Echeveria setosa
| Light | Bright light to a little direct sun; needs good light to stay compact |
|---|---|
| Water | Moderate in growth; let the soil dry between waterings; water from below to keep the rosette dry |
| Soil | Fast-draining gritty mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Keep above freezing; USDA zones 9b–11 |
| Propagation | Leaf cuttings, offsets and seed |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats and dogs |
Echeveria setosa is a low-growing, stemless Echeveria from south-central Mexico, prized for the dense coat of fine white bristles that clothes its tight rosettes. In spring and summer it sends up arching stalks of tubular red-and-yellow flowers that give the species its common name, Mexican firecracker.
Description
Echeveria setosa forms a compact, almost stemless rosette that typically reaches around 10–15 cm across, often clustering into small mounds with age. The spoon-shaped, deep-green leaves are densely covered on both faces with short, stiff white hairs (setae), giving the whole plant a soft, frosted appearance and a slightly bristly feel. The hairs help diffuse strong sunlight.
From late spring the rosette produces one or more arching flower stalks up to about 30 cm long. The bristly stalks carry clusters of nodding, urn-shaped flowers that are scarlet to orange-red at the base and tipped bright yellow at the flared mouth — the "firecracker" display that is a highlight of the growing year. Several bristly and hairy forms and varieties exist in cultivation, differing in leaf shape and the density of the setae.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to the highlands of south-central Mexico, in the states of Puebla and Oaxaca. It grows on rocky slopes and outcrops, rooting into gritty pockets among rocks where drainage is sharp and where surrounding terrain gives some shelter. As a montane plant it is used to bright light, warm days and cooler nights, and to going fairly dry between rains.
Cultivation
Echeveria setosa is an undemanding and rewarding plant given light, warmth and restraint with the watering can. Grow it in a very free-draining, gritty mix in a pot only a little larger than the rosette, in bright light with a few hours of gentle direct sun. Too little light causes the rosette to stretch and open up, spoiling its tight form.
Water thoroughly when the mix has dried out, then let it dry again; ease right off in winter, when the plant is best kept cool and nearly dry. The dense hairs trap moisture, so it is important to water from below or at the soil line and to avoid leaving water sitting in the crown, which invites rot. Good airflow helps the rosette dry quickly. See Watering and Repotting for general technique.
Propagation
E. setosa is easy to increase. Mature plants often produce offsets that can be separated and rooted (see Propagation — offsets). Whole healthy leaves gently twisted from the rosette will, laid on barely moist mineral mix, root and form plantlets, though the hairy leaves can be a little more temperamental than smooth-leaved echeverias — see Propagation — cuttings. The species also comes readily from seed (see Propagation — seed), which is the usual route for producing large numbers or new selections.
Common problems
- Crown and root rot — the commonest killer, caused by water sitting in the hairy rosette or by a slow-draining, soggy mix; water from below and keep the plant dry in winter.
- Etiolation — in too little light the rosette stretches, pales and loses its compact shape.
- Pests — mealybugs love to hide among the bristles and in the crown, and the dense hairs make them harder to spot and treat; watch also for aphids on the flower stalks. See Pests and diseases.
- Water marks — droplets left on the leaves in strong sun can scorch or leave marks, another reason to water carefully.
See also
- Echeveria — the genus overview
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Repotting
- Propagation — offsets · Propagation — cuttings · Propagation — seed
- Pests and diseases