Echeveria “Doris Taylor” cristata – Nature`s Wander

Nature has its ways to amaze us with its creations. We usually get more amazed when it creates something unique, one of the kind. Succulent family is a canvas for nature to express its full creativity. As much as succulents come in a great number of shapes, let’s be real. There are slightly different ones that steal the show. One of them is definitely Echeveria “Doris Taylor” cristata.

Echeveria “Doris Taylor” cristata–  A Beautiful Mutation

This succulent is actually a crested form of Echeveria “Doris Taylor”. Unlike the original form, Echeveria “Doris Taylor” cristata has smaller leaves densely packed along the top of the crest. Echeveria “Doris Taylor” crests for many reasons. Some may be genetic, and others may be caused by some sort of damage to the growing tip. This happens when an insect nibbles the sensitive new growth or frost damages the growing tip. Therefore, the cells begin to divide more rapidly at the growing tip, causing fascinating whorls of fanlike growth tips.

Echeveria “Doris Taylor” cristata has pale, apple-green leaves covered in fine, white hairs. This makes a hole plant looks soft and fuzzy. Leaves are coated with a thick layer of cilia. Tips of the leaves may turn red if this plant is “happily stressed” with direct morning sunlight. Echeveria “Doris Taylor” cristata is a summer bloomer. It will send beautiful, showy, candy-red flowers. Flowering season is also a time when the hummingbirds will visit Echeveria “Doris Taylor” cristata often to feed on its nectar. If you decide to grow this succulent as a house plant or in a container generally, make sure that it has enough room to spread, as it will pretty quickly.

Grow and Care Tips

If you’re planting Echeveria “Doris Taylor” cristata in a garden, make sure it gets a well-draining soil. If your garden soil is clayish, add some sand or pumice in the planting area. When planting in a pot as an indoor plant or an addition to an arrangement, its best to use cactus soil mix to ensure weight and good drainage. Make sure that Echeveria “Doris Taylor” cristata has enough space to spread and not indanger other plants.

This succulent can withstand periods of drought, but it will grow faster and look much better if you water it regularly during the growing season. You`ll need to water Echeveria “Doris Taylor” cristata weekly from spring to summer and to give it less water during the colder months. One thing you should be careful with is the amount of water you’re giving to this succulent. Echeveria “Doris Taylor” cristata needs soil to be slightly moist, but not soaked. To encourage growth, you can add some mild fertilizer during the growing season.

Echeveria “Doris Taylor” cristata is a highly adaptable plant. However, it will thrive in balanced light conditions. Plant your succulent somewhere it can get few hours of morning sun or a short period of the afternoon sun. If you expose Echeveria “Doris Taylor” cristata to too much direct sunlight, it can result in the washed-out yellowish color of the leaves. On the other hand, too little sunlight gives relatively greener foliage and longer internodes.

When it comes to temperatures, this succulent can take some low ones. Its cold-hardiness can withstand frost down to 20 °F (-6.7 °C). Still, you want Echeveria “Doris Taylor” cristata protected from frostbites in order to stay colorful and healthy.

Echeveria “Doris Taylor” cristata will drop many of its lower leaves during a dormant, winter season. You should remove those leaves regularly from the base of the plant. With shriveled and rotten leaves that close to the roots, Echeveria “Doris Taylor” cristata can suffer some serious infection and damaged beyond repair.

Propagation

The easiest way to propagate Echeveria “Doris Taylor” cristata is from cuttings. You can collect stem cuttings under the lowest leaves, as they are the fastest to root. Just allow them to callus for a day or two before laying them on fresh soil. Continue to water whenever the soil is dried out.

As Echeveria “Doris Taylor” cristata is a crested form, if you choose to propagate from the seeds, you won’t get the same form of the plant. This is because the mutations won`t carry on to the next generation trough the seeds, so you’ll get a classic Echeveria “Doris Taylor” instead.

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