Within the genus of echeverias there are many types, each more beautiful and unusual. Some of them have different names by which they can be found. Today we want to focus on Echeveria peacockii, also known as Echeveria desmetiana.
Want to know more about her? We discover all the characteristics it has as well as the care required by this echeveria with gray leaves.
Contents
How is Echeveria peacockii
Have you ever seen the Echeveria peacockii? It is a succulent native to Mexico, which, like many others, grows in the form of a rosette. It has fairly thick, fleshy leaves and if given adequate light the leaves will normally remain a silvery gray or silvery blue. Sometimes, in some specimens, a hint of red also appears on the tips. However, this color won’t look the same if you have it in partial shade, where it’s normal for it to have a very pale blue and no trace of that red color.
Within the echeverias, it is one of those that can grow the most in height, reaching 20 to 30 centimeters. As for the width, it is smaller than normal, reaching its maximum at 15-20 centimeters.
As for the flowers, yes, it gives them in the middle of spring and summer. These have an orange and red tint, trimmed with a yellow tint in the center. They arise from a flower stalk (which, by the way, will be pink) from the center of the rosette and can grow up to 20 centimeters. They are quite showy and it is worth giving them the necessary care to see them.
Now in the market you can find three different varieties:
- Crupper Echeveria desmetiana.
- Echeveria peacockii variegata.
- Echeveria desmetiana subsessilis.
Although they come from the same, there are some differences in their leaves. For example, variegata has light blue and white (or yellow) leaves.
Echeveria peacockii care
Now that you know a little more about Echeveria peacockii, do you want to have one? It’s not very expensive, although it’s a bit hard to find. Even so, if you get it, you should know that You don’t need to be on it. She can take care of herself very well, although if you provide her with the care that we are going to give you, you will surely make her much healthier.
location and temperature
The best place you can put Echeveria peacockii is outdoors, but nothing would happen either (except for leaf coloring) if you have it indoors.
Out it is preferable that it has at least 5 hours of direct sunlight and the rest that the light is indirect. Instead, indoors, you’ll want to place it where it can receive as much light (direct or indirect) as possible.
However, if summers are generally very hot where you live, a semi-shaded area may be preferable, focusing primarily on avoiding the hours when the sun shines the most.
Regarding the temperature, although Your ideal would be between 18 and 28ºCthe truth is that it can withstand drops of up to 0 ° C and rises of more than 40. What is important is that they are not extreme and long-lasting, because if they are , it would be better to protect it.
Substrate
In general, for all succulents, the best mix you can give is: universal soil, perlite and gravel or volcanic rock. The more drainage the better, as you prevent water from rotting the roots of the plant.
Also make sure the pot has plenty of drainage holes. because it is one of the echeverias that least tolerates humidity and excess water.
Irrigation
From the above you will have interpreted that irrigation is one of the most important cares, and where you cannot go wrong. And that’s how.
Echeveria peacockii does not tolerate watering and can die quickly if you overwater. So, it is always better to wait until the soil is very dry. It supports the dry period better than irrigation.
That being said, you can water it every 8-12 days in the summer and monthly in the winter. You don’t need more.
Of course, this will depend on other factors. For example, It is not the same to have this plant in the north of Spain than to have it in the south. The temperatures are not the same, nor the climate, so you may have to water more in the summer in the south than in the north.
A little trick that some professionals use is to touch their leaves. If they see that they are thinning out a lot and the soil is dry, this indicates that it is drawing on the water supply, so you can water it because you know it needs it.
Plagues and diseases
Although they don’t usually affect you, they It will have to be controlled a little, especially in the case of mealybugs.
As for diseases, the most dangerous is root rot due to excess water.
Multiplication
Like the rest of the succulents, the propagation of Echeveria peacockii can be carried out through seeds, suckers or leaves.
Of all of them, the most effective are suckers, but these will only appear if you really take care of your plant (and they will naturally).
If you don’t want to wait and would like to have a new one, it’s best to use the leaves to do so. To do this, one of the leaves must be torn off (always the lowest and always complete). You should place it in a pot with soil, but don’t plant it, but place it on top until you see roots coming out and a small rosette starting to form. When this happens you can gradually add some soil to hide the roots and place it in full sun (at first only half an hour and as it grows the time will increase). In this way, having indirect light and a few hours of direct light, its development will be a little faster.
If you like echeverias with bluish tones, Echeveria peacockii is the one that should not be missing in your collection. And it’s so easy to care for, it almost does it all by itself. What do you think of her?