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Cacti & Succulents

Issue with an echeveria

Katlynn NY (5a)

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

Hi, so I picked up this rather battered up echeveria from my local Lowe's a few months ago, and since I've had it it's color seems to be returning and it's new growth is nice and plump (unlike the older leaves). However, it did lose a few of the base leaves after being transplanted leaving some bare spots on its stem.
Would it be a bad idea to pluck some of the older leaves and just bury the stem father down? (Sorry if this is a silly question I'm still learning the ins and outs of succulents)

Here's a photo of my cat for your help

Featured Answer

cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5

4 years ago

Pretty caligirl! We have two and also a tortoiseshell kitten. Regarding your plant, no, don’t-that’s not how these should be grown; it would likely lead to rot.

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Comments (9)

Katlynn NY (5a)
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you! She's become my little gardening buddy this summer. Love the look of tortoiseshells too!

As for my plant thank you for your help! Definitely want to avoid any onset of rot if I can!
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Penny, I don't have a good answer for you as I have had similar issues with some Echeveria both with leaves and old beheaded stems. I have leaves that root and never grow anything while others produce multiple heads. I recently beheaded my E. cante. It has rooted just as any other Echeveria so I wouldn't be uptight about beheading your plant. Whether the old stem will produce offsets, only time will tell. These were all beheaded 3 or 4 weeks ago. There's a couple that were beheaded last year and are just in the common area. Most of this year's beheadings have offsets and a few don't and I doubt at this stage will produce anything.... So, Penny, I don't have an answer for you other than don't be afraid of whacking it! And if things don't work out for you, I know where you can get a very nice 6" replacement for about $10.
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First, welcome. Next, where is your general location? The reason I ask is because most Echeveria can handle full sun unless you live where the mid-day sun is really intense. Here in Michigan this is NEVER an issue so my Echeveria summer out on the driveway in full sun from dawn to dusk. Acclimate slowly into more light and things should be fine. Rush their adaptation and you'll have sunburned plants.
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From what I can see, your soil doesn't have very good drainage- if it's the soil it came in from the store or nursery, you definitely need to repot it into better draining soil (you can do this by removing as much of the old soil from the plant's roots and replanting it into soil that is a combination of cacti & succulent soil and perlite, both of these can be found fairly easily). When you water your echeveria, you need to make sure the water is draining all the way through and out of the hole in the bottom of the pot. Also, take it out of that larger pot, the humidity that builds up between the pots will promote root rot. With regards to sun, succulents need to get used to the sun, with an acclimatisation period- leave it outside in the sun for a short period of time to start with, starting in the morning sun which isn't so strong. As time goes on, increase the time it spends in the sun so that it gets used to it.
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bikerdoc5968 Z6 SE MI
4 years ago
In addition to an excellent comment from our Canadian friend, you and your plant will be better served to allow it to grow taller and behead it next year in the spring. This will give you a nice head and the potential for a number of offsets from the remaining stem.
Katlynn NY (5a) thanked bikerdoc5968 Z6 SE MI
Neil
4 years ago
Katlynn, just for extra clarity...Bikerdoc is saying to behead the PLANT, not the Kitty!
Katlynn NY (5a)
Original Author
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Hahahaha thanks for the clarification Neil!

Bikerdoc, thank you for the advice! I'll read up on the whole beheading process more leading up to next spring. For now, do you have any recommendations on ensuring that the head roots afterwards?
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
4 years ago
You can read and see how to BEHEAD SUCCULENTS in these couple of threads (link to 2nd at the end of 1st)
Katlynn NY (5a) thanked rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
bikerdoc5968 Z6 SE MI
4 years ago
Roma says it all.
cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
4 years ago
Howard, I think you meant Rina. Roma doesn't bless us here with her presence any more, but Rina more than does so.
bikerdoc5968 Z6 SE MI
4 years ago
I was referencing you because you had the first comment. Then my feeble fingers need a remedial typing class. Roma=Rina.

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