The Echeveria 'Hakuhou' is a succulent plant of the Crassulaceae family, a hybrid variety cultivated from the Echeveria pallida and Echeveria laui. Its large, upward-stretching stems and leaves inherit traits from Echeveria pallida, while the powdery white coating covering the entire plant is inherited from Echeveria laui, combining the characteristics of both parent species. As the Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi wrote, "The warm spring water slides like condensed fat," likening the smooth and lustrous skin to that of Echeveria 'Hakuhou'.
Echeveria 'Hakuhou' is relatively large among succulents, with leaves reaching a maximum diameter of 20cm. Its stems and fleshy leaves are thick, covered with a white powder. The spoon-shaped leaves are arranged in a rosette pattern, with a length of up to 15cm and a width of 5-7cm. The leaves are usually light green or light blue, but under conditions of large temperature fluctuations, low temperatures, and long sunlight exposure, they can easily transition to pink from the leaf margin or base. When it blooms, it is very beautiful, with umbel inflorescences emerging from the leaf axils, bell-shaped flowers with 5 sepals, and pink on the outside and orange-red on the inside. The flower diameter is about 1.5cm, and it blooms in autumn. After flowering, the flower stems can be trimmed to avoid nutrient consumption.
Echeveria 'Hakuhou' prefers a warm, dry, and sunny environment. It loves sunlight, so it is not suitable for shading indoors. It can also grow in summer, with the optimal growing temperature being 18-25°C. The white powder on the leaves reflects sunlight, so shading is unnecessary even during hot summers. From spring to autumn, Echeveria 'Hakuhou' exhibits a refreshing light green color, with a faint blue hue under the white powder. In winter, with low temperatures and strong sunlight, the leaf tips, edges, and backs turn red. Covered with white powder, the round leaves resemble the rosy cheeks of a little girl playing in the snow, which is very adorable.
Echeveria 'Hakuhou' is relatively drought-tolerant and does not require much water. During the growth period in spring and autumn, watering once a week is sufficient. In winter, watering only 1-2 times is necessary, and the potting soil should be kept dry. If the temperature drops below 0°C, stop watering to prevent freezing damage. In high temperatures in summer, ventilation should be maintained, and watering should be controlled. When the temperature exceeds 35°C, gradually reduce watering under scattered sunlight, resuming watering once the temperature drops. Watering should be done when the soil is dry to the touch, ensuring thorough watering. When the air is dry, spraying water around the plant can increase humidity. When watering, avoid the center of the leaves, as the thin layer of white powder on the leaves, which grows with the leaves, will not regenerate once removed, affecting aesthetics.
As Echeveria 'Hakuhou' is relatively large, it is best to repot it every 1-2 years according to its growth status. The pot diameter can be 1-2 inches larger than the plant diameter to promote growth. For soil mix, prioritize ventilation, and use a mixture of peat soil and coarse sand. When repotting, carefully remove Echeveria 'Hakuhou' from the pot, wash the roots after removing the soil clumps, and remove most of the soil on the roots. If necessary, trim any blackened or dead roots, then air dry the roots for about a week before repotting. After about a week, place it in sunlight for normal care.
Propagation of Echeveria 'Hakuhou' is mainly by stem cutting and leaf cutting. Leaf cutting is done in spring and autumn (temperatures between 15-30°C). Healthy leaves are taken and placed in a well-ventilated, shady place until the wounds heal, then inserted into sterile seedling soil, keeping the soil moist. Roots will develop in one to two weeks. Stem cutting involves leaving 2-3 pairs of leaves at the base, drying the wound after cutting the top, then inserting it into sterile seedling soil. As long as the stem does not rot and the leaves do not wilt, roots will develop. Echeveria 'Hakuhou' grows relatively quickly and is prone to becoming old stumps, so attention should be paid to shaping during growth. To shape old stumps, utilize the plant's phototropism or place the flowerpot upside down to allow the stem to bend, forming beautiful old stumps.