by Gabby
(Nashua, NH)
here he is!
Well, I bought Calvin at Home Depot for about two dollars today (February 13) with no tag. His leaves are a silvery green, getting more silver as you go closer to the base of the stem and greener getting farther away.
They seemed to tear off easily, especially the ones at the base. I don’t even know if it’s fair to call them “leaves”- like with most succulents, they’re thickish and juicy. They’re more pointy then round, they point at the tip, and they’re widest part is right after the tip.
The most interesting part of this plant is that he seems to have a droopy stem with a dead bud of a flower at the end. The petals inside are a very pale yellow, and dry – they all fell out when I tried to open the bud.
It has the standard shape, fatter at the bottom and smaller with wider spaced leaves at the top. I don’t have a ruler so I can’t be exact with measurements but I’d say it’s about three inches high and five wide.
Comments for Calvin
Feb 13, 2010
Aha!
by: Jacki
I think Calvin needs gently nudging into a more brightly lit area, as he’s a bit pale.
For identification, I’m leaning towards x Graptoveria, which is a cross between Graptopetalum and Echeveria. I say this because you indicate that the leaves tend to fall off, which is a characteristic of x Graptoveria, and any others with either Graptopetalum or Pachyphytum in their background. There are many different ones in the trade, and they’re very difficult to really identify them. Post a picture of it when it blooms again, as that sometimes will make it easier.
As the flower stalk is damaged, you can prune it off at the base, and the plant will bloom again once it recovers from being in the dark.
You’ve got a winner!
Jul 08, 2010
Echeveria?
by: Surroundx
My guess is Echeveria ‘Golden Glow’, quite an inappropriate name since it is a beautiful green colour.
Jul 10, 2010
Not Echeveria ‘Golden Glow’!
by: Surroundx
Seeing a Golden Glow in person, I would like to retract my guess. The photograph I used to make the initial identification was misleading.
Jul 10, 2010
You’re not alone
by: Jacki
It is incredibly difficult to positively identify these guys; not only are they variable in size and shape depending on where they originated and the care they received, they differ in response to the light levels, warmth, soil, chemicals in the water, fertilizer and so on.
As long as the rules are followed for care (thorough watering, allowing to almost dry out between; twice in the summer light fertilizing, none in winter; and warm bright conditions) most succulents will thrive.
Jul 12, 2010
Unfortunately
by: Gabby
Calvin has died. I suspect he drowned- he was out in a rainstorm without me knowing. I appreciate all the suggestions however- thank you all!
Jul 12, 2010
Obituary for Calvin
by: Jacki
Gabby, I’m sorry to hear that Calvin is no longer with us – I hope this won’t sour you on getting on with your life with succulents!
Maybe someone else will benefit from this sad tale, and not leave their succulents out in a rainstorm…
