The genus Echeveria was named in 1827 by the great Swiss botanist Augustin De Candolle to honor Atanasio Echeverria, the illustrator of the "Flora Mexicana."
At that time, there were only three known species. Today, including hybrids, there are several hundred named species. Most are endemic to the high altitude plateaus of Mexico, but several species are found in Texas. A few hardier denizens occupy rocky hillsides in the Peruvian Andes. All require excellent drainage, especially during their normal resting periods. Many can withstand colder winter temperatures (Zone 8) without freezing as long as they remain dry.
In their native habitats, they survive on seasonal rainfall, utilizing the water stored in their leaves in times of drought.In the garden, all appreciate supplemental watering during the growing season, as well as the addition of growth promoting compost. I grow my plants in a mix of 3 parts Pro-Mix BX mixed with 2 parts compost and 2 parts Turface. If the plant is tender, I add a top dressing of a quarter inch of Grani-Grit #1.
Echeverias make excellent pot subjects; in the colder parts of the Panhandle they can be easily over-wintered indoors and placed outside during the summer months.
Experts disagree on the subject of fertilization. Opponents claim it "plumps" the plants abnormally, promoting overly lush growth thus making it susceptible to attack by insects; proponents argue that it promotes flowering and provides needed micro-nutrients. I prefer to fertilize my plants during their active period of growth with a water-soluable 15-30-15 fertilizer.
Mealy bugs and aphids are the only pests that afflict Echeverias. I use a cotton swab doused in rubbing alcohol to kill the mealy bugs. Aphids are crushed by hand. A word of warning -- most pesticides -- in particular Malathion and horticultural oil- will cause irreversible damage to the waxy coating on the leaves.
Propagation is simple -- many species are stoloniferous or clumping and produce offsets from the base of the mother plant. It is a simple process to remove and repot the "chick." A few species will grow from leaf cuttings, but I have found this to be true only when the plant is in active growth, and then a new plantlet is only produced if the leaf is laid on top
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