People often ask me if there's a succulent that maintains its color without stretching. Well, yes, there is! Today, let me introduce you to Echeveria The Next Gardener Red Soul, which perfectly fits the bill. Take a look at our Echeveria Red Soul in the garden:
True to its name, the red of Echeveria The Next Gardener Red Soul is like a burning flame, truly mesmerizing. It's said to be a hybrid of Echeveria agavoides v Romeo Rubin and Echeveria Tolimanensis, with waxy, slender, and sharp leaves. c Echeveria The Next Gardener Red Soul grows slowly and remains compact, so it doesn't easily stretch.
Interestingly, I've rarely seen it turn completely green. Here are some tips for caring for Echeveria The Next Gardener Red Soul:
1. Sunlight Requirements
I place Echeveria The Next Gardener Red Soul on an outdoor plant shelf, where it enjoys full sunlight most of the time. The red color tells me it's happy. Last summer, I forgot to shade one Red Soul, and when I found it, the leaves were scorched because they lacked farina protection. Learn from my mistake; don't expose it fully to the sun in summer. I recommend moving it to partially shaded areas, like a porch or indoor window sill.
Echeveria The Next Gardener Red Soul is easy to keep red. Just provide it with 4-5 hours of direct or indirect sunlight. This means you can't completely shade it; in full shade, it turns green, and the lower leaves droop. If you want more patterns on the leaves, consider giving it more sunlight, ideally 8 hours or more.
If you're attempting to grow Echeveria Red Soul indoors, grow lights can be beneficial. You might be wondering how to care for succulents with artificial lights.
2. Ideal Temperature
I've recorded the color changes of Echeveria The Next Gardener Red Soul over a year and found that it's deepest in color from late autumn to early winter (in California's Zone). So, if you want to see its fiery red color, consider moving it outdoors in autumn, as lower temperatures significantly affect succulent color change.
However, remember that Echeveria succulents are not cold-hardy. The ideal temperature range is 5-15°C. Don't expose them to freezing temperatures for extended periods. Also, beware of high temperatures; when summer temperatures exceed 35°C, promptly move them indoors or to shaded outdoor areas.
3. Watering
We always talk about following the "Soak and Dry" method for watering succulents. If you're unsure how to water Echeveria The Next Gardener Red Soul, here's what I do:
● Before watering, I usually pinch the bottom leaves of Echeveria The Next Gardener Red Soul. If they feel a bit soft, it needs water.
● I pick up the succulent pot and feel how light it is. If it's significantly lighter, the soil is completely dry.
● During spring and autumn, I water thoroughly until excess water drains out of the pot.
● In summer, I water sparingly every 15 days, using a squeeze bottle to water around the plant 2-3 times.
● Keep the Area Well-Ventilated After Watering
When watered correctly, Echeveria The Next Gardener Red Soul thrives year after year. If you notice its leaves turning transparent or constantly shedding, it might be due to overwatering, leading to root rot. Check out this blog for tips on rescuing overwatered succulents.
4. Repotting Echeveria The Next Gardener Red Soul
Whenever I receive succulents via online delivery, I love repotting them—it's such a gratifying task, you know? After unpacking, I let them rest on my window sill for 2 days. Then, I prepare a mix of succulent potting soil and gritty rocks in a 1:1 ratio, ideal for young succulents, and plant them in pots with drainage holes.
As succulents outgrow their pots, I enjoy repotting them into larger ones, typically 1.5 times the size of the plant. For mature succulents, I mix potting soil and perlite in a 3:7 ratio to enhance drainage.
I rarely fertilize Echeveria The Next Gardener Red Soul, but if you're interested in fertilizing succulents, check out this blog on how to do it properly.
5. Pests and Diseases
Echeveria The Next Gardener Red Soul might attract mealybugs, but I don't consider it a major issue. With proper control, a small infestation won't threaten my garden. When I spot mealybugs, I simply crush them with tweezers.
You might wonder: How do you use neem oil to repel mealybugs?
6. Similar Succulents
Old friends might mistake Echeveria The Next Gardener Red Soul for Echeveria Psyche or Echeveria agavoides v Romeo Rubin. Let's compare:
Echeveria Psyche: Compared to Echeveria The Next Gardener Red Soul, it leans more towards orange in color.
Echeveria agavoides v Romeo Rubin: Leaves are broader compared to Echeveria The Next Gardener Red Soul and lack dark markings.
In Conclusion
I totally get the concern; after all, bringing home colorful succulents only to see them fade can be disheartening. I hope these care tips for Echeveria The Next Gardener Red Soul reignite your interest in succulents!
