Synonyms:

There are not synonyms for Echeveria ‘Rodolfi’ since it is a cultivated cultivar.

Habitat:

Echeveria ‘Rodolfi’ is a hybrid with garden origin so it does not occur naturally in the wild. Echeverias can be usually found in Mexico where they thrive in arid regions with light rainfall and rocky well-draining soils. This species shares similar growth conditions with other Echeverias.

Description:

Echeveria ‘Rodolfi’ is a hybrid succulent belonging to the Crassulaceae botanical family. The plant forms a rosette of leaves and can reach up to 12 cm in diameter. The rosette has an open structure, with leaves extending outward. The leaves are triangular to spoon-shaped, concave and smooth. They are pointed at the apex and are coated with a waxy powder called pruina that gives a soft appearance and a frosted hue. The plant is pale green-bluish in color but if under stress conditions, like cooler temperatures, the leaves can turn to red hues. Flowering typically occurs from spring to summer with blossoms borne on tall stalks that can reach up to 30 cm in height. The flowers are grouped in clusters and are bell-shaped, orange or coral red with a yellow interior. The mix of flower colors attracts pollinators, such as bees and small birds, enabling the plant to disperse pollen and propagate. As an alternative to spreading through pollen, the succulent can propagate via pups or offsets. The offsets are small rosettes that grow at the base of the plant, sharing roots with the mother rosette. An offset is a new stem produced by the main stem of the parent, usually starting from an axillary-bud at the plant base.

Cultivation:

This is a slow growing plant, easy to cultivate. The plant needs a bright exposure but is recommended to avoid direct sun-light at least 4–6 hours daily. The plant is not frost-resistant and does not like temperatures below 5°C so it needs to be placed indoors during 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 10 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 every 6 weeks 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. Remove dead leaves from the base of the rosette to prevent pests and diseases.

Propagation:

Propagation can be done by leaf cuttings, 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. To propagate by offsets, you can twist the pups growing around the base of the plant. After the callous is formed, plant it in a well-draining soil. 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.

Official Web Site:
www.giromagi.com

Italian Blog:
www.giromagicactus.com

Tips:
Read our advice