The first one looks just like an Echeveria 'Perle von Nurnberg' to me, albeit one that hasn't seen enough sunlight to turn the leaves purple. Plain old echeverias can grow thick stems over time.

Looks like a Notocactus to me, definitely not Gymnocalycium or Ferocactus. I'm not good at identifying them, but N. concinnus comes to mind. Notocactus species are often variable.

Echinopsis can be stored in a refrigerator, the Notocactus will probably work too if kept dry. Some Notocactus benefit from a little water a few times during winter to avoid root loss, but I don't think they should be stored cold with damp soil.

The first plant is a perfectly healthy Graptoveria 'Fred Ives', without doubt. It has been growing in adequate light, and is not an etiolated and wrongly colored 'Perle von Nurnberg'.

This plant changes color dramatically through the seasons. It will start to become blue in the next few weeks, returning though purple to green, and then on to bronze and yellow. Great plant, offsets frequently. Rosettes grow up to a foot across. Behead it every three years or so to keep it compact. Looks fantastic as a clump. Happy growing!

Pachyveria 'Fred Ives' November 8, 2008:

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March 12, 2008:

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Brad

All Aeoniums have tiny teeth on the leaf margins. Echeveria, Pachyphytum, and Graptopetalum (including hybrids) have smooth leaf edges.

Thanks for clearing that up, Brad. I must admit that I have trouble distinguishing between Graptoveria and Echeveria. I was just tending to my 'Perle von Nurnberg' when I saw this post, so it might have just been primed in my brain!

Sorry for the confusion,
Sarah

Sarah, I apologize for being a bit too blunt in my post. Distinguishing Echeveria from Pachyphytum from Graptopetalum, Pachyveria, and Graptoveria is a very tricky business. I've been growing Graptoveria 'Fred Ives' for a number of years now, so I know what it looks like at all times of year, and in various amounts of sun exposure.

Looking at my post, I see that I mislabeled the photo. It is Graptoveria 'Fred Ives', not Pachyveria. These two groups can be very hard to tell apart sometimes. Fred is supposed to be Graptopetalum paraguayanse X Echeveria gibbiflora.

Brad

Here is a link that might be useful: Related thread

Brad's definitely correct on the 'Fred Ives'. Even though I ID'd only recently, I have grown several since 2005. It's a strong plant and will thrive well.

Brad, I'd love to know the names of the two jewels growing in the top center of your last photo. One is large, bright and red the other is small and bright green.

Jason

Thanks Jason. The red one with the crenelated leaves is a NOID Echeveria hybrid. I wish I knew it's name. It came with a meaningless 'Echeveria gibbiflora hybrid' tag.

The small green one is Graptoveria 'Silver Star'. It is a bit more delicate than most Echeveria, and needs some protection from cold and rain in the Winter.

Brad

Thank you everyone for your input!! I can always count on GW.

Steve