Hechtia

Family. Bromeliaceae.

Origin. Mexico.

Description. Hechtia is a perennial evergreen dioecious plant resembling aloe. The leaves are succulent, up to 30 cm long and 2 cm wide at the base, leathery, armed with brown spines along the edges, narrow and pointed, curved down, collected in a large rosette in a spiral, green, grayish green, sometimes orange-red colors on the top surface when exposed to intense light.

The lower surface of the leaves is densely covered with whitish or pale brown scales. A tall peduncle appears in spring on the side of the rosette. The flowers are collected in an inflorescence - a complex spike, inconspicuous, small, white, yellow, red or pink, divided into male and female.

Height. 30 - 50 cm, grows slowly.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

It can be kept all year round at normal room temperature, but in winter it is advisable to lower the temperature to 10 ° C. Unlike other bromeliads, hechtia easily tolerates coolness and even light frosts.

Lighting

Very brightly lit location with access to direct sunlight in the morning and evening hours.

Care

Remove old leaves from the base of the plant. 

Substrate

Requires well-drained, nutrient-rich soil consisting of equal parts well-rotted compost, coarse river sand (or pumice), or a ready-made mixture for cacti and succulents. 

Feeding

Liquid fertilizer in half the concentration monthly during the growing season.

Flowering time

Rarely blooms in cultivation. 

Air humidity

Tolerates dry air well, even in heated rooms.

Soil moisture

Water regularly in the summer, reduce watering in winter. The plant stores water reserves in succulent leaves and is resistant to drought. For irrigation, use softened water. 

Transplant

Plants are replanted in the spring every year, as they need fresh nutritious soil for good growth, and in addition, they do not like cramped pots. 

Reproduction

Propagated by division of adult plants, daughter rosettes and seeds. Daughter rosettes can be disconnected and replanted when they have reached one third of the height of the mother plant. Be sure to provide high humidity for a month after planting the rosettes. Cover the pots with a plastic cap or plastic bag. Fresh seeds germinate within just 14 days from the moment of sowing. Seed propagation is rarely used, since hechtia develop very slowly. 

Pests and diseases

Rots when overwatered. With insufficient lighting, plants slow down their development and the leaves become faded.

The most common harmful insects are aphids, scale insects and mealybugs. 

Note

The plant has thorns along the edges of the leaves - protect your hands when handling it.