Echeveria Pulidonis of the Crassulaceae family is very easy to grow and maintain as long as you follow the right care guidelines.
In this well-researched article, we bring you easy and time-saving lessons so that you can grow this Echeveria genus succulent without any hiccups, right in the comfort of your house.
JUMP TO TOPIC
What Is Echeveria Pulidonis?
Echeveria Pulinodis is a slow-growing species of succulents from Central America and Mexico. More information on its foliage, rosette and flowers can be found below.
– Rosette And Foliage
- Echeveria Pulidonis is a stemless succulent. It produces foliage in the form of curled rosettes that are about four to five inches wide.
- The rosettes continue into blue-green leaves that have bright red edges.
- Each leaf is flat with rounded edges.
- You can expect your Pulidonis houseplant to reach an average height of eight inches and width of six to eight inches.
– Flowers
- The blooming period for Echeveria succulents is during early spring.
- You will get to enjoy the sight of bright yellow flowers on red-colored stems that emerge from the rosette.
- The stems of Echeveria Pulidonis are always unbranching.
Echeveria Pulidonis Care
Pulidonis succulents are very low-maintenance houseplants. You will not need to spend a lot of time looking after them.
Continue below to learn how our experts take care of them.
Water Requirements
Providing the correct water needs of your Echeveria plants is crucial to their growth and well-being.
-
Use Safe Water
We always prefer using clean rainwater or reverse-osmosis filtered water for Echeveria Pulidonis irrigation. If you don’t have access to either, then common tap water will do too. Just get it checked from a lab that it’s safe enough for plants.
-
Allow Water To Drain
This succulent should not be exposed to standing water or moisture for long periods. First of all, your pot should have a drainage hole of an adequate enough size out of which excess water can flow.
Secondly, your soil should be loose and not moisture retaining. Thirdly, never pour water directly on the plant stem and rosettes; instead, direct it towards the soil.
-
Water Once a Week or Less
Echeveria Pulidonis is a drought-resistant succulent. It stores water in its stems and leaves and will survive not being watered for a long time. In summer and dry months, we water our plant only once per week. In winters, we water it even less.
-
Water When the Soil Is Dry
Never water succulents unless at least the top two inches of soil are fully dry. Stick a finger in the soil down an inch to confirm how dry or moist it is every time you water.
Light Requirements
-
Place Under Bright Light
Echeveria Pulidonis should be placed under intense bright light whether it be natural or artificial. This means that you can either grow them outdoors in a garden or place them inside near well-lit windows.
-
Partial Shade At Higher Temperatures
If the temperatures in your area tend to increase above 75 degrees Fahrenheit during hot months, then move the plant from the sun to partially shaded conditions. This is to prevent harsh sunburn.
-
A South Facing Window
A southern-facing window provides just the right amount of intense sunlight that your Echeveria needs when placed indoors. If a south-facing window is not available in your house, a west-facing window is the next best thing.
-
Four Hours Minimum
Your Echeveria succulent should receive sunlight for a minimum of four hours daily. In the case of artificial lights, this duration should be six hours. Light exposure less than this will lead to a phenomenon where succulents stretch in search of lacking nutrients and become deformed as a result.
Soil And Substrate: Cactus Mix With Perlite
- A loose well-draining and aerated soil should be used for planting Echeveria Pulidonis.
- The advantages are that not only does this aid in the drainage of excess water but also allows the roots enough room to grow.
- We recommend using cactus mix and perlite in an equal amount. Adding soil to this mixture will further increase drainage.
- Sphagnum moss and peat are further ingredients that aid drainage.
Fertilizer And Feed
- This succulent doesn’t really need to be fertilized a lot.
- Use a fertilizer that releases slowly only at the beginning of spring.
- Another option is to dilute liquid fertilizer and give it during irrigation of the plant. Dilution should be done at one tablespoon per gallon of water.
- Don’t fertilize more than once per month or when the growth period is over.
- Always buy a fertilizer that has a low nitrogen content for succulents.
Temperature Needs
- This is a plant that thrives under warmer weather.
- The ideal temperature needs of Echeveria Pulidonis are 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
- This plant is not amenable to colder climates. It will not survive frost or sub-zero temperatures.
- If you live in a colder region, plant them in a container. This way you can move them indoors during colder months.
Propagation
You can propagate and grow new succulents from your old ones using the time-tested method of propagation.
Read below to learn how to propagate Echeveria Pulidonis so that you have a healthy, blooming plant year and after year.
– Using Leaf Cuttings for Propagation
This is the easiest and most successful method of propagating Echeveria Pulidonis.
Here is how the process goes:
- Choose a healthy-looking, medium-sized leaf and remove it from the stem. Our experts always prefer gently twisting the leaf away rather than cutting it with a knife.
- Dry this leaf and allow it to callus over a couple of days.
- Take a new pot and fill it with new newly mixed soil. Plant your leaf about 1 to 2 inches into this soil.
- Initially water this leaf a bit more than you would the parent plant.
- Once roots and shoots start growing, resume a regular watering pattern.
– Using Offsets for Propagation
Offsets grow at the base of the parent plant. This is why Echeveria are known as the hen and chicken plants.
Here is how you can use offsets for propagation:
- You can remove one of these offsets by hand or shears easily.
- Again, dry them and allow them to form a callous.
- Plant in a new pot and soil.
- Place it near bright light and water until it starts growing.
– Using Echeveria Pulidonis Seeds for Propagation
You can grow Echeveria Pulidonis from seeds too. The process for this is far simpler than you might have imagined!
-
Obtain Fresh Seeds
Fresh seeds have better chances of growing into a new plant than old ones. Ensure that your seed provider is giving you new seeds.
-
Mix Seeds With Sand
Take fine sand that is twice the volume of Echeveria seeds and mix both together. Your mixture should resemble a black and white powder.
-
Prepare the Pot
Our recommendation is to always use a 4-inch pot for our Echeveria succulents. Fill it with the appropriate potting mix that doesn’t contain sand.
-
Sprinkle the Mixture
Now sprinkle a pinch of the seed and sand mixture uniformly over the potting mixture.
-
Wait and Watch
Place this pot under bright light and water regularly. In a few weeks, new roots and shoots should emerge.
Problems
This plant is generally very problematic and very few people are troubled by it, if at all. However, some potential complications you should look out for are given below.
– Overwatering And Rot
Overwatering should be avoided big time with succulents. It leads to fungal rot of the roots, leaves, and stems.
Here are a few tips to avoid that:
- Do not water the plant as long the soil is moist.
- Avoid misting and pouring water on the rosette. You should give water only to the soil.
- In case of fungal rot, you will need extensive treatment. First of all, take the plant out of the potting mixture and shake the soil off it. Then take a sharp knife or gardening shears and remove all decayed roots as well as any diseased leaf. Repot the plant again in fresh soil.
- Use a good quality fertilizer over the rest of the plant.
- Don’t forget to discard the old infectious soil. Also, disinfect and sterilize the shears that you’ve used. This is to prevent the infection from spreading to other plants.
– Falling Leaves
Leaves falling off are caused by both over and under-watering. This is another problem you might face with these plants if you’re not careful.
Below is a tip on how to recognize the problem and solve it.
- Fallen leaves due to overwatering will be plump and mushy, whereas those due to underwatering will be shriveled and wilted.
- Simply adjust the amount and frequency of water irrigation to the plant.
– Pests
- The only pests that really trouble the Echeveria Pulidonis plant are the pesky mealybugs.
- Regularly inspect the areas of the plant under the leaves as these are the favorite hiding places of mealybugs.
- If you do spot them, remove them using a paper towel or by washing them off.
- Apply castor oil on the bugs to kill them. Alternatively, you can also use potent insecticides and bug repellents as a last resort against persistent bug infestation.
FAQ
Does Echeveria Pulidonis like rain or shine?
Echeveria Pulidonis prefers sunshine over rain, as it is a desert succulent. Adequate sunlight is essential for its growth and health.
Why is my Echeveria Pulidonis growing tall?
Echeveria Pulidonis may grow tall if it’s not receiving enough sunlight. Ensure it gets sufficient light to prevent elongation and promote compact growth.
Should I rinse or wipe dust off my Echeveria Pulidonis leaves?
It is generally recommended to wipe dust off Echeveria Pulidonis leaves rather than rinsing them. Gently wiping with a soft cloth or brush helps prevent excess moisture and reduces the risk of water accumulation, which can be harmful to succulent plants.
Conclusion
Why don’t we go over the most pertinent points once more to make sure you’re ready to grow and bloom this lovely succulent at home.
- You can totally grow Echeveria Pulidonis at home by yourself.
- Use well-draining and loose soil to plant these succulents in pots. We recommend a mixing of cactus mix with equal amounts of perlite.
- This pot is drought resistant so water only when the soil becomes dry.
- Overwatering will cause the leaves to fall off. It can also cause a pretty bad fungal rot.
- Pulidonis succulents can tolerate direct sunlight. When grown indoors, keep them near southern or eastern-facing windows.
- Don’t fertilize too often. Only fertilize during the spring season and use a liquid fertilizer diluted with water.
- You can provide Echeveria Pulidonis using leaf cuttings, offsets, and seeds.
- Offsets and leaves should be dried before planting in a pot.
- Always mix seeds with sand before sprinkling them over fresh soil.
- Always be on the lookout for mealybugs that hide under the leaves and rosettes of these plants. Use an insecticide if necessary.
Echeveria Pulidonis is a great succulent to keep and grow at home. In both blooming and non-blooming states, it is sure to beautify your house with its brilliant hues. Why not grab a pot and get right to it!