Growing Echeverias in Australia

Cultivation and care of these plants has to be adjusted to whatever area you live in. There are no hard and fast rules, more trial and error.
What works in one area doesn't in another. In southern states they are kept fairly dry in Winter.
In Qld, moderate watering during Winter, more frequent in Spring and kept dryer in Summer if you live in a humid area. Watching how the plant is behaving will determine what is the best care for your area.
Good drainage is essential. They have a shallow root system, so squat pots are best.If you are using a normal pot, quarter fill with porous material. This saves good potting mix and ensures the bottom mix does not stay wet. A good quality potting mix with river gravel or decomposed granite added is a good basic mix. Minimal fertilising, as too much makes the plant grown lush, losing it's correct form and colour and weakens it.
Most plants are happy in a light, bright situation. Full sun in summer can bleach the colours in high temperature areas. Cooler weather brings out the most vibrant colouring. A plain green plant in Summer can become a gorgeous burgundy, in colder weather. The photos on this site have mostly been taken during Winter.
Below zero temperatures can mark or burn some plants if outside .
Hybrids do need attention to maintain their smart appearance. Regular beheading is needed to maintain a neat rosette. The flower can be attactive, but if left growing on the larger hybrids, the rosettes shrink as the growing goes into the flower stalk. To preserve the appearance, it is advisable to cut the stalk off. Smaller clumping species do not have the same reaction
If you are growing them in the garden in a high temperate area, plant low growing ground cover around them as this helps to keep the roots cool and prevents the lower leaves from burning on hot soil.
Propergation comes in different guises.Small clumping plants can have the offsets removed and restarted,either leave to dry for a few days, or replant into dry mix and do not water till roots appear.Usually leaves from the flower stalks will reproduce plantlets as well. The main way of reproducing offsets from larger growing hybrids is plantlets from the stem after beheading. They are not very co-operative from leaves. Hybrid flower stalks can also be sectioned and planted.

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For more detailed information contact me,
bev@echeveriasinoz.com

C.D. available, over 500 named photos
Echeverias and others
by Bev
$22.50 inc. postage [Australia]
Available on eBay for International buyers
cactus & succulent section
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or check the info on:
www.paradox.com.au/~jcdalton/hobartjohn1.htm
Marie D'Alton Brisbane, Ph: 0733713707

or contact:
Jocelyn Ainsworth Sydney, Ph: 0419449483
extensive sales list available, also C.D. at $22

Another source of information is available in the
"Succulents for the Garden" [series] by Kapitany & Schulz
These books cover plant identification, how to grow succulents, creative uses and lots more. Unlike other books on succulents this series is up to date, practical and has lots of Australian content, with a strong emphasis on Echeverias throughout them. contact gecko@connexus.net.au