Shattering echeveria - 20 seeds
Shattering echeveria - 20 seeds
Echeveria diffractens is a glabrous, perennial, stemless or short-stemmed, succulent species that form solitary, flattened rosettes only 2-5 cm tall and 10 cm wide. The leaves are spatulate in shape with, rounded to obtuse apex reddish-purple or pinkish-grey-violet with a light thin cream outline. In late winter to spring several unbranched erect flowering stems are produced from the center of the rosette. As the inflorescence ages, it elongates and becomes less erect with the stem leaves easily falling off as the many pale orange flowers emerge. New plants can be grown from the small leaflets (bracts) on the flower stalk. It isn't a fast grower but produces flowers on very small plants. This is typically a solitary plant in habitat but in cultivation older plants will often be in a cluster.
1. Sterilize substrate (3+ minutes in microwave or 50 mins in oven)
2. Planters should be about 1.5 inches deep. Fill a container with good draining soil. Good drainage is important, 50% regular potting soil with 50% coarse sand, perlite or pebbles (~0.15 inch)
3. Echeverias have tiny seeds which should not be covered with soil. They germinate best at 18-20 °C temperatures.
4. Equally Water the substrate with water - placie 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 exposing to direct sunlight, but provide them light on some 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, 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
13. Buy only fresh echeveria seeds, and only from reputable sources, like www.rareplant.me
Light: Full sun. Perfect for a sunny window. Water: Water during the summer and spring, making sure drainage is immaculate. Reduce water in the winter to monthly. Temperature: Prefers average summer temps (65ºF/18ºC – 70ºF/21ºC). In winter, cool to 50ºF/10ºC. Soil: A well-drained succulent mix, with an ideal pH around 6.0 (slightly acidic). Fertilizer: Feed with a controlled-release fertilizer in the beginning of the season or weekly with a weak liquid solution. Use a balanced 20-20-20 fertilizer at 1/4 strength on mature plants, and a fertilizer with less nitrogen on young plants. Most Echeveria can be easily propagated from leaf cuttings, although a few are better from seeds or stem cuttings.