I just planted one I bought that had a hard life at Home Depot....but I went for it. First of all,1/4 of the bottom of pot had no roots. ...Read MoreWhy it was in such a deep pot to begin with is a mystery. At least it wasn't sour.
I also have grown "Afterglow" for many years and find that these big Echeveria's like light shade best. Or filtered sun..but not hot full all day sun like most succulents. They are not desert plants.
So mine is in the shade of Tree Aloes and Tree Euphorbia's..should do well. Be careful to not place where foot traffic will brush up against them..that will kill off leaves in a very slow and ugly way. What HD had done.
The newest growth is almost mesmerizing to look at. Its a future show piece.
The ideal ph for soil and water for this plant is on the acidic side. Like many succulents, while they will tolerate higher ph, will fare...Read More better if grown in slightly acidic soil. We use a mix of Colorado River water that at times has a high ph up to 8.5. We have learned that adding a half -1 teaspoon of acid per gal. when watering is beneficial.
Additionally we use a high acid lower nitrogen liquid fertilizer. (Dyna-Gro Bloom) is our preference. This aids in holding the true color and aids in preventing the plant from becoming outlandishly thick succulent leaves. This makes for a more graceful appealing appearance.
This plant may be grown in full sun in Southern Ca. coastal regions. We grow it in beds, where the plant is overhead protected from winter rain.
We use imidacloprid (Bayer) sometimes called Merit for insect control. we apply in early spring and whenever the Fall growth spurt begins.
This plant and its hybrids are finding favor among CA's Top Landscape contractors. I am told Several recreational parks have begun using it in their park horticulture design.
This is magnficent large Mexican plant is one of the largest of the species- it is a blue-green plant up to 1.5' in diameter (perhaps lar...Read Moreger) with deeply funneled, smooth edged leaves that are somewhat 'spade' shaped. The colors change depending on the season, with purples, pinks, whitish turquoise etc. showing up. This plant rarely if ever produces offsets, but there are offsetting forms in cultivation. Plants tend to be pricey.
Though it does great in full sun near the coast, inland California summers can be brutal on this poor plant, frying it so severely that it will often expire or die from secondary rot. I prefer these in partial shade when it's over 100F.
I just planted one I bought that had a hard life at Home Depot....but I went for it. First of all,1/4 of the bottom of pot had no roots. ...Read More
Beware that snails appear to love this Echeveria more than any other.....mine were set back an entire year due to missing snails for 3 days......
The ideal ph for soil and water for this plant is on the acidic side. Like many succulents, while they will tolerate higher ph, will fare...Read More
This is magnficent large Mexican plant is one of the largest of the species- it is a blue-green plant up to 1.5' in diameter (perhaps lar...Read More