How to grow the succulent Qianyuhe (Echeveria 'Chicken Claw'), and does it bloom?
Many people love succulents precisely because of their plump, chubby, adorable look. But often only a few can actually keep a pot of succulents alive properly; some people's succulents have no “plumpness” at all, with leaves drooping, showing no sign of vitality whatsoever. In this season when all things revive, how can you grow a refined and lovely succulent? Let's take a look together at how to grow the succulent Qianyuhe.
How to grow the succulent Qianyuhe
1. Sunlight: Qianyuhe must get plenty of sunlight, must get plenty of sunlight, must get plenty of sunlight - important things said three times. If it receives too little sunlight, Qianyuhe will directly revert to its ancestral form, Echeveria peacockii.
2. Soil: Loose and fertile, the potting soil should have good air permeability - leaf mold or peat soil. Take equal parts of coarse sand or vermiculite, mix evenly, and that's basically it; roughly the same as the soil for other Echeveria types.
3. Water: Stick to the principle of “don't water until dry, and water thoroughly when you do”; remember it absolutely must not become waterlogged, absolutely must not become waterlogged, absolutely must not become waterlogged. Qianyuhe's water requirements are not very high, so don't let it get waterlogged - if it does, the roots will rot very easily! In summer when temperatures are high, pay special attention to watering! Compared with other Echeveria, Qianyuhe is clearly more easily killed by waterlogging.
4. Temperature: The suitable growing temperature is around 20-30 degrees, basically inheriting the habits of Echeveria.
Does Qianyuhe bloom
Qianyuhe does not bloom. Qianyuhe is a plant of the genus Echeveria in the Crassulaceae family, also known as Chicken Claw Palm; it is a fasciated mutant variety of Echeveria peacockii (also called Yanglao). Its leaves are densely packed, making it the most forbidden succulent for people with trypophobia. Qianyuhe is a long-cultivated mutant variety, suitable for small potted plants at home, and can also be used to assemble succulent bonsai.
How to propagate Qianyuhe
1. Cuttings: Qianyuhe is best propagated by cuttings; in spring, select a healthy old plant, cut it apart and plant the cuttings. Qianyuhe's cutting survival rate is relatively high, so there's no need to worry much.
2. Leaf cuttings: Another propagation method is leaf cuttings, but with leaf cuttings there is a great chance it will revert to the original Echeveria peacockii.
Introduction to Qianyuhe
Qianyuhe is also called Chicken Claw Lotus or fasciated Echeveria; it is a perennial herbaceous succulent plant of the genus Echeveria in the Crassulaceae family. Its leaf shape is no different from ordinary Echeveria, except that because its stem tip growth cone splits horizontally in a band shape (that is, fasciation, also called cristation), the whole plant takes on the shape of a chicken's comb, hence the name. After several years of growth, its crown rotates and twists, and with coloring like carved pink jade, it looks even more exquisite and translucent, elegant and rare - truly a fine item for a desk display.
The original species has no stem or a short stem, with leaves tightly arranged into a rosette leaf disc; the leaves are long spoon-shaped, blue-gray-white, covered with thick white powder; the leaf base is narrow, the leaf texture thin, and the leaf tip has a small point. Leaves are 3—7 cm long and 2—4 cm wide. The inflorescence is 15—35 cm tall, with small bell-shaped flowers 0.9-1.2 cm long, red. Chicken Claw Palm is composed of countless overlapping leaves noticeably smaller than the original species, forming a chicken-comb-shaped plant; it grows much faster than the original species, its form is very unique, and it rarely blooms.
This is a long-cultivated mutant variety, suitable for small potted plants at home, and can also be used to assemble succulent bonsai. It likes abundant sunlight, and once sunlight is insufficient it quickly reverts to its ancestral form. It is easy to grow and grows fast, but it fears damp heat in summer, so watering should be controlled. It is usually planted in plain sandy soil without too much fertilizer; there is no need to apply additional fertilizer, but when there is potassium fertilizer in the soil it grows robustly. It is best to cut apart old plants for cuttings in spring; new plants are more resistant to summer. Be careful to guard against aphids and scale insects.
After reading the above introduction, is your heart fluttering even more? I think by now you can't wait to grow one yourself. During the growing process, pay more attention to the points I mentioned above, and I believe your Qianyuhe will surely become more and more beautiful.