Little Jewel (Pachyveria) is a hybrid type of succulent with a rosette shape and comes in a wide array of shapes and sizes. Some of the Pachyverias’ appearances varies according to the specific cultivar of succulents.
Patcheveria is a blissful kind of tiny succulent plant. Many cultivars of Pachyveria are amazing, pretty, very rare, and even unique. There are numerous hybrid succulents but Pachyverias are the most popular in the market. Pachyverias are a hybrid cross between Pachyphytum and Echeveria. × Pachyveria glauca ‘Little Jewel’ is a cultivar of × Pachyveria !
How To Grow And Maintain The Pachyveria
It may seem challenging to care for a hybrid succulent, but Pachyveria makes a difference. They are easy to care for as long as you provide them with their basic needs, you will be surprised with the result.
They are so gorgeous, fantastic, and unique plants with their crowning beauty that will make your garden glamorous. Let’s learn how to care for these pretty succulents. Here are some simple guides:
Watering
Water is one of the essential needs of your Pachyveria. However, frequent watering will lead their roots to rot. It is good and best to allow the soil to dry out before watering them again.
Watering should be more abundant during summer and gradually reduced in frequency during the winter. Generally, Pachyverias need less water.
It is necessary to use a small pot with adequate drainage holes that make the watering more efficient as the excess water easily drains away.
Soil
Pachyverias need well-drained soil which is vital to their health and wellbeing. Avoid using water-retaining soils that could cause and contribute to the drowning of your Pachyveria.
Succulents don’t like garden soil. Rich sand, well-drained, and succulent potting soils are ideal to use, a soil that could provide proper drainage and promote good root development. The pH level should be within the appropriate range.
Be sure to place your Pachyveria in a container with a drainage hole allowing the excess water and moisture to drain easily to prevent the root from getting rot.
Light
This type of plant prefers a sunny position or bright light that will allow the plant to take on a compact rather than low light. Pachyveria requires plenty of bright light. Placing it in a window is ideal for this beautiful succulent.
Some of the cultivars can tolerate more light than others. Hence, your Pachyveria enjoys sitting in your sunniest window.
However, if you allow your Pachyveria outdoors, gradually expose them to direct sunlight. Be sure to start them at a light level for several weeks before the full exposure to sunlight. The transition period allows the Pachyveria to adapt without the risk of getting sunburn. Generally, Pachyveria loves full sun.
Temperature
This pretty succulent prefers a warm environment and thrives well in this kind of weather.
Pachyverias won’t do so well with temperatures below freezing point but can still tolerate much warmer temperatures as long as it doesn’t become dry. You need to water them more frequently during periods of extreme heat.
A light frost is fine but not for a long time period as this might kill them.
Proper monitoring for your beautiful succulent is needed for them to grow and thrive well in the home environment.
Fertilizer
Pachyveria needs very little fertilizer. Part of the care requirements for these beautiful succulents is rich soil which is essential for their growth. Hence it will benefit from rich soil and watering.
It needs to be fed once a week and add a small amount of compost. Either way, a well-balanced fertilizer once a month will be all they need.
Propagation
Pachyveria could be propagated by leaf or stem cuttings. Most likely, gardeners prefer to take leaf cuttings from the base of the plant. Here is the simple process to follow:
• To prepare a container with succulent soil mix.
• To hold the rosette to the stem and carefully remove the leaves starting at the base.
• Place the leaf cuttings on top of the soil ensuring there is plenty of air or air dry. Be sure to keep your cuttings out of direct sunlight during the propagation period.
For stem cuttings, these will produce faster results. You will simply need to snip the top few inches from any stem. Just to make sure to use clean, sharp scissors to ensure a clean cut and minimal damage or risk of infection.
Then, wait for the cut surface to dry for a few days and place the stem cutting in a moist soil mix. Keep it out of direct sunlight. After a few days, the cutting will start to take root. Soon, you will begin to see the tiny rosette and the tiny roots pop up.
Common Pest problems and solutions
• Black spots.
These are fungus that developed in the damaged plant tissue due to overwatering. Too much water overflows to Pachyveria water storage tissue which makes it bloat and explodes.
You may be able to save this pretty succulent by trimming off the damaged leaves and stems and report in dry soil. Water it less this time. This is one of the common causes but still, there are factors to consider the causes of these diseases.
• Bugs.
If the spots on your Pachyveria leaves are tiny and look like freckles, insects might be the problem. Remove the leaves immediately and throw them away. These can be sprayed or wiped by an insecticidal soap and water mixture.
Another way is to wipe the leaves with neem oil. These pretty succulents can get leaf spot diseases from the leaves when being too wet. The leaves of the Pachyveria can get dark spots if they are overwatered.
• Aphids and thrips.
These are pinhead insects that latch and suck the juices of tender new leaves. buds and stems.
Remove these pests by using a strong release of water spray to remove all insects in the infested stems and leaves. The remaining aphids can also be sprayed by using alcohol or any organic insecticides.
Here Are The Beautiful Varieties Of Pachyverias And Their Characteristics.
• Pachyveria Bea.
The leaves are cylindrical and form a rosette that is thick, fleshy, light bluish-gray in color, elongated and pointed.
They love light but can tolerate being indoors if enough light is given.
• Pachyveria Myrtilla.
An attractive rosette that grows up 10 inches (25 cm) in diameter.
The leaves of Pachyveria Myrtilla are spoon-shaped, the reddish-green is covered with a powdery bloom. It turns rich pink during winter if the plant gets plenty of sunlight.
• Pachyveria Clavifolia
Also known as a jeweled crown. Pachyveria Clavifolia is a succulent that crosses between Pachyphytum bracteosum and Echeveria rosea.
It has the color of powdery blue. It forms rosettes of round, fleshy leaves with a bluish pink at the edges if grown in bright sunlight. They love to be in bright light and thrive.
• Pachyveria Glauca.
The leaves of the Pachyveria Glauca form a spikey rosette and resemble a jewel. The blue-gray leaves have red tips if exposed to direct sunlight will turn into a deep maroon. Pachyveria glauca has tiny peach-colored flowers which bloom in winter.
• Pachyveria Powder Puff.
This pretty succulent is also known as Pachyveria “Exotica” is a hybrid kind of Pachyphytum oviferum and Echeveria cante.
Pachyveria Powder Puff is a pretty succulent that forms small shrubby plants. The leaves with their color of powdery silvery-blue will blush into violet during cold temperatures. So, an amazing kind of succulent shrub.
• Pachyveria Clavata.
Pachyveria Clavata is a well-known beautiful hybrid succulent. It reaches around 20 cm (8″) tall as the plant matures.
This kind of succulent is quite popular amongst growers that this gorgeous succulent is accessible.
The most notable features of these succulents are the pale-blue to blue-green leaves that often have a slight red on the inside. It produces reddish flowers.
• Pachyveria Scheideckeri.
This kind of succulent is a hybrid cross between Pachyphytum bracteosum and Echeveria Secunda.
The leaves of Pachyveria Scheideckeri have stunning glaucous silver-grey color which will flush pink/red in strong light.
In the year 1870 by Peter Scheideckeri in Munich, this kind of succulent was cultivated as an Echeveria hybrid.
Origin of Pachyveria
Pachyveria is a kind of hybrid succulent that has the characteristics of having thick, fleshy leaves and loves full sun. It gets its name from the Latin word for thick – “pachy”.
They generally grow from 2 – 6 inches and do well in soil full of phosphorus and potassium, but low in nitrogen.
Pachyveria is a kind of species that belongs to a hybrid succulent that crosses between Pachyphytum and Echeveria. It comes from the family of Crassulaceae.
It is quite rewarding that you let them grow by themselves and make the best out of this experience. It’s fun, exciting, and enjoyable knowing how to do it.
They are easy to care for and have the most unique and gorgeous appearance that you will be surprised at how much you will like the plant.
Again, be sure and make every effort to keep your Pachyveria in a sunny place where it gets sunlight and proper water, soil, and pests management. So long as you care and give it all it needs to grow, success will be yours.
Final Thoughts
In a way, the Patcheveria family is easy to care for and quite unique. Naturally, they are gorgeous and rare. These succulents grow from 2 – 6 inches in diameter.
Treat yourself – you’ll be so happy you did. These little plants are big conversation pieces. Easy to keep – yet beautiful to behold!
Jenny Marie
Tribal Writer
Edited By
Patricia Godwin
