The true paradise for succulents is the Mexican Plateau
Brilliant days
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moumoon
00:00/04:06
BGM：brilliant days
When people mention Mexico, what comes to mind?
Streets full of exotic charm? The Day of the Dead? Or the rows upon rows of columnar cacti in the Mexican desert?
But as the place of origin for succulents, Mexico doesn't just have cacti and agaves; it also has the Echeveria elegans and Echeveria pulidonis that we love. Why is that?
Let's first look at Mexico's location.
- A uniquely privileged geographical position -
The Mexican Plateau is surrounded by the Chihuahuan Desert, the Sierra Madre Oriental and the Sierra Madre Occidental. You have to admit, Mexicans are really easy to remember when it comes to naming things...
Further up it connects to the Colorado Plateau, the famous place of origin for the Chihuahua, and to the north is the place of origin for Dudleya - California.
- A warm and pleasant climate -
The plateau, surrounded by mountains, has the Gulf of Mexico to its west, which is an important ocean current on the Atlantic and the largest ocean current in the world.
It originates in the Gulf of Mexico, passes through the Straits of Florida, follows the eastern waters of the United States and the Canadian province of Newfoundland northward, and finally crosses the North Atlantic to reach the Arctic Ocean. At around 40 degrees north latitude and 30 degrees west longitude, the Gulf Stream splits into two branches: the northern branch crosses into European waters and becomes the North Atlantic Drift, while the southern branch returns to the equator via West Africa.
Because the Mexican Plateau has obvious vertical climate characteristics, temperatures are mild year-round,with an average temperature of 10°C to 26°C; the coastal and southeastern plains have a tropical climate.
Most areas have a dry season (October to April) and a rainy season (May to September), with the rainy season accounting for 75% of the annual rainfall.
This warm current brings abundant moisture to Mexico during the rainy season, affecting Mexico's weather. This warm place is precisely the place of origin for some Crassulaceae succulents.
Because most of Mexico's territory is plateau terrain, with no severe cold in winter and no extreme heat in summer, and all plants staying green through the four seasons, it enjoys the reputation of the "Pearl of the Plateau."
Suitable temperatures, high altitude, intense ultraviolet rays, and appropriate humidity - a true succulent paradise!
Distribution map of Crassulaceae succulents on the Mexican Plateau:
Echeveria elegans, Echeveria pulidonis, Echeveria 'Taheri', Graptopetalum amethystinum...Oh my, everything everyone loves is right here!
Its one-of-a-kind geographical environment and terrain have created its rich succulent resources. So envious!
This inevitably brings to mind a saying:
"All roads lead to Rome..."
"No, I was born in Rome."
(Author: Manman Qiduo, "AMW Battle Royale")
- Kunming, gazing at each other across the map -
As the place of origin, the Mexican Plateau gradually rises from north to south, roughly divided into northern and southern parts by 22° north latitude, with the central region at 30° north latitude. Looking on a map, the place with roughly the same altitude and latitude is exactly - Kunming.
So this is why the radiation area of Yunnan centered on Kunming is called a cheat zone.
But compared with the Mexican Plateau, Kunming's reputation as the Spring City has actually held it back. Kunming's rainfall is clearly higher than that of the Mexican Plateau, so it can only be considered a low-spec version.
But compared with other regions in China, the climate of Kunming and its surrounding areas is obviously cheating. Low-spec is low-spec - a one-of-a-kind low-spec.
Like Mexico, Yunnan has high latitude, suitable temperatures and strong ultraviolet rays. In a place like this, succulents are simply cheating.
- Mineral resources -
Besides its excellent climate, the Mexican Plateau is even richer in mineral resources: three major volcanoes. What do volcanoes have? Volcanic rock, of course, plus rich diatomite deposits. The right timing, right place and right conditions have created the Mexican Plateau's rich succulent resources.
Climb a mountain and you can scrape up some soil to plant succulents. So it's not groundless that gritty soil suits succulents.
From the environmental conditions of the Mexican Plateau, we can draw the conclusion:
Suitable growing temperature for some Crassulaceae succulents: 5°C to 25°C. They should not be watered too much and prefer gritty soil.
Although we keep saying succulents suit these conditions, the specific reasons still have to be analyzed from their place of origin.Please look forward to it: analyzing the environment of Aeonium. If you want to see it, hit like~
·END·
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