Why Echeveria Dicks Pink Should Be the Next Succulent In Your Collection
Are you on the hunt for a jaw-droppingly gorgeous succulent that will turn your plant collection into the envy of the neighborhood? Look no further than Echeveria ‘Dicks Pink’ – a vibrant, rosette-forming beauty that’s quickly becoming a must-have for savvy gardeners everywhere.
With mesmerizing colors that seem almost too vibrant to be real, this echeveria hybrid will stop you dead in your tracks. Imagine dusty purple leaves adorned with smoky blue tones and brilliant red frills along the edges. Then, picture a crowning glory of fiery red blooms emerging from the center. It’s no wonder Echeveria ‘Dicks Pink’ has been setting the succulent world ablaze!
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About Echeveria ‘Dicks Pink’
This captivating succulent is a hybrid cultivar resulting from a cross between Echeveria shaviana and Echeveria gibbiflora. While its exact origins are unknown, there’s no mystery surrounding its showstopping looks. Echeveria ‘Dicks Pink’ forms solitary rosettes up to 10 inches across when mature, boasting fleshy, elongated leaves and thick stems.
With colors this intense, you’d expect ‘Dicks Pink’ to be a demanding diva, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. This low-maintenance marvel is remarkably easy to care for when you meet its basic needs. Ready to add some sizzling style to your garden? Here’s what Echeveria ‘Dicks Pink’ desires:
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Echeveria Dicks Pink Care Guide
Light
Like most succulents, ‘Dicks Pink’ craves lots of bright, direct light – we’re talking at least 4-5 hours per day. Situating your plant outdoors during summer lets it bask in those rays. Indoors, a sunny, south-facing window is ideal, or use a grow light to supplement.
Too little light? Your echeveria will become leggy and stretched out as it tries valiantly to reach those rays. Too much intense sun can lead to sunburn. The goal is to give it as much brightness as possible without going overboard.
Water
Here’s where ‘Dicks Pink’ separates from the diva pack. This variety is wonderfully drought-tolerant once established, storing water in its plump leaves for a rainy day. Wait until the soil is bone dry before giving your echeveria a deep soaking, allowing excess moisture to drain away.
Overwatering is a surefire way to kill this petite powerhouse. On the other hand, signs like wilting, wrinkling or dropping leaves mean you need to up your watering game a smidge. During the spring and summer growth spurt, increase waterings. In winter’s cooler months, you can back off.
Soil
When it comes to soil, your ‘Dicks Pink’ is a bit of a diva – it demands a well-draining, porous potting mix made for succulents. Luckily, finding the right blend is a breeze at most nurseries and garden centers these days. Proper drainage is crucial to prevent root rot from soggy soil.
Fertilizer
While echeverias can survive sans food just fine, an occasional meal gives ‘Dicks Pink’ a healthy boost. During the spring and summer growing period, treat your plant to a diluted dose of cactus fertilizer or succulent plant food every 2-3 weeks. Just be careful not to overfeed – a little goes a long way for these sensitive souls.
Temperature & Humidity
Originating from warm, arid regions, ‘Dicks Pink’ luxuriates in hot and dry conditions. It thrives with indoor temperatures between 65-80°F in spring/summer and a few degrees cooler in winter. High humidity is a no-no that can lead to rot, so aim for 40-50% humidity levels.
Potting and Repotting
When potting or repotting, choose a container just an inch or two wider than the root ball, with drainage holes to prevent soggy soil. ‘Dicks Pink’ is not a fussy repotter – just give it fresh succulent soil when it outgrows its current digs in spring.
Propagating Echeveria Dicks Pink
One of the best things about Echeveria ‘Dicks Pink’ is how easy it is to propagate and expand your collection. This variety readily produces offsets and can be propagated from leaf cuttings, or grown from seeds.
Offset Division
Offsets, also called “pups,” are tiny rosette plantlets that form at the base of the main plant. These can be separated and replanted to grow a new specimen.
- In late spring or early summer, check for offsets that are at least 2 inches (5 cm) wide with their own tiny root systems.
- Using a clean, sharp knife, carefully separate the offset from the main plant by slicing through the stem connection. Try to keep as many roots intact as possible on the offsets.
- Allow the offsets to callus over for 3-5 days before transplanting. This helps prevent rot.
- Prepare a new pot with well-draining cactus/succulent soil. Make a hole and gently set the calloused offset in, being careful not to bury the rosette.
- Water sparingly after transplanting to avoid overwatering the delicate new roots.
Leaf Propagation
You can also propagate new ‘Dicks Pink’ plants from just a single leaf cutting. This is an easy and satisfying way to expand your collection.
- Using tweezers or clean fingers, gently twist and pull a firm, healthy leaf off the main stem. Don’t pull too hard or you may damage the plant.
- Allow the leaf to callus over for 3-5 days until the end dries out slightly.
- Fill a shallow tray or pot with well-draining succulent soil. Set the calloused leaf flatly on the surface and gently cover the end with soil, leaving the rest exposed.
- Set in a bright spot but avoid direct sunlight at first. Lightly mist the soil whenever it dries out completely.
- After a few weeks, you should see roots and a tiny rosette sprouting from the leaf. Once it’s a few inches tall, you can transplant it into its own pot.
Seed Propagation
For the real propagation purists, ‘Dicks Pink’ can be grown from seed as well, though this method takes more time and effort.
- Use a seed starting tray or small pots filled with well-draining cactus/succulent soil.
- Sow seeds shallowly, no more than 1⁄4 inch deep, as they need plenty of light to germinate properly.
- Use a spray bottle to lightly mist the soil whenever it dries out on top. Bottom watering helps avoid washing away seeds.
- Provide lots of bright light and warm temperatures around 70-80°F.
- Once sprouted, very gradually expose the seedlings to more intense light.
- When they’re a few inches tall, you can transplant your new ‘Dicks Pink’ babies into their own pots!
No matter which propagation method you choose, Echeveria ‘Dicks Pink’ rewards your efforts with its vivid colors and easy-care nature. Getting multiple plants from a single variety is a great way to create stunning, drought-tolerant succulent gardens and arrangements!