Echeveria Purpusorum

A rose by any other name. Indoor plants take on any shape and size. And with an uptick in indoor plants, more succulents find a home from dry open lands to people’s windowsills. The Echeveria Purpusorum is one succulent that you might find in a plant enthusiast’s home. 

The genus Echeverria is named after Atanasio Echeverria Codoy, an 18th-century botanist. However, the purpusorum species was discovered by Carl and George Purpus. Carl, a botanist, and George, the explorer, usually worked together.  

Like most succulents, Echeveria Purpusorum is a short and thick-leaved plant. It is known in some circles as The Rose or Urbinia. Its moniker, the rose, comes from its leaves’ arrangement and pigmentation. A full-grown plant resembled a rose flower. This resemblance is reinforced by its red pigmentation along its leaves’ edges. 

Echeveria Purpusorum Hybrids

There are a variety of hybrids for Echeveria Purpusorum. However, the majority of it is found in nurseries. The common ones are Echeveria Dionysos, Echeveria Fabiola, Echeveria Shamrock, Echeveria Belle Etoile, and Echeveria Ben Badis. We listed down a short description of each for your reference.

• Echeveria Dionysos – This hybrid is said to be the most popular hybrid for Echeveria Purpusorum. It has plump and not-so-pointy leaves
• Echeveria Fabiola – This hybrid is a result from combining Echeveria Purpusorum and Echeveria Derenbergii. It is the same size as its mother plant but has paler green leaves and red tips.
• Echeveria Shamrock – This one has a vibrant color with green leaves and red edges. Undersides leave also has red mottling
• Echeveria Belle Etoile – This hybrid has long leaves with green and red mottling. Echeveria Belle Etoile is among the rarest hybrids available
• Echeveria Ben Badis – This is a combination of Echeveria Purpusorum and Echeveria Derenbergii. It has a similar appearance to Echeveria Fabiola but with red mottling underneath the leave.

Occurrence

Echeveria Purpusorum is found in Southern Mexico. It thrives in dry, hot areas. You are likely to find it in Oaxaca and Puebla. However, it can be regrown in favorable conditions. The best time to find this species in nature is around May and June. 

Echeveria Purpusorum is a slow grower. Its leaves grow up to 8cm in diameter in the most expansive area. It develops pointy leaves, and the whole plant grows into something resembling a fully bloomed rose flower pattern. You might mistake it for having no stem. However, it has short esteem, reaching about 7cm in length and only 2 cm wide.

The leaves are different shades of green. You can get ones with green leaves with some grey on them, deep olive green, or white-green. In some instances, you will find ones with irregular reddish spots on the leaves. Sunlight affects the color of the leaves. The leaves curve inwards in the middle, with sharp edges and a slight bulge on the underside. 

Propagating Echeveria Purpusorum

This species is a slow grower. Seed propagation is not the best way to propagate it. It would be better if you propagated it from offsets. Propagating from the mother plant requires that the mother plant has produced offsets. Typically, this is a characteristic of an aged plant. 

Cut the offset from the main plant with a sharp, sterile blade and wait for it to be callous. Place it in well-draining soil with just enough water. Monitor the soil and note when it dries out. Water the soil once it’s dry. 

If you prefer to grow it in nature, grow it in dry areas during the warmer months. Ideally, you’d want to do this using seed. It will take a long time since it’s a slow grower. However, follow this method for the best results. 

Make sure you get seed from verified sources. Most grower stores sell pure seeds. However, you can use hybrids if you want to grow hybrids. 

Make sure the soil where you grow the seed is wee-drained and suited for the species. Don’t cover the seed after you put it in the soil. This is to help it sprout. The soil needs to have a pH slightly above 6.0. The species does well in acidic conditions. 

Cover the area with a humidity dome or a plastic cover to retain some moisture that might evaporate from the ground. It’s crucial not to expose the seed to direct sunlight. However, make sure the area is well lit. Shade works well. You should see some progress in about 4 weeks. Water the area again.

Fertilize during the summer and spring. Mix three parts of water with one part of fertilizer. However, stop fertilizing around the dormancy period. 

Echeveria Purpusorum Care

Echeveria Purpusorum requires little pruning. This usually happens as the plant ages. Some of the older leaves may start to change color and wilt. It is okay to cut these leaves. Pruning helps prevent any possible pests and diseases from spreading throughout your succulents. It also helps maintain the size and shape of your Echeveria Purpusorum.

This type of plant only needs a typical amount of watering. Same with other succulents, the soak and dry method is advisable. You will have to ensure that you allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. Use well-draining soil and check if there is water on the leaves or base of your Echeveria Purpusorum. Proper watering helps avoid pests and diseases such as mealybugs.

The ideal temperature for your Echeveria Purpusorum is between 40 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. You have to be very careful not to place your succulent in a location below 40 degrees Fahrenheit as it might not survive. Frigid temperatures can cause your Echeveria Purpusorum foliage to turn black, and the leaves might fall off.

Your Echeveria Purpusorum also thrives well with full to partial sunlight. If placed indoors, ensure it is situated near a window to get enough sunlight. Strong sunlight is crucial for the health of your succulents.

Since your Echeveria Purpusorum is naturally tiny, potting and repotting are also more accessible. Make sure that you are using the proper container. It should have enough drainage holes to let the water flow easily and to avoid root rot. In repotting, you may consider it once the plant grows more significant than its current pot. You might want to use a bigger pot so that your Echeveria Purpusorum has enough space to grow fully. When you pot or repot your succulents, ensure that you water them properly to settle any air pockets around the roots.

You need to use a porous soil mixture for your Echeveria Purpusorum. It is advisable to use a succulent or cactus soil mixture from your local garden center, or you might also prepare your mixture. Combine one part cacti and succulent potting mix with two parts perlite or sand. Check on the soil requirement of your succulents as it is crucial to the overall health of your plant. Indoor growing helps you to monitor problems closely. Catching any issues at their earliest is your best bet to keep the plant thriving. Still, Echeveria Purpusorum is a hardy succulent. It can withstand most problems on its own. 

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• Echeveria Affinis – A Special Succulent Called ‘Echeveria Black Prince’

Common Questions About Echeveria Purpusorum

#1. Is it susceptible to pests?

Echeveria Purpusorum is attractive to aphids. They attack the plant and other flowering Echeveria species, exposing them to rot. The first sign of attack and deterioration is blackish spots on the leaves. At the onset of an infestation, cut the affected part and treat it with a mixture of fungicide and water. Leaves should not be covered in the liquid. The fungicide should work on the treated areas. Segregate the affected plants from the natural plants to minimize the damage. You can do this by removing the affected plants from the area or bug-proofing the natural plants. 

Quarantine new plants before introducing them to an area with older plants.

Other pests bound to attack your plant include mites, mealybugs, and gnats. 

Like most succulents, Echeveria Purpusorum is susceptible to cold. However, prolonged exposure to extreme cold will kill the plant. They go into dormancy in the colder month. Protect them from the cold by moving into warm areas indoors. 

#2. Is Echeveria Purpusorum poisonous?

This succulent plant is mostly harmless to humans and house pets. You are likely to see it at parties as cake decoration. It is not advisable to eat any part of the plant. Cat owners will love this species. Cats love to nibble on some plants. Echeveria Purpusorum is not lethal to cats. However, keep them at a safe distance to preserve them. 

Final Words

Echeveria Purpusorum is a rare plant. Getting one would bring a dash of color into your home. It’s easy to cultivate and requires little maintenance. That should give you enough reason to bring this succulent into your home.