One of the rarest echeverias and that you will not find easily (we refer to equal varieties far from this species), is the Echeveria setosa. Have you heard of her?
It is said that it is the ‘hairy echeveria’ due to that characteristic that it has, but what else can we know about it? Next We present you the most complete guide with its most important characteristics, varieties and care. Do not miss it.
How is the Echeveria setosa
The setosa echeveria, also known as hairy or hairy echeveria, is one of the most impressive, and sometimes leaves you wondering if you can touch it or not. They are plants that do not grow much, since they will only be around 7-15 centimeters. As for the rosette, this can be a little larger, between 15 and 20 cm.
Its stem is very, very small and always grows in the form of rosettes. Although its main color is green, the truth is that we can find various shades from apple green, bluish, dark or gray. Furthermore, in all of them there is always a red hue at the tip of the leavessometimes imperceptible by the hairs.
Those who have had an echeveria of this type in their hands say that it is like having a stuffed animal, and it is that the touch is very similar, hence there are many who opt for it. It must be taken into account that it is one of the few that stands out and is different from echeverias (beyond the color of the leaves).
Regarding the flowers, she throws them in spring and summer and they will be yellow with a red base. They are bell shaped and the floral rod will reach 15-20 cm in height, being able to house 6 to 9 flowers.
It is native to Mexico, however, it is very difficult to find it in its natural habitat and It is considered an endangered echeveria. Yes, although it can be easily found in stores, or by people who have it and reproduce it, the truth is that, where it comes from, it has practically disappeared.
varieties
Do you remember that we told you before that it is one of those that you are going to find different varieties of? Well yes, Echeveria pilosa (scientific name of Echeveria setosa), not only allows you to find the “original” ones on the market, but also variations and hybrids of these. The best known (and marketed) are the following:
- Silky arrow.
- Setosa Ciliata (this one actually lacks hairs or these are only concentrated in a part of the leaves).
- Echeveria setosa cristata.
- Silky Fo42.
- Setosa minor.
- Echeveria setosa diminuta (or deminuta).
In general, all of them are easy to find and their price is not too high.
Echeveria setosa care
Now you know more about the Echeveria setosa. So this time we want to help you know what you should do to take care of it and keep it looking like a stuffed plant. And from now on we tell you that it is not as difficult as you might think.
location and temperature
This is one of the few echeverias that we are going to tell you that You can have both indoors and outdoors. Especially indoors.
And it is that it is not as demanding with lighting as other echeverias can be. Yeah, it needs sun, and if possible direct a few hours in the morning, but after midday it prefers indirect light and only appreciates other hours in the afternoon. That is why it can be inside the house.
Of course, you can also have it outside, but be careful, because too much light can cause the leaves to burn or wrinkle, thus spoiling their appearance.
Regarding the temperature, Echeveria setosa is one of the types that absorbs the most water through the leavesso it can hold up very well in very high and dry temperatures.
But when it is very cold it is more delicate. Even so, as long as you keep it dry and protected, you won’t have any kind of problem.
Substratum
always opt for a soil that has a lot of drainage to prevent the plant from being damaged by water. The best is a mix between universal earth, earthworm humus, volcanic stone, perlite and river sand.
Irrigation
The Echeveria setosa is one of the echeverias that needs less irrigation. And it is that It can go 2 weeks without you watering it and nothing will happen to it. In fact, in winter it can be done with a monthly watering.
Of course, everything will depend on where you live and the climate that this plant has. But it is better that the substrate is very dry and water little than to spend with it.
Subscriber
Yes ok does not need a subscriber (like none of the Echeverias), if you want you can opt for some homemade ones such as egg shell (it will help to avoid fungus) or banana or potato peel.
Plagues and diseases
The most common that usually go for the Echeveria setosa are the aphids, mealybugs, snails and spider mites. If that happens you will have to use neem oil or potassium soap to get rid of it and apply it every two weeks as a prevention.
As for diseases, the most common is root rot from excessive watering.
Multiplication
Do you want to propagate Echeveria pilosa? Well, you can do it in three different ways:
- By seeds: a rather long process but that allows you to get several plants at the same time.
- By sheets: the process takes several weeks, but even so it is what most people are encouraged to do. To do this, you have to remove a complete leaf from the Echeveria and place it in a pot so that roots begin to grow. At that time, it can be buried a bit as the new plant comes out.
- By shoots or offspring: They are the templates that are born to the sides or below the main rosette. These are children of the ones you have and you just have to let them grow enough to cut them and place them in a separate pot. So you will have another plant just like it.
Now if Do you know everything you need to have a setosa Echeveria at home?. Do you dare to have it? You already have one? We read you in comments.
