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Cacti & Succulents

New and Confused.. Plant changing need info

14 years ago

I received this a couple of years ago but it looked radically different. It was very wide and no stem. Last year it grew a stem and now it has new plants growing from the stem. My question is the whole in the stem a problem or it just how the offshoot grow. Should i remove the new plants. One has a lot of roots growing... does that mean it is thirsty and needs to be removed and repotted? if so how? If i remove it will the main plant be ok with that whole?

Does any one know what it is?

please look at link of picture

Thank you

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:621043}}

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Comments (2)

paracelsus
14 years ago
It looks like an Aeonium. It would be easier to identify looking at the rosettes head-on, and a little sharper please. Aeoniums have ciliate edges (tiny teeth). It could also be an Echeveria, but I think Aeonium is more likely. What do the leaf edges look like up close?

The air roots develop normally, and also in response to dry conditions, or rot in the main stem. You can remove offsets in growing seasons (Sept-Nov and Feb-June). The closer you cut to the lowest leaf of the rosette, the quicker it will root, but stems with lots of air roots can be left longer. I leave 2-3 inches of stem, or less. You do not need to remove offsets. Over time, the branches will become woody and firm, and the plant will become a shrub.

Let the cut dry in the air (callous) for several days, then plant in dry soil. Wait at least a couple of weeks to allow roots to develop before deep watering. Water when dry except in the heat of mid-summer, when Aeoniums are dormant, and can not absorb water. I know it seems strange not to water during the hottest time of the year, and rosettes will lose a lot of leaves as their moisture is resorbed to keep the plant alive, but the roots can not absorb much water in the summer, and wet feet lead to root and stem rot. Aeoniums are from the Canary islands, and are called 'Winter growers'. In climates with temperatures dropping below about 40F overnight, Aeoniums will become dormant again, and need to be protected from too much moisture, and frost.

I hope that helps,

Brad
penfold2
14 years ago
That is definitely an Echeveria. The stem, leaf shape, abundant aerial roots, and even the way the old leaves shrink towards the stem when dead, all point to Echeveria.

The hole in the stem is likely due to some mechanical damage or rot that it suffered in the past, but is nothing to worry about now.

The reason it's growing long stems is because it's searching for more light. To get it back to its original appearance you'll need to cut off a rosette (leaving a bit of stem), allow it to callous, and then repot it at soil level. It will quickly root at any time of the year and is already trying to do so as you can see. Then it needs lots of light (direct sun) in order to maintain that appearance.

These are pretty tough plants, but they like a lot of light, and will go in search of it if they're not getting it.
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