Echeveria "Melaco" is a succulent plant of the Crassulaceae family, belonging to the genus Pachyphytum. Despite its modest appearance with a hint of brownish-green, its unique temperament shines through, especially during the sunny days of autumn and winter when it truly resembles a chocolate-colored rose. The entire plant exhibits vibrant colors during this season.
The lush coloration of succulent leaves only emerges under sufficient sunlight during autumn, winter, and spring, showcasing the most beautiful appearance of the Echeveria "Melaco". Daily maintenance of the Echeveria "Melaco" requires careful attention to cultivation management. Otherwise, it may be challenging to bring out its beautiful colors when the time comes. Let's discuss how to cultivate the Echeveria "Melaco".
Don't miss out on cultivating the Echeveria "Melaco". Learn four methods to cultivate it and make it stunning during autumn and winter.
1. Suitable Potting Soil for Strong Plants:
To achieve vibrant colors in the Echeveria "Melaco", it's recommended to use sandy loam soil rich in organic matter for potting. This type of soil is loose, porous, and conducive to water drainage, which is ideal for potting Echeveria "Melaco". Growing it in this soil is preferable to using regular soil, as compacted soil can lead to poor root respiration and root rot in succulents.
Suggestion: Choose a pot size suitable for the size of the plant, and mix peat soil or leaf mold with coal slag or coarse sand evenly. When potting, a small amount of bone meal can be added to the substrate. Replace the soil once a year to promote the healthy growth of the Echeveria "Melaco".
2. Abundant Sunlight for Brilliant Colors:
The Echeveria "Melaco" with beautiful leaf colors prefers a warm, sunny environment and dislikes cold and direct sunlight. Under sufficient sunlight, its fleshy leaves form a compact rosette and exhibit purple-brown or purple-red hues. However, excessive exposure to strong sunlight can scorch the leaves or cause them to turn black and rot. If grown in shaded conditions, the leaves of the Echeveria "Melaco" will elongate and turn light brownish-green, resulting in poor stem growth and diminished ornamental value.
Suggestion: The Echeveria "Melaco" looks most beautiful from late autumn to early spring. While shading and improving ventilation are necessary during hot summers, direct sunlight should be provided during spring, autumn, and winter to allow the plant to fully absorb light. With abundant sunlight, the plant will appear compact and attractive, especially during late autumn when there is a significant temperature difference between day and night. However, the Echeveria "Melaco" is not cold-tolerant in winter and should be moved indoors to a sunny location to ensure a temperature above 0-5 degrees Celsius for safe wintering. Even in winter, with adequate sunlight, the Echeveria "Melaco" will still display vibrant colors.
3. Proper Watering and Fertilization for Robust Growth:
To maintain the vibrant appearance of succulent Echeveria "Melaco", it's essential to water and fertilize it appropriately. The Echeveria "Melaco" prefers a dry environment, is drought-tolerant, and dislikes waterlogging. It requires minimal fertilizer, and its compact growth makes it easy to care for. Generally, water should be applied only when the potting soil is completely dry to prevent root rot caused by waterlogging. During the growing season, apply succulent-specific fertilizer to promote robust growth and thick, rounded leaves.
Suggestion: To beautify the Echeveria "Melaco" during autumn and winter, reduce watering and stop fertilizing during the hot summer months. However, during the spring and autumn growing seasons, ample water and fertilizer should be applied to keep the plant well-fed. Ensure that the soil remains moist but not waterlogged, and apply a granular compound fertilizer once a month. During cold temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, reduce watering and stop fertilizing to prevent frost damage. Water should be stopped completely when the temperature drops below 5 degrees Celsius to avoid freezing. By mastering the watering schedule, the Echeveria "Melaco" will exhibit robust growth and beautiful colors.
4. Adequate Ventilation to Prevent Diseases:
Succulent Echeveria "Melaco" plants are highly sensitive to high temperatures and poor ventilation. High temperatures and humidity can lead to root rot and the growth of pests such as aphids and scale insects, which can damage the fleshy stems and leaves of the plant.
Suggestion: The Echeveria "Melaco" prefers a dry and well-ventilated environment during the growing season to prevent root rot and pest infestation. Maintaining good ventilation and sufficient sunlight during the growing season will ensure compact and attractive plant growth. During the scorching heat of summer, shading and improved ventilation are necessary to prevent soil waterlogging and leaf rot under high temperatures. Generally, with good air circulation and abundant sunlight, the Echeveria "Melaco" is less susceptible to diseases. If pests such as aphids are found, they can be removed by scraping them off with bamboo sticks or preemptively spraying fungicides.
Additional Notes: Under sufficient sunlight, the Echeveria "Melaco" displays beautiful leaf colors, resembling a chocolate-colored rose. After rain, it's essential to promptly drain excess water to prevent root rot, as prolonged exposure to rain may be detrimental. If continuous rainy days occur, watering should be suspended until the weather clears up.
Optimal Environmental Temperature: The Echeveria "Melaco" thrives in slightly moist soil without waterlogging. It can withstand low temperatures and survive as long as the temperature is above minus four degrees Celsius. However, if the surrounding environment drops below this point, it may be susceptible to frostbite, resulting in wilting and eventual death. Conversely, in high temperatures, its growth may slow down. It's crucial to avoid excessive exposure to sunlight during this period. The plant has a growing season from September to June of the following year, during which maintaining sufficient sunlight, shade, and moisture is essential.
How to Water and Sunbathe: Be moderate with watering; allow the soil to dry completely before watering thoroughly. Do not keep the surface moist for an extended period. The Echeveria "Melaco" enjoys sunlight and can be placed in full sunlight during non-summer seasons to maintain its color. However, in summer, exposure to direct sunlight should be avoided, and watering should be controlled appropriately. When the soil is almost dry, water thoroughly once, ensuring no water accumulates in the leaf axils.
Propagation Method: Consider leaf insertion or branch insertion. For leaf insertion, select healthy and intact leaves, place them on prepared, moist soil, and ensure that the wounded areas are not buried in the soil. Provide adequate ventilation around the leaves to prevent direct sunlight. Within approximately one to two weeks, roots and buds will begin to emerge. If any leaves become waterlogged, discard them and keep the healthy ones.
Branch insertion is simpler. Cut a portion of a healthy branch with leaves from top to bottom, and then insert it into prepared soil without watering. Once new roots have formed, watering can commence, but initially, only a small amount should be applied to avoid soaking the plant.
Disease Management: Excessive rain may cause Echeveria "Melaco" to develop black spot disease. If this occurs, the affected plant should be moved to prevent further infection. Additionally, a fungicide solution such as mancozeb can be diluted with water and applied to the infected leaves using a cotton swab.
By following these guidelines, you can successfully cultivate and care for the Echeveria "Melaco" succulent, ensuring its health and vibrant appearance throughout the seasons.