Echeveria Setosa is an eye-catching succulent known by many names. Its easy going nature makes it an ideal houseplant. Native to Mexico, you can now grow and propagate it anywhere in the world using our comprehensive guide given below.
Read on to discover every bit of information needed to help your plant thrive!
What Is Echeveria Setosa?
Echeveria Setosa is a succulent that produces short stems that branch to produce rosettes of thick, green spoon-shaped leaves. What’s more, the leaves of this plant are covered by fine white hair.
Each leaf is approximately 2.8 inches long and about one inch large.
The rosettes measure about five inches across in diameter.
Lastly, the flowers of the fuzzy Echeveria plant are reddish-orange with yellow tips, and its flowering time is from early spring till late summer.
Flowers will grow on tall, slender stalks up to 12 inches long, so be mindful to that.
Echeveria Setosa Care
Read our simple guide to caring for your succulents below.
– Water Requirements
The water requirements of Echeveria Setosa plants are very undemanding. Carry on reading to find out what they are.
- The Mexican firecracker plant prefers the “soak and dry” method of watering. What this means is that they like to be watered thoroughly every time. After then, they need to be allowed time so that their soil dries up completely before watering again. Your pot should have a large enough drainage hole to get rid of all that water.
- Check the dryness of soil all the way through by sticking a pencil or stick into it. It should come out completely dry at least halfway from the top.
- Always direct water towards the soil and not on the other parts of the plant. Pouring water on the leaves will likely cause fungal infections.
- You will need to water your Echeveria only once or twice each month. More if the weather becomes too hot and dry in the summer. Watering during winters will be decreased even further.
- Always use clean, non-toxic water for your plants. We prefer reverse-osmosis filtered water or distilled water.
– Light Requirements
Learn what the light requirements of your Echeveria plant are below.
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Prefers Partial to Full Sun
What this means is that this plant can tolerate direct moderate sunlight but not a very intense one. You can place them someplace where they receive direct early morning or early evening light.
It can be a garden or someplace indoors. Always protect this succulent from the harsh midday and afternoon sun.
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An Eastern or a Western Facing Window Works Best
When kept as indoor plants, it is better to place them in a bright room with plenty of natural light. Better yet, place them near a window or directly on a window sill to soak up all the sun they can.
The eastern-facing window will provide them with moderate, early morning sunlight whereas the west-facing window will provide adequate enough evening sunlight.
Strictly avoid the southern facing windows, as they receive very intense afternoon light that can cause sunburn. If your room only has a southern-facing window, it is preferable to place your plant away from it and make do with indirect light.
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Using Artificial Grow Light
The fuzzy Echeveria plant will need artificial grow lights if it is not receiving adequate natural ones. This is especially true during the winters. You can use any type of grow light: LED, fluorescent, or high-intensity discharge light.
Fluorescent light should be kept 6-12 inches away from the plant. LEDs should be at a distance of 18-24 inches. Use only for about 12-14 hours each day and give your plant time to rest too.
– Temperature Needs of the Mexican Succulents
- These desert succulents grow well under high temperatures.
- The average temperatures of these plants should be 65 degrees Fahrenheit or above in summers.
- In winters, temperatures should be at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Echeveria Setosa cannot tolerate cold temperatures very well. If your area experiences severe winters with frosts, you should always plant them in a pot which can then be transferred indoors during cold seasons.
– Soil
- Always choose a well-draining potting medium for Echeveria succulents.
- Our favorites are either the cactus or the succulent mix.
- Adding sand will also increase the drainage of your soil.
– Fertilizer
- Only fertilizers at the beginning of spring and summer.
- Echeveria Setosa plants don’t need regular fertilizing, especially in winters.
- Use a mild liquid fertilizer such as a cactus or a succulent fertilizer.
- We suggest you dilute the fertilizer with a gallon of water.
- It is best to follow fertilizer with watering to flush away the extra material and prevent salt build-up.
Propagation
For those of you that love propagating plants at home, the firecracker succulent is the plant for you.
Read on to find out four different ways to propagate them.
– Propagate Through Offsets
- Echeveria Setosa produces offsets at the base of the mother plant on tiny stems. These offsets can take several years to develop.
- All you have to do is to take a sterile, sharp knife and cut these offsets off.
- Now, put them on a piece of paper towel to dry out for about two days at least.
- Then you can place this dried offset in a freshly potted plant about an inch deep.
- Water daily. Put someplace bright. In a few weeks, you should see new growths emerging.
– Propagate Through Leaves
- Take a good look at your firecracker cactus plant and choose a healthy leaf of medium size.
- Remove this leaf from the plant but twist it off. You can also cut it off but we prefer the twisting method better.
- Again, dry this leaf on a paper towel until calluses form.
- Plant it deep in a newly mixed potting mixture.
- In a couple of months, new roots and shoots shall emerge.
– Propagate Through Stem Cuttings
- Choose a healthy-looking stem and cut it using a sterile knife.
- Cut at least 2 to 3 inches long part of the stem for propagation. This cutting should also have two to three leaf nodes on it.
- Keep it outside for two to three days.
- Take a mixture of well-draining soil and plant the stem in it. Water regularly.
- In about a month, new shoots can be seen.
– Propagate Through Seeds
Propagating Echeveria Setosa from seeds is a long and patience-demanding procedure and only the most determined people can undertake this challenge.
Find out if you’re one of them here:
- Always buy premium quality seeds from a plant nursery. You can also collect them yourself. The seeds of these Mexican succulents are stored in their flowers after they stop blooming and close up. Remove such flowers from the plant and dry them before taking the seeds out.
- Mix these seeds with sand and sprinkle them over new soil. Place the pot under indirect light and water each day until new growth emerges. Afterward, resume the normal watering pattern of Echeveria.
Problems
Echeveria Setosa, the firecracker succulents, are a generally low-maintenance plant and not likely to give you any trouble.
However, some potential problems you should be mindful of are given below:
– Fungal Infections
- Overwatering almost always leads to fungal infections of Echeveria succulents. Signs of brown-colored rot will appear on the leaves and stems.
- You will have to take the plant out of the pot and then remove the decayed and infected roots stem and leaves. Use a fungicide as well.
– Leaves Falling Off
- Overwatering and underwatering both cause leaves to fall off.
- Leaves that fall due to overwatering will appear swollen and wet.
- Leaves that fall as a result of underwatering will be dry and wilted.
- Adjusting the water intake of your plant will treat this problem in no time.
– Pests
- Regularly check the area of your plant under the leaves, this is the favorite hiding location of pests.
- Mealybugs and aphids are the two most common pests to affect the firecracker succulent plant.
- Remove them using tissue paper or by directing a water jet at them. Pouring water on Echeveria isn’t a very good idea, though.
- If they still don’t go away, spray your plant with an insecticide every day to get rid of them.
FAQ
What temperature is too hot for Echeveria Setosa?
Echeveria Setosa prefers temperatures below 90°F (32°C) as excessively high temperatures can be too hot for its optimal growth.
Why is my Echeveria Setosa growing long stems?
Echeveria Setosa may develop long stems due to insufficient sunlight or overwatering. Ensure proper light exposure and adjust watering accordingly.
Should I bottom water Echeveria Setosa?
It’s recommended to avoid bottom watering Echeveria Setosa as it can lead to root rot. Instead, opt for watering from the top and allow the soil to dry between waterings.
Conclusion
Echeveria Setosa, the firecracker cactus, is super easy to look after. Make sure you keep the following points in mind while looking after them.
- Echeveria Setosa belongs to the category of succulent plants.
- This plant can tolerate only a moderate amount of direct sunlight such as that of early morning and evening. Midday sun should be avoided.
- Use the soak and dry method of watering. That means, water thoroughly each time and allow the soil to dry before watering again.
- The Mexican firecracker doesn’t need fertilizing very often. Use only in the spring and summer during the growth period.
- It is a warm growing plant. Maintain temperatures above 65 degrees Fahrenheit during summers.
- Grow the fiery cactus plant in a well-draining loose soil such as cactus or succulent mix.
- You can propagate Echeveria Setosa by using stem cuttings, leaves, offsets, and seeds.
- Allow the cut offsets, leaves, and stem cuttings to dry before planting them in the pot.
- Overwatering will lead to severe root rot. Avoid it like the plague.
- Get rid of pests like mealybugs and aphids by physically removing them or by using an insecticide.
We bet you are feeling pretty confident about propagating the fuzzy Echeveria at home by this point.
And rightfully so!
Go ahead and enjoy their beautiful flowers and foliage.
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