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casalester

succulent challenge

Who can identify these two similar succulents?



Comments (7)

  • 6 years ago

    Graptopetalum paraguayense on the left, or something related and an Echeveria, maybe, on the right. They need more light and less soil, and the soil itself looks to need improvement. Adding to soil 50% perlite is one of many, many, many ways of getting your soil suitable for succulents.

  • 6 years ago

    The succulent experts have wisely taken a vow of silence on this question, as it is a challenging one (we have warned you so). However, the question is more interesting and educational than a common case of similar looking hybrids from the Home Depot succulent rack, so we wanted to give the experts another chance before we reveal their identities and the experts can claim "we knew it".

    We can give you some hints. One of these plants was grown the whole winter outside - with temperatures dropping to 22 F and it has grown vigorously:

    So at least one of those succulents - maybe both? - is hardy to Zone 9a, maybe more? We are in Zone 7b and maybe we assumed that they would survive even lower temperatures.

    Unfortunately, our only responder, Cactusmcharris, was not only incorrect on both counts but volunteered unsolicited and misguided advice on what the plants need - absolutely not required as these plants are very vigorously growing and don't need "more" of anything - definitely not more light for something grown outside or any perlite in large-scale outside beds.

  • 6 years ago

    gardengal, I wouldn't call the pictures perfect for ID'ing something but I'm sure we've all seen worse.

    CasaLester, looks like you used a mix of soil from outside and rocks for the potting mix in the first pic. Though, the potting mix wasn't at the focal point in the pics so its a bit blurry. A lot of the people here grow in pots and don't use a mix like that so you're likely to get some posts about it. If you just tell us you're happy with the results of using that mix and it works for you then I expect most of us would back off about it.

    Don't take my following guess as me thinking I'm an expert. I just feel like playing along.

    The one on the right looks a lot like Orostachys to me but I'm not sure. In the second pic the rounded leaf shape looks more like Orostachys but the leaves are bit thicker than I'd expect, I'm not seeing much of the clustering habit of Orostachys, and I don't think I've ever seen an Orostachys form a stem as seen in the left tub of the second pic. So, I think it really isn't an Orostachys. I have no idea about the one on the left. I've never been good at identifying succulents like that one.

  • 6 years ago

    These days, with dozens, probably hundreds of similar looking species and hybrids being sold all over the world, via Home Depot as well as specialist nurseries, posting an unclear picture of unremarkable little plants, and expecting people to correctly ID them without any more information, is a misguided undertaking, showing a lack of understanding of what is needed for identification.

    Then mocking those who didn't try, and even the one person who tried, with coy remarks of how special and educational this all is, doesn't help anyone. Please, if you have something interesting, just say so and show us. No need to be patronizing, no need to set people up as "experts", and then shoot them down. Simply share your interesting find or whatever it is.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Maybe it's not obvious CasaLester, but we're not experts nor do we ever claim to be. We are mostly amateur collectors & hobbyists here, for fun, pleasure & some education.

    Worth remembering, you came here, to us.

    Something in me says maybe hint of Anacampseros on the left, if not some Orostchys on the right some form of Sedum.

    Yes, do favor us w/ IDs if you know them

  • 6 years ago

    And here I thought I was the only smarmy git here. I've got company!