Synonyms:

Currently, Echeveria hyalina does not have widely recognized synonyms.

Habitat:

Echeveria hyaline is native to Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast and Mexico Southwest. The habitat of this succulent is characterized by warm temperatures and minimal rainfall. Echeveria hyaline can be found up to 2500 m of altitude and usually grows on cliffs or amidst crevices, where the porous rocks provide excellent drainage.

Description:

Echeveria hyaline is a wonderful succulent belonging to the Crassulaceae botanical family. The plant forms a compact rosette of leaves that can measures 12 cm in diameter. The leaves are spoon shaped, pointed at the apex, glaucous green in color with purple hues on the edges. Under stress, such as when the plant is exposed to UV rays or cool temperatures, the leaf edges can develop reddish hues making the succulent more attractive. The leaves moreover are covered with a white powder, called pruina, useful for protection from UV rays and to prevent water loss. The layer of pruina gives the plant its distinctive glaucus color and a frosted appearance, making it one of the most striking species among Echeverias. The flowering period usually begins in spring and lasts until late summer The blossoms are borne in cluster on long and slender stalks rising from the center of the rosette. The flowers are bell-shaped, small, short, ranging in color from yellow to pink to orange. The flowers provide a beautiful contrast to the plant’s cool-toned leaves.

Cultivation:

This is a slow growing plant, easy to cultivate. The plant needs a bright exposure but is recommended to avoid direct sun-light during the hottest periods although direct sunlight for a few hours daily could be beneficial. The plant does not like temperatures below 5°C so it needs to be placed indoors in the coldest periods. The soil should be mixed with pumice, clay and loam to allow for drainage and prevent root rot, as the plant is prone to it. Remember to use a perforated pot to drain excess water. Watering can be done regularly in spring and summer: during the vegetative period you can water the plant every 7 days, checking that the soil is completely dry before watering again. In winter you should stop the watering to allow the plant to enter dormancy. If you want a faster and lusher growth, you can fertilize the plant once a month during the growing season with specific fertilizers for succulents; stop fertilizing throughout the winter. If the pot becomes too small for the plant, you can repot it in a pot that is 2 cm wider. Repotting should be done early in the growing season with fresh new compost. Be careful to red spiders and scale insect. For mealybugs, you can remove them with a paintbrush dipped in alcohol, or if large numbers are present, you may use an insecticide.

Propagation:

Propagation can be done by cutting, by offsets or by seed. When propagating through cuttings, make the cut during the spring and then let the cutting dry. After a few days, the cut surface will dry, and a callus will form. Place the cutting in a mixture of sand, soil, and pumice. To increase the success of propagation, you can make two or more cuttings at the same time. For cuttings, it is recommended to maintain temperatures around 20°C. As the plant matures, it may produce offsets or “pups” around the base. Gently remove these and replant in their own containers. Propagation by seed is a simple method to propagate the plant. Simply sow the seeds in sandy loam soil and keep them in an environment with a high level of humidity and at a temperature of 14°C.

Curiosity:

The name “Echeveria” comes from Atanasio Echeverria, naturalist, botanist and Mexican artist of the late 1700s who painted and cooperated on the discovery and cataloging Mexico’s natural flora. The specific epithet “hyalina” refers to the plant’s translucent leaf quality, derived from the Greek word for “glass” or “crystal.”

Official Web Site:
www.giromagi.com

Italian Blog:
www.giromagicactus.com

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