Its how they grow.

They can hold on to more foliage longer if you water a bit more. The stem is skinny down lower because it is drying out. It is fat up next to the leaves because the stem is newer and the plant is holding the moisture up there to support the leaves.

The ones that develop long stems you can decapitate the leafy rosette at the top of the stem and re-root it for a more attractive plant. Early-mid spring is a good time to do so. Leave a good bit (1/2" - 3/4") of healthy stem, let the cut end dry, then place in dry potting soil in shade. When roots appear, you can start watering again.

hey hoov ... define dry media ...

like completely bone dry ...

or perhaps.. dampened a bit to say.. cut down dust .... and then stick the plant in it ...???? perhaps the point being.. dont heavily water it after planting ... but allowing some little bit of moisture???

ken

Bone dry, or dampish out of the bag as it often is. westes is in SF Bay. Still getting some rain up there and spring has higher humidity with mild or cool-ish temperatures. You don't want a rootless stem to rot. An echeveria rosette in the shade will not dry out for months.