Page 24d Echeveria bella

Echeveria bellaE. J. Alexander
Origin: Mexico (Chiapas).
This has to be one of the smallest of the miniature members of this genus. This plant is seen here growing in a 2¾" (7 cm) square pot occupying one corner. At the time of writing the main stem is 20 mm tall !!! topped with a rosette 25 mm Ø containing up to 24 leaves, each 3 mm Ø x 10 mm long.
The plant branches at the base with small rosettes which gradually get bigger and spread to form a mat, each rosette of which, will flower next year (we hope). The inflorescence (raceme) up to 6 cm long, with up to 7 flowers, more in a good season.
Each flower consists of :-
Pedicel (stalk) up to 5 mm long.
Sepals spread up to 4.5 mm Ø.
Corolla (petals) 9 mm long x 4 mm Ø.
As it can be seen the photo's are highly magnified.
The plant is generally regarded as free flowering, if it survives the winter!

CULTIVATION:
Very difficult best in sandy well drained C&S compost with a little added slow release fertiliser. Growth in the summer is slow so do not repot until the plant really outgrows it's container. Keep in a semi - shaded position.
In the winter, conditions should be just enough water to stop drying out at a temperature of 8/12ºC, and good air circulation and light is essential.
As I have only one plant at present it will be kept in a heated propagator at 10ºC minimum until I have more plants to experiment with.

PROPAGATION:
No information is available as yet but I should think that division of the mat would be possible or cuttings if great care is taken.
Either method would be best done in late spring or early summer.

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