angel78 Yes, that is Echeveria Black Prince - the leaves/color should be very dark red (almost black) - that's why it's called Black prince....I don't have as much sun as you and only part of the year they could be outside (pretty cold here in Canada!); but in summer they are outside in full sun. Crenda's get to be outside year round since she is in much warmer climate. As she pointed out too, they should get as much sun as possible, otherwise they will stay green (which is nice color too!), but they will also stretch (etoilate) since they will try to 'reach' for more sun/light - your plant is already doing that, it's visible in new growth. It is hard to give them enough sunlight in apartment, so maybe you can add some artificial light? It will not be as good as outside, but will help some. If you don't like the dark leaves, there are many succulents that are just green. These plants should be compact, with relatively short stem/stalk when conditions are right. Even totally green ones will start 'stretching' if they don't receive enough sunlight. But well draining soil is most important, and I hope you'll have chance to read thread Crenda pointed out to you. Succulents do not need much water, so don't worry about your shipment (hope it is not coming from someplace where there is winter now! In hot climate they may be rather too hot-suffocating if in the box for too long.) I have some cuttings just sitting there without soil for months, there is nothing wrong with them. They are much better off dry than wet - they could last without soil for weeks and months; too much wetness for same periods of time will kill them thou. Rina

The partially broken piece is about the 'right' size, I would cut the others similar in size. Just past A, not longer than B. After callusing and subsequent potting up, leave in bright spot for a while, moving into as much sun as possible gradually. Do not detach babies, they are too small. Staying attached to the trunk, they get plenty of food and water from it. They may grow tiny roots too, but may not. Stems of the side shoots may or may not also grow some babies. Succulents like well-draining potting mix, containing grit, perlite, turface, pumice, scoria...few of these ingredients mixed together make good mix. Re-potting the original plant into similar mix will be very beneficial in the long run. Exciting, you are getting so many new plants (for the price of one :)

Hook - I changed things yes, but this is one of the only plants that isn't liking the same conditions/culture as the rest of the ones I also changed :) anton - what kind of light do you give yours? I did a bit of reading and some mentions of Lilacina liking more shade than other ech? On J uly 14th after my initial repotting July 10th from nursery pot (was in very wet dense potting soil). Seems I have not photographed this plant very much on its own. It didn't seem to like the 50/50 mix much, so when I made the "fail mix" (when I bought the Qualisorb and added way too much, plus didn't screen anything) I put her in that. She clearly didn't like that either. Before I left on holiday July 22, I repotted all the "fail mix" plantings with extra perlite for drainage and did not water for a week. So she went from very wet to super dry :-P She has roots - not chopped, palms :) - but late last night I felt compelled to check them. They were not great; small root ball, definitely not growing well and caked with fine soil. The soil in the pot was still very damp on the bottom half and I had to thump the pot to get it out. I cleaned them up, and repotted her back into a small nursery pot with small-gauge gritty mix. Hopefully this will allow the roots to start growing. I have to stop messing around with this poor plant! I am still wondering if I should have her in the hot sunny spot... I think I'll try the east a window which is bright but only gets direct sun in the morning.

Kd, I've just realised that I've been pulling off the leaves that are lower than the main rosette to propagate. I'll stop now and leave them on the bottom section when I behead. The bottom will have more chance of surviving AND I might get pups!! That would be soooooo exciting lol. I've got 2 on a pot of mix that have roots and one on my leaf shelf that will hopefully also root. I'll be a Nana again!