Mentioning Cupid always gives people a feeling of "heart pounding"! As a synonym for the god of love, it has always been a symbol of love and being loved. In fact, succulents also have their Cupid. Not only do their flowers and leaves bear the name, but their gentle and healing pink-purple color is truly hard not to fall in love with at first sight!
Echeveria 'Cupid' belongs to the Crassulaceae family, a succulent in the Echeveria genus. Some businesses also name it "Echeveria 'Cupid''s Arrow." It is a hybrid variety of Echeveria 'Topsy Turvy' and Echeveria 'Dusty Rose.' It inherits the sturdy and easy-to-care-for characteristics of 'Topsy Turvy' and the gentle, powdery purple color of 'Dusty Rose.' Moreover, it inherits the common gene of both, a thick layer of white powder covering the surface of the leaves. This hybridization maximizes the advantages of both, making it a succulent variety that surpasses its parents, hence its allure.
Echeveria 'Cupid' is a spring and autumn variety, mainly growing during these seasons, but its dormant period is not obvious. It prefers a sunny, warm, and dry environment, with loose, well-draining soil containing about 60% mineral particles. Its leaf color can change continuously with the seasons and duration of sunlight. Most of the time, the leaves tend to be pink-blue. Only when exposed to sufficient light and dry air or with significant temperature differences between day and night, will the leaves turn fully pink. Prolonged rain or lack of sunlight can cause the white powder on old leaves to fall off or fade.
Although Echeveria 'Cupid' inherits the characteristic of heart-shaped leaves from 'Topsy Turvy,' the instability of hybrid varieties means that compared to 'Topsy Turvy,' it may have some degeneration. Only a few leaves have obvious heart shapes, and some leaves may even resemble the elongated spoon shape of 'Dusty Rose,' especially when lacking sunlight for a long time or spreading flat. The heart shape at the tip of the leaf may become less pronounced. Also, due to the thick nature of its leaves, when the leaves curl, some may have small concave pits on the back, which is one of the main distinguishing features from other similar varieties. To maintain the lush appearance of the leaves, Echeveria 'Cupid' should be pruned regularly to maintain its shape and control its height. Trimmed top parts can be rooted in sandy, slightly moist potting soil to grow into new plants. The stem and leaves at the bottom can sprout more lateral buds.
After Echeveria 'Cupid' matures, not only will its branches become thick and sturdy, but it can also produce side shoots. Propagation can mainly be done through leaf cuttings or beheading. Because it carries the strong genes of 'Topsy Turvy,' there is also a certain probability of crested growth when propagating through leaf cuttings or beheading. For succulent enthusiasts who love pink-purple succulents, why not aim your Echeveria 'Cupid''s arrow towards it!
When preparing the soil for Echeveria 'Cupid' succulents, we can directly use succulent potting soil mixed with 50% to 60% river sand. Alternatively, you can prepare the soil yourself, such as mixing peat soil, perlite, and coarse river sand in a ratio of 4:3:3. These soils share the common characteristics of excellent water and air permeability and contain some nutrients, which can meet Echeveria 'Cupid''s growth needs while ensuring the health of its roots.
Echeveria 'Cupid' is one of the few succulent varieties with red leaves all year round, but although its leaves are always red throughout the year, the color of Echeveria 'Cupid' can also vary depending on the light. For example, in insufficient light or during the summer when we provide shade, Echeveria 'Cupid''s leaf color may become a lighter pink-blue. However, in spring and autumn when sunlight is abundant, Echeveria 'Cupid''s leaves will become very bright red. Therefore, we can adjust the intensity of light according to our preferences, but overall, the more light, the better.
Recommendation: In spring, autumn, and winter, Echeveria 'Cupid' is best kept in full sunlight. In summer, we should avoid direct strong sunlight at noon, and the shading degree should be above 50%.
As mentioned earlier, the most common problem with Echeveria 'Cupid' is root rot and death. Although root rot is directly related to ventilation, watering is also an important factor. When watering Echeveria 'Cupid', we must remember to keep it dry rather than wet. A little drought may not affect it much, but if excessive humidity causes root rot, it may lead to Echeveria 'Cupid''s death directly.
Recommendation: In spring and autumn, when watering Echeveria 'Cupid', we should wait until the potting soil is completely dry before watering. We should also control watering once every two weeks. That is to say, after the potting soil is completely dry, we should water it again after about three days. In summer, when watering Echeveria 'Cupid', we can use its leaves as a signal. When Echeveria 'Cupid''s leaves become soft and droop, we can water it. Of course, we can also water it once a month, but remember to ensure good ventilation for Echeveria 'Cupid' in summer. In winter, we can water Echeveria 'Cupid' when its leaves start to fall off. Sometimes, Echeveria 'Cupid' can grow very well even without watering throughout the winter.
In summary, to grow Echeveria 'Cupid' well, we must control ourselves, water it less, and let it bask in the sun more. When preparing the soil and selecting flower pots, prioritize water and air permeability. Under these conditions, your Echeveria 'Cupid' succulents can have full, bright, and healthy leaves.