How Do You Take Care Of Echeveria Pelusida?

How Do You Take Care Of Echeveria Pelusida?

Echeveria Pelusida is a gorgeous little variant of the Crassulaceae family’s Echeveria genus. The 6 to 8-inch-tall rosettes are comprised of blue-green leaves with crimson borders and tips, which become more pronounced when exposed to intense light.

Echeveria pelusida prefers full sun exposure for proper growth, but may also tolerate partial shade.

They must be exposed to direct sunlight for a minimum of four hours every day. It should be irrigated only when the soil is fully dry, and never let to sit in water.

The Echeveria pelusida plant, like other succulents, requires well-draining soil. Consider the following variables while caring for Echeveria pelusida:

Sunlight:

Echeveria pelusida thrives in full sunlight to partial shade. It must receive four to six hours of sun every day. When grown in partial shade, the leaves remain blue-green with a paler border. Leaves grown in full sunlight may have red tips, but may also end up becoming plain green in time.

Echeveria pelusida rosettes will be smaller and less colorful under low light conditions. A minimum of four hours of direct sunlight a day is needed for optimum growth and color development.

Watering:

Echeveria pelusida should be watered when the soil is fully dry, but never left to stand in water. Plant rosettes are shallow-rooted, so watering must be limited to a shallow watering at the surface of the soil. When they receive too much water, they may become susceptible to root rot.

In addition, their leaves and stems may begin to collapse when water is over-absorbed and the plant’s cells burst. Water other types of Echeveria plants the same way you would water Echeveria pelusida.

Soil:

Echeveria pelusida like a well-drained soil that contains plenty of organic material. This is because the leaves of succulent plants absorb water, making them heavy. When this occurs, the plant will seek nutrients and moisture from its taproot or main root.

If the soil does not drain sufficiently, the taproot of an Echeveria pelusida plant will ultimately rot. Cactus potting mix, succulent soil, or a combination of both are the best soils to use.

These soils are light and let the roots to breathe more effectively than heavy soils. If these types of soil are unavailable, you may create your own by combining coarse sand, potting soil, and perlite in the proportions of 1:2:1.

Temperature:

Echeveria pelusida thrives in a temperature range of 68° to 80° F. Hot temperatures (above 90° F) and cold temperatures below 50° F can cause leaf burn or leaf drop. If the temperature is too high, the leaves may become limp or grow smaller, but will usually recover when the temperature drops.

If a cold snap occurs, withhold watering and protect the plants from winds until weather conditions improve.

Humidity:

Echeveria pelusida requires a minimum of 40% and a maximum of 60% humidity. The plant will flourish in a dry environment. If the humidity is too high, root rot and other associated illnesses may develop.

This makes it a perfect indoor plant for those who reside in arid climates, or those who work in air-conditioned environments. If you live in a humid climate, the plant may need to be misted daily or a slow-mist humidifier placed nearby.

Fertilizing:

Echeveria pelusida requires very little fertilizer. Feed them once every month with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength during the growing season.

When growing indoors and the soil is unavailable, you may use a diluted water-soluble fertilizer such as a 20-20-20 type fertilizer or a 10-10-10 type fertilizer mixed with equal parts distilled water.

Propagation:

Echeveria pelusida is easy to propagate. It can be propagated from leaf cutting, stem cutting, seeds and offsets. If propagating from leaves and stems, remove a leaf by cutting it off at its base with a sharp knife or pruning shears.

Make sure there are two to three sets of leaves below it on the plant’s stem. Each leaf can be used to propagate a new plant. Clean the leaves thoroughly after propagating and allow them to dry completely before placing them in soil. Soak the leaf in water overnight before placing it into soil.

Repotting:

Echeveria pelusida need to be repotted every 2- 3 years during spring and summer, so the plant can reach its maximum size. Echeveria pelusida thrives in its permanent container until it becomes too large, at which point it must be repotted.

The most effective method is to remove the plant from the old container and remove as much dirt as possible from the roots. Remove rotten, mushy, or discolored portions of the roots using a knife.

A thorough rinse of the roots with water will help dislodge the remaining residue. If possible, it is best to repot in a container that is at least one size larger than the existing pot.

Fill in soil and water thoroughly, then place the plant in a shady location and avoid watering until it begins to send out new roots. To repot succulents generally, water deeply, allowing the excess water to drain out before repotting.

Pruning:

Echeveria pelusida should be pruned in the spring and summer to remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches. The plant should be pruned by first breaking any long stems with the aid of a sharp knife or shears. After removing the dead parts of the stems, cut back flowered sections to within 1/2 inch of their base using a sharp knife or scissors.

Echeveria pelusida can also be easily grown into an upright shape without adjusting its height, as it will naturally bush out if left alone.

Blooming:

Echeveria pelusida will also bloom a beautiful Blue Green rosettes tipped with burgundy in spring and summer. When blooming, it will produce a resinous, fragrant scent reminiscent of pine.

Pot Size:

Echeveria pelusida can grow to be up to 8 inches tall and prefer to be kept in a container that measures at least 4 inches in diameter.

The plant is designed for a pot size of between 2 and 4 inches in diameter. Its root system will also take over a large portion of the soil within the confines of the pot.

Pests & Diseases:

Echeveria pelusida is susceptible to mealy bugs and spider mites, which thrive in hot, dry conditions. To prevent infestations, use established plants instead of those that are freshly propagated. Use a pesticide such as a soap solution to wash the plant’s leaves and stems to remove these pests.

Echeveria pelusida is also susceptible to root rot and crown rot. These can be controlled by providing adequate drainage over the soil.

Does Echeveria Pelusida Enjoy Sun Or Shade?

Echeveria Pelusida enjoys partial shade to full sun, but will perform best in a bright window location if indoors. The darker the light, the brighter the foliage will appear and the more full it will bloom. The plant also performs well in a hanging container that is kept in partial shade, as this allows for some days with some sun and others with little to no sun.

When growing outdoors, the plant will withstand some sun and it does not require any full shade. You should also provide plenty of sun for the plant to grow and bloom, and avoid watering during dry spells. Proper sunlight will stimulate more blooms and more flowers. If it’s too sunny, the leaves will sunburn even though it has thick leaves; which is why you should provide partial shade to prevent this.

You should also prune back the flowers to prevent the plant from getting too old, as with all succulents. Allowing it to bloom is a process of rejuvenation.

It’s all part of their life cycle and part of what makes them so unique. However, when grown in direct sunlight, it will often develop dark-green leaves as a result of the intense light.

Echeveria Pelusida is also excellent at growing under trees or in shaded areas where temperatures are cooler. The reason for this is because it loves colder temperatures and will perform much better with more moisture and less sunlight.

You should never place your Echeveria Pelusida in direct sunlight as this will lead to severe sun burn, often resulting in the death of the plant.

What Is The Best Soil Mix For Echeveria Pelusida?

The best soil mix for Echeveria Pelusida is a cactus potting soil that consists of at least 50% peat moss. If you are unable to find any than your second best option would be a cactus soil that does not contain amendments such as perlite. The last alternative is to use a quality potting mix that is based upon the use of natural plant composts.

It is always best to avoid using regular garden soil as this can cause an increase in the levels of salts within the soil. The use of a soil mixture that is too rich will also result in too much water retention, which can lead to root rot.

You should also be wary of potting mixes that contain completely synthetic ingredients, as these may cause damage to the roots, leaves or stems of the plant.

When using a cactus potting mix, it is important to make sure that it is free from any chemicals. The addition of peat moss will help provide the right amount of moisture retention, as well. The use of a quality cactus soil that has been amended with peat moss will also allow your plants to recover faster after fertilization.

If you are unable to find any of these types of soil mixes then you can always use an all-purpose potting mix. However, be sure to monitor the moisture levels of your plants more frequently when using a general potting mix.

The plant should be allowed to dry out slightly between watering, although you should avoid letting the soil become completely dry. If it is left in consistently moist soil, then it will lead to root rot as well as possible fungal infections.