How to grow Echeveria pulvinata well? A detailed guide to the latest care methods
Echeveria pulvinata is also known as golden chenille plant, velvet palm, cat ears, etc. It is a succulent of the genus Echeveria in the Crassulaceae family. Its thick, fleshy leaves are covered with fine, short white hairs. In an environment with ample sunlight and a large temperature difference, the leaf edges will be rimmed with a ring of brilliant red. In winter or early spring, it blooms with strings of small orange-red flowers, very beautiful. Now let us take a look at how to grow Echeveria pulvinata well!
The cultivation value of Echeveria pulvinata
Echeveria pulvinata is a relatively commonly cultivated succulent. Its thick, fleshy leaves are covered with fine, short white hairs, and the red at the tips of the leaf edges is bright and eye-catching, complementing the strings of small orange-red flowers that bloom in winter and early spring, exceptionally beautiful. Potted plants decorating a balcony, desk, or tea table are lively and interesting.
The growth habits of Echeveria pulvinata
Echeveria pulvinata is robust in habit, tolerant of drought, and averse to waterlogging. It likes light and also tolerates partial shade. It is suited to a cool, dry, and sunny environment, and is averse to wetness and muggy heat. During the growing season, it should not be watered too much. If the potting soil is too wet, the stems and leaves will become leggy, the distance between the leaves will lengthen, and the plant will not be compact, reducing its ornamental value. It can grow normally in partial shade, but the red color at the leaf edges and leaf tips will fade, or even disappear. It has a very strong resistance to ultraviolet rays.
Propagation methods for Echeveria pulvinata
Echeveria pulvinata can be propagated by cuttings during the growing season, and both stem cuttings and leaf cuttings can survive. For stem cuttings, generally cut off a top stem with leaves, about 10 cm long, and insert it into sandy soil; it will root in 10-15 days. For leaf cuttings, cut off a leaf, wait for the cut to dry, then insert it or lay it flat on a sand bed, keeping it slightly moist; it will root in about 20 days. Leaf cuttings are relatively difficult, so side shoots are often cut off for cuttings.
How to grow Echeveria pulvinata well?
1. Environment: Echeveria pulvinata likes a dry, warm, and sunny environment, and requires well-drained sandy loam soil. It is averse to waterlogging and afraid of low temperatures. In winter, the room temperature is best kept at around 10°C.
2. Fertilizing: During the growing season of Echeveria pulvinata, fertilize once a month to keep the leaves green and lush. Each application should not be too concentrated, as concentrated fertilizer harms the roots. However, too much fertilizer will cause the internodes to lengthen and affect its form. If the branches become leggy or aged, they can be cut short and fertilized to renew and rejuvenate the plant. Apply a dilute fertilizer low in nitrogen and high in phosphorus and potassium once every 15-20 days. When fertilizing, be careful not to splash the fertilizer water onto the leaves, so as to avoid forming unsightly spots that are very difficult to remove.
3. Watering: During the growing season of Echeveria pulvinata, do not water too much. If the potting soil is too wet, the stems and leaves are prone to becoming leggy, and the leaves and roots may rot, causing it to lose its ornamental value. Especially under low-temperature conditions in winter, if there is too much water, the roots are prone to rotting and dying.
4. Repotting: Repot Echeveria pulvinata every year in early spring, adding a mixed soil of loose, fertile leaf mold, potting soil, and coarse sand.
5. Summer: Echeveria pulvinata will have a brief dormancy in high summer temperatures, and the lower leaves will dry up and fall off. Reduce watering, and when cultivated on a balcony, never let it be washed by sudden rain showers.
6. Winter: In winter, place Echeveria pulvinata indoors in a sunny spot, maintain a temperature of 6-8°C, and restrict watering to prevent root rot caused by low temperature and moisture.