Expert: Greg Simpson - 5/27/2006

Question
THANKS for your answer.  I see that I misspelled ECHEVERIAS!  Anyway, please clear up my question:  You say to cut them back; well, would that mean that I technically go into the center of the rosette and pinch the little "runner" out?  That is what seems right, but I have hesitated, not wanting to do harm.  Thanks in advance, and thank you for the web sites you suggested.  
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Followup To

Question -
I adore succulents.  However, I have only been growing and collecting them for about two years.  I wonder what to do with certain succulents such as eschivera or other rosette-forming succulents to keep them cute and compact, and to prevent them from growing long and tall from the center.  I don't want to prune or pinch them back unless that would be a sound practice.

Answer -
Dear Patricia,

The only way to keep them small and cute is to buy varieties that stay small. Cutting them back is a good practice to keep any plant in a juvenile form. Check out this site for some different varieties: http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Crassulaceae/Echeveria.html

or contact these folks to purchase some exotic types. Be careful though, it becomes addictive!

http://www.echeverias.com/export.html

Sincerely,

Greg

Answer
Dear Patricia,

Typically, you can cut off the "rosette" in the center which will cause it to branch, thus keeping your plant small. I would wait until the plant is about 6 inches or so high. You may want to send an email to the folks in Australia to see what they think.

Good luck.

Sincerely,

Greg