Thank you! I'll post pic of the flower wen it opens, maybe we can figure it out. I'm glad it's happy!

Thank you Sarah!!! Yes, they do look the same. It looks like yours is busting out all over with pups or blooms also

letsgobird7b and Sarah Gobin, my mom have the same echeveria, I think, at least from what I remember it, but it's not looking as good as yours. What are yours in? Do you keep it outside in full sun? How frequently do you water? Thanks

I have finally perfected a soil where echeverias don't die in it. I use 1/4 cactus and succulent soil mixed with 3/4 coarse sand (coarse sand is not regular sand, it's little pebbles about the size of aquarium rock. Many people on here have their own recipes of gritty mix but this one is easy for me. You can use perlite with the cactus soil also, about 60%perlite to 40% cactus soil. It should be very loose and water should run right through. The planter should not be too big with dead space and it must have a hole in the bottom. I use terra cotta pots.

Mine is outside on the east side of the house so it gets morning sun until about 2 PM. But if the plant has been inside you'll have to gradually increase exposure to the sun so the plant won't burn.

Watering is tricky. It must be dry before watering. I try to wait a week unless I see someone drooping or getting crispy. Temps here in Alabama is 80 now but humidity is 60% plus. We've had a week of excessive rains so I actually brought many of my echys inside so they wouldn't rot.

Is there any way you could post a pic of your moms plant ?

I just went there and took a photo. Looking again it's not the same as yours at all. I guess I've been looking at so many pictures of succulents here in the forum that my mind is all scrambled, lol.

But anyway your tips still applies. It needs to be repotted asap! It's outside so I think it's getting rain, maybe I can find a better spot for it. Look at that rotting leaf, so sad. I'll remove it right away and check the roots. Thanks!

That might be echeveria elegans. I see damage to one leaf that looks like a little critter might've munched on it, seems many of us are having that issue. And you're correct, that rotting leaf might be indicative of too wet soil . I'd repot in gritty mix in a pot with a hole. Did you notice if that pot had one? Oh, btw, thanks for going over and taking the pic!!

Of course I had to take the pic, you're so helpful! It's right nearby anyway. Thank you for the tips.

The pot does have holes, but the soil is terrible. My first ever cactus came in that same soil and it died in a couple of months even though I only watered it once. I've been using C&S mix and perlite on my succulents and it's working, but I'll repot my mom's echeveria with the C&S mix and coarse sand, I'm curious to try it, I found some at a local bonsai store today. Thanks again for the help!

Anytime! This forum has taught me so much , I had a tough summer last year with too wet soils and rot, I'm hoping this summer is better! Good luck to you!!

I feel you! If you struggle in Alabama imagine where I live, here is even wetter (humidity average is 85%, with 280 to 300 rainy days a year!) and there are so many bugs I almost gave up and bought all artificial plants, lol. I should change that desert profile photo to an aquarium and start looking into raising mushrooms. Good luck to you too!!

Hahahaha, omg. How daunting, up to 300 days of rain!! I think you can do it though if you plant correctly. I wonder if you could plant in 100% coarse sand, no soil, let that rain just run right through. Maybe someone will come on and give some tips.

#thestrugleisreal lol. I can't Imagine putting my succulents in the rain, even on 100% coarse sand, could this work?

I've accepted this city is for atlantic forest and rainforest species and I have to keep my sucs under a roof. Everyone seems to grow incredible orchids here idk how. But I'm not too much into flowers anyway.

I'll have too many graptopetalum paraguayenses when my propagation babies grow up, maybe I'll make an experiment then!

300 days of rain sounds too much for succulents even in pure grit IMO...What kid of set-up do you have, you said under the roof: is it open to outside (like a covered porch, or strictly indoors?

How coarse is the sand you have? If it sifts thru using regular kitchen strainer, it may be too fine. Otherwise it should work. It also shouldn't be beach sand, that is usually too salty and contains lots of crushed shells.

I would use mostly grit (or coarse sand-if coarse enough). To make pots bit lighter, you could add perlite. In much colder (and less rainy) location, I use mix of grit, perlite and smaller amount of turface - no soil or bark.

Hi Rina! Mine are in a balcony, as I live in an apartment, the one in the photo is in my mom's porch, but it's too close to the edge and it gets a bit of rain, so I'm moving it. But I'll make sure it gets enough light. They do get sunlight, it just happens to rain after lol.

The sand look like pebbles and is from a river. I'll sift it to get rid of any tiny parts. I'm looking into those discussions about gritty mix, sounds like it would work here!

Turface isn't available here though, I'd have to look for an alternative.

Do you ever fertilize?

Thanks.

L.B. Goodness! I wouldn't cope in that muggy heat. My plants would probably die because I'd be dying and I wouldn't care anymore lol. Good on ya. Sounds like you're doing well with your plants :-)

Helen, exactly. If I don't post in a while send help lol. I don't plan to stay here long though! And Adelaide must be lovely, it's definitely in my travel plans! :)

LB

I do not - but probably should. Well, succulents may get watered couple of times during summer with some leftover ferts after I watered garden beds.

Many ppl use ferts, I keep thinking that I should at least try...(maybe you had chance to see ewwmayo's photos - he is religious about fertilizing and his plants are showroom-ready :)

If you can get sifted sand max about 6mm (smaller is fine), and mix with perlite, maybe you should try a plant or two. Bark is used in 'classic' gritty, but maybe it will retain too much water in your rainy locale. This is of course if they are exposed to quite a bit of rain. If you intend on keeping them under the roof of some kind, they could dry up to fast in high temps. Not really a problem, except more frequent watering.

I just checked ewwmayo's photos and WOW those are amazing! I'll read some of his posts and start learning about fertilizing. But now I'll definitely start experimenting with the coarse sand and perlite mix and see how it goes. Winter is coming (haha) and I really don't want to overwater anyone. Rina you're always so helpful. Thanks!

I believe it an echeveria Allegra. Here's a couple pictures of mine :) You can also find more similar pictures online

LB that would be great! I could be your tourist guide, very cheap rates, all public transport and I don't charge lol.

I met a young woman from Brazil in Sydney airport a year or so back. She was so stressed poor girl. She had security in a flap coz she left her luggage outside the loo while she completely redid her makeup which took nearly an hour. They were not happy at all and it took a lot of questioning and searching ALL her luggage before they let her go.

I agree that ring is always helpful. She's a gem :-))

Helen hahahaha that's a typical brazilian abroad, but I bet she looked fab. I did have a bit of a problem with the sniffer dogs at the airport in Istanbul once. Turns out my cat had peed in my luggage. Can't wait to hire your services though, promise I'll behave :)