growing in sufficient sunlight are shorter and sturdier, with relatively compact internode arrangement.
The Hemispheric Echeveria flown by the author is kept in a sunroom with full sunlight. During the growing season, it is necessary to keep the soil moist but avoid waterlogging. The author uses a mixture of coal slag, peat, and a small amount of perlite, with a ratio of about 5:4:1, and covers the soil surface with small stones. Hemispheric Echeveria can withstand temperatures as low as about -2°C, which is the indoor temperature, not outdoors. Any lower, and the growing tips of the leaves will frostbite and dry up, dying, and new lateral branches will sprout from the withered spots the following year. Watering is basically stopped during the whole winter, and it should be gradually reduced below 5 degrees Celsius.
During the high summer temperatures, the entire plant grows slowly or stops completely. At this time, good ventilation and appropriate shading are required to avoid direct sunlight, and watering should be moderate, with no prolonged rain to prevent rotting of the plant. Hemispheric Echeveria can be pruned frequently during the cultivation process to remove tangled branches and maintain a beautiful shape.
Propagation of Hemispheric Echeveria is generally done by cutting the top, taking healthy branches with growing points, cutting them into sections about 3 to 5 centimeters high, drying the wound, and then inserting them, or directly inserting them into dry granular soil. After a few days, a small amount of water is given. Hemispheric Echeveria is a very easy-to-propagate species, with many small roots easily growing between the leaves. When it encounters suitable soil, it will firmly root itself.
Another benefit of topping propagation is that it allows the mother plant to achieve a better shape. Enthusiastic gardeners can try this method. After topping, new growing points will sprout from the cut area, and some may produce two branches. Multiple toppings can make the plant appear inverted cone-shaped, top-heavy and unstable, requiring support.
That is a detailed explanation of the cultivation methods of Hemispheric Echeveria, for everyone's reference and suggestions!