Echeveria purpusorum
Synonyms:
Urbinia purpusii
Habitat:
Echeveria purpusorum originates from the semi-desert regions in Mexico. This plant thrives in rocky outcrops and slopes, which provide excellent drainage, a critical factor for its growth. The Echeveria purpusorum is adapted to an environment with abundant sunlight and limited water, typical of arid and semi-arid zones.
Description:
Echeveria purpusorum is a small, rosette-forming succulent, belonoging to the Crassulaceae botanical family. The rosettes are compact, usually growing up to 15 cm in diameter. One of the most striking features of this plant is its leaves, which are fleshy, oval-shaped, and have a unique coloration. The leaves are a deep green with a reddish-brown tinge at the tips, and they often display beautiful patterns of red dots. The surface of the leaves is slightly rough to the touch, which differentiates Echeveria purpusorum from other Echeveria species. In spring and early summer, Echeveria purpusorum produces small, bell-shaped flowers. These flowers are usually orange or red and grow on tall, slender stalks that emerge from the center of the rosette. The flowering period adds an extra layer of beauty to this already charming plant.
Cultivation:
The plant has a slow growth rate but it easy to cultivate. The best sun-exposure is in bright place but is recommended to avoid direct sun-light in the hottest periods. During the winter months, Echeveria purpusorum should be protected from frost, as it is not frost-tolerant. If grown in a region with cold winters, it’s best to bring the plant indoors or provide some form of frost protection. The perfect soil is a well-drained soil that let the water to drain away and avoid root rot. To achieve this feature, you can mix the pumice soil, clay and soil. Remember to use a perforating 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 lush growth you can fertilize the plant once a month during the growing season with the specific fertilizers for succulents; stop fertilizing throughout the winter. If the pot starts to be too small for the plant you can repot the plant in a pot 2 cm wider. Repotting should be done early in the growing season with fresh new potting soil. Be careful to red spiders and mealy bugs.
Propagation:
Propagation is commonly done through leaf cuttings or offsets. This process is quite simple and can be done at home with minimal equipment. To propagate from leaf cuttings, a healthy leaf is gently twisted off the plant, ensuring that the base of the leaf is intact. This leaf is then allowed to dry for a few days to form a callous over the wound. Once calloused, the leaf can be placed on top of a well-draining soil mix and kept in a bright, indirect light. In a few weeks, tiny roots and a new rosette will begin to form. Propagation from offsets involves removing the small rosettes that form around the base of the parent plant. These offsets can be carefully separated and potted in their own containers. This method is quicker than leaf propagation and often results in a higher success rate.
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. This plant is a popular choice for terrariums, dish gardens, and as a potted houseplant, thanks to its compact size and ornamental appearance. In traditional medicine, various Echeveria species have been used for their purported medicinal properties, although there’s limited scientific evidence to support these uses.
Official Web Site:
www.giromagi.com
Italian Blog:
www.giromagicactus.com
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