€10,60

🌱 Morphology
  A crested form of Echeveria secunda that transforms the species' characteristic compact rosette into a flattened, elongated, and sinuous structure, resembling a fan or undulating crest. Instead of developing a central, rounded growth apex, the meristem extends laterally, generating an irregular succession of folds, lobes, and ripples that can resemble a small mountain range.

The leaves are fleshy, spatulate, and pointed, arranged densely along the crest. They retain the bluish-green or glaucous gray hue of the species, with a whitish pruinosity that provides a matte, powdery finish. The apices can acquire pinkish or reddish tints with intense lighting and cool temperatures. The crested form can be very stable or occasionally produce offsets that revert to normal rosette growth. Therefore, the final silhouette varies between specimens and can change over time.

🌍 Distribution, habitat and family
The crested form is a horticultural mutation, so it does not have its own natural distribution. Its parent species, Echeveria secunda, is native to Mexico, especially the mountainous regions in the center of the country. It is documented in the state of Hidalgo, including the mountains surrounding Pachuca, and is part of the flora in rocky environments in various areas of central Mexico. It is also cited in nearby mountainous areas of Puebla, Tlaxcala, and the surroundings of the large volcanoes of central Mexico.

In the wild, the species grows on rocky outcrops, volcanic slopes, and crevices where a small amount of mineral substrate accumulates. Some populations develop at high altitudes in environments subject to strong thermal fluctuations, dry periods, and cold spells. The typical form produces compact rosettes and numerous offsets, while the crested form exhibits anomalous apical growth that alters that usual architecture.

In cultivation, the crest requires a very well-draining substrate and good ventilation, as the dense folds can retain moisture and hinder uniform drying. Abundant lighting helps maintain compact growth and intensifies the bluish and reddish tones.

Family Crassulaceae · Series Secundae.

❄️ Temperature
USDA 9a: −6.7 °C, the lower climatic limit of this zone. This figure does not guarantee that the crested form can withstand that temperature. Although the typical species comes from mountainous environments and may show higher cold tolerance than other Echeverias, the specific resistance of this mutation is not documented. It is recommended to protect it from prolonged frosts and keep the substrate dry during cold spells.

☀️ Lighting
Full sun · DLI PAR 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹. Abundant lighting promotes leaf compaction and can accentuate bluish and reddish tones. Adaptation to direct sun should be gradual. In summer, with very high temperatures, it may benefit from protection during the central hours of the day. It is especially important to maintain good ventilation between the folds of the crest.

💧 Growth cycle and irrigation
Winter dormancy. During active growth, it is recommended to water deeply and allow the substrate to dry out completely before watering again. In winter, when temperatures drop and activity decreases, watering should be significantly spaced out. It is preferable to water the substrate directly and avoid having water retained in the concavities of the crest, where it could promote rot.

🌸 Flowering
When it blooms, it can produce flower stalks with bell-shaped flowers in reddish or orange tones with yellow tips, characteristic of Echeveria secunda. The crested alteration can modify the development of the stems and cause flowering to be irregular.

🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, Desert CHOICE® Succulents is recommended, applied after watering. Before flowering, it can be supplemented with Desert CHOICE® Flowering. Fertilizer is not recommended during winter dormancy.

This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a technological square pot, with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.
10x10 cm black gourmet pot

* As this is an online purchase, the appearance of the specimen sent may vary slightly from the product image. The photo description specifies the plant's dimensions, but this may also vary slightly because, after all, it is a living being! Each of the plants at Desert CITY has unique characteristics.

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