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kihaku_gato

Succulents ID

15 years ago

Hiya I'm somewhat new to talking in the forums (but not to haunting them lol) and I'm stumped on IDing three succulents I recently bought from the local minimall. I have a guess or two but I'm not as good with identifying indoor succulents as I am with other plants.

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I suspect this one to be Portulacaria afra 'Tricolour'

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This one's probably some type of cobweb Sempervivum hens & chicks

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and this one I'm pretty clueless with, I keep thinking it's echeveria but aren't echeveria supposed to be compact rosettes?

I'd also appreciate any input on how to care for these succulents. For now they're getting the same care as my happily growing Jade plant, that's kept in a sunny window and watered whenever the soil goes dry.

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^ the happily growing Jade in question lol

Comments (9)

  • 15 years ago

    For the one about which you're clueless, that is the lovely Echeveria pulvinata 'Ruby Blush.' Beautiful plant, and doesn't like to be completely dry in summer.

  • 15 years ago

    I like the fuzzy-leafed, stem-forming Echeverias, but they're always huge mealy magnets for me :(

  • 15 years ago

    The first one is definitely a Portulacaria afra (one of my favorites!), and I can't quite make out the coloring that makes you think it's a tricolor, but if it's indeed there, I'd say it's a variagata.

    The second one I have no idea.

    The third one is an Echeveria, most likely the species Teatree named. I have an Echeveria "pulvoliver" that has been doing quite well up until now - the plant itself seems to be ok, but it's starting to form this rust-colored dusting over some parts of it, and I'm worried it might be something bad...

  • 15 years ago

    Thanks Teatree, that'll be a good thing to know, since I almost completely leave my Jade plant alone and dry during the summer. That would've killed Ruby Blush for sure O_o; (Ruby Blush... what a pretty name ^_^).

    Funny you should mention about Mealybugs Amccour. Just today I found a few Mealybugs on my Hoyas! And I think I know who brought them... *stares down new succulents accusingly* lol

    Since it seems to be only green and white, the Portulacaria is likely variagata like you said Chaparralgirl. I guess I should've put the lights on to get a better photo ^^; Does the Trailer Jade (well I mean Portulacaria, I just like calling it a "Traling Jade" even though it's definitely not a true jade plant) need any special care? Or will it do fine with the same care as my true Jade plant?

  • 15 years ago

    Kihaku, I can't think of anything different in care between the Crassula ovata and the Portulacaria afra var. Water it when the soil is dry. That may be more frequent if you live in a dry, arid climate. I live in the Sonoran Desert, where summer heat and sun are positively brutal. (Our average day-time temperature during the summer is about 110 degrees.) I made the mistake once of putting some of my jade outside when I first moved here, about 2 years ago. It actually burned, and most of it ultimately died. So I keep all my jade indoors now, in indirect sunlight. Initially, I kept my Elephant Bush indoors, too, but then I noticed a neighbor down the street had a big, beautiful, bushy potted Elephant Bush on his walkway in full sun - even in the summer - and it seemed perfectly fine. So I put mine outdoors, albeit safely in the shade on the front porch. It's been there all summer, and it's doing fine.

    Here are some links you might want to look at, though, on Elephant Bush:

    http://www.cactuscollection.com/articles/portulacaria.html
    http://www.learn2grow.com/plants/portulacaria-afra-variegata-care-and-maintenance/

  • 15 years ago

    What ever you are doing to keep you plants healty don't stop, you are doing so well, like a professional. They all look good to me. These species I am able to grow year round outside. I don't think could grow them that well in my house. That takes some training, in cultural care for indoors. Good for you, don't change anything thing that you are doing. Noma

  • 15 years ago

    Kihaku, I actually just picked up a few more cacti and succulents after posting my response to you, and I snagged me a Sempervivum that looks pretty similar to yours (the 2nd plant you show here). What I've got is a Sempervivum arachnoideum, cv 'Cebenese.' Also called "cobweb." I think you're right on with Sempervivum, and I'm willing to bet yours is also an arachnoideum.

  • 15 years ago

    Thanks for the ID and tips guys :)
    looks like the only problem I have now is fighting the Mealybug infestation that I seemed to bring with them. Not sure how I'm going to kill the ones that are in the furry plants though =/ .... or at least till I can get to a store to buy some garden bug spray xD

  • 15 years ago

    Use Formula 409 (or Windex). Spray full strength, let it sit a half hour or so, and then spray with water. Repeat as necessary. Keep it out of the sun when it's treated with the stuff.