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Home > Plant profiles > Echeveria; ‘Zorro’, ‘Big Red’ and ‘Blue Curls’
Echeveria; ‘Zorro’, ‘Big Red’ and ‘Blue Curls’
 Botanical name: Echeveria x hybrida
Origin: Native to Texas, Mexico, Central America to South America.
Name: Named after Atansio Echeverria Codoy and 18th century Spanish botanist.
Comments: Echeveria’s are evergreen succulents that often display colorful leaves usually in rosettes. Some species offset freely from the base to form large mats, some are on large stems. They have succulent smooth leaves. The stems bear either a few or many blooms of bell shaped flowers and droop from the apex. Most species lose their lower leaves in winter. Depending on your level of humidity, these leaves are fertile ground for fungus that can then attack the plant. It is better to remove them regularly. Another consequence is that after a couple of years the plants look untidy. It is better then to re-root the main rosette(s) and keep the rest of the plant for propagation.
Tips: They are extremely drought tolerant once established, and can go for long periods without water. Most are easily propagated from leaf cuttings. Remove the stem from the leaf sideways so that it remains intact, otherwise it may not root. Some varieties like Big Red and Zorro will need to be cut off with a sharp knife if they become too tall. Leave the cutting until it dries out a bit and then replant. Keep the lower part of the stem as it may produce shoots.
Echeverias make great displays in pots, baskets and rockeries. Plant with grasses for an interesting display that will not only be tolerant but will look great too.
Contacts:
www.plantsdatabase.com
www.gardenweb.com
www.desert-tropicals.com
The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants.
The Australian Gardening Encyclopedia – Better Homes and Gardens.
Family: Crassulaceae.
Plant type: Evergreen perennials.
Size (HxW): ‘Zorro’ and ‘Blue Curls’ 20cm x 40cm. ‘Big Red’ 30cm x 50cm.
Depth and spacing: Plant with the crowns at soil surface level and leave one plant width between each plant.
Watering: Water minimally – a dryer soil results in a more intense colour.
Frost tolerance: Tender (protect from frosts).
Flowering time: ‘Zorro’ All year. ‘Big Red’ and ‘Blue Curls’ Summer.
Soil: Exceptionally well drained.
Climate: Cool to temperate.
Aspect: Full sun. These plants will tolerate a little shade but their colour will be muted.
Fertilizer: Use a weak liquid fertilizer. Avoid over fertilizing these plants as this can produce weak and lanky growth.
Pruning: Remove the spent flower stems.
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