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Cacti & Succulents

My succulent is really tall and leaning on a stick! help!

8 years ago

I don't know what kind of succulent this is. When I bought it about 3 years ago, it was about an inch tall and now it is over 2 feet tall. I want it to get bigger as in thicker but dont know how to :( . Is this type of growth normal?

Featured Answer

Neil

8 years ago

Aurora- your Echeveria Setosa is extremely etiolated. Etiolation is a condition where the stem of a succulent stretches because it is not receiving adequate sunlight. What I would do with your particular plant is to cut off the main "rosette," completely off with a clean pair of pruners or whatever you have that is sharp. You want to snip it off cleanly, not saw it off. Leave about 3 inches of the stem on the rosette.

Once you've done that, place the rosette/cutting on a clean, dry, surface...stones, dry soil, will work, perlite if you have that. Pull off the bottom leaves, about 2 or three so you have a nice piece of the stem visible. You want to achieve a nice cut like the picture I've posted for you.

Place it out of direct sunlight, somewhere with shade. The rosette needs to form a dry, calloused area where you made the cut. I would give it at least a week to 2 weeks before I plant it in soil. during this time of waiting, I do not water it at all.

Now, back to your main plant for a moment. From your picture I would guess you could probably make a 2nd cut under the bottom most leaves and make another cutting. Try to make cuttings as pictured above.

Your main stem appears to be at least 3 feet in length. I would also cut that to at least 5 inches in height. The rest of the stem I would cut into pieces at least 5 inches long. This method may allow you to grow new rosettes on all of the pieces as well, which in time you can remove from the stem giving you new plants. Lay each of the pieces on a clean, dry surface as well.

If you don't want more plants, you can skip this step altogether.

Now, on he stem you have left...the one that is already planted, the one I told you to keep at least 5 inches high is still alive. It will grow a new rosette. Place it in a spot with more sun so it does not "etiolate" (stretch) again. Water as you usually have been doing. Hopefully once a week or every 10 days.

Let us know how you make out!

Forum members: If I missed anything please comment. it's 1:30am lol.

Best of luck Aurora.

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Comments (10)

Aurora P.
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
This is a closeup of the top. I think it is a echiveria setosa because its furry but again idk.
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breathnez
8 years ago
Thanks for illustrating this process, Neil. I am newly interested in, and starting to acquire, echeveria. I'm sure this will be helpful as I go along.
Neil
8 years ago
That's great Breathnez!
ehuns27 7a PA
8 years ago
From my understanding Echeveria tend to etiolate faster than other succulents, which is why I have very few of them. I am more of a jade person but the concepts are the same. Follow Neil's suggestions, and especially consider moving it to more sunlight. I see you have it in a window. Any idea what direction it faces? South facing windows are ideal for growing plants indoors. If it is in a S, E, or W facing window currently there may be something outside obstructing the sunlight (a tree, for example). If you can find a nice spot outside that is covered from any rainfall that would be the best place to put it during warmer months.

-Erica
Aurora P.
Original Author
8 years ago
@neil Thank you so much for the detailed care instructions! I will be sure to give it try although I am quite nervous since this is my favorite plant!

@Erika The window is facing west facing our backyard patio which is shaded so the echeveria doesn't get direct sunlight. I Have tried placing different potted succulents on my front porch (E) which gets a good 4-5 hour of direct sun light but they have all either turned yellow or burned up. :(
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
8 years ago
Dark room will not help you growing this succulent. You need to put it out as much as you can - you burned them most likely because you just put them out. They need to be acclimatized to natural light slowly. Your front porch sounds great for succulents.
Leaves turning yellow is quite often sign of overwatering, especially if they are also soft.
If provided proper care (including sunlight), the plant may look like this:

click here
breathnez
8 years ago
If the porch is glassed in, your plants would do better to be several inches away from the glass.
Aurora P.
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you all so much for your great advice!

@rina omg that succulent looks AMAZING!!
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
8 years ago
Aurora
I wish it was mine:-)
I don't think I can grow one like that - not enough sun...but, if I had a greenhouse...Rina

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