Echeveria 'Perle von Nurnberg'

I love it when plant names are more poetic AND descriptive! 'Perle von Nurnberg' is the 'Pearl of Nurnberg'. Nurnberg is in the state of...Read More Bavaria. The word "perle" can also be a "drop" or "to appear in the form of a drop". Which describes the shaping of the leaves while perhaps the color of the leaves reminded someone of the SHEEN of a PEARL!

I have both E. 'Perle von Nurnberg' and E. gibbiflora 'Metallica' (was labeled as **'Metallica 2')
The plants are growing in 1 gallon nursery pots next to one another for several years. Receiving Identical Care! Both are easy and very attractive plants to grow! I am particular to the coloration and durability.

Here are my observations(subject to growing conditions etc):
1) The over-all growth is VERY different.
E. 'Perle von Nurnberg' produces a long clean trunk with one rosette. Little or no offsetting (none for me at this time).
E. 'Metallica' offsets and "pups" quite prolifically. Shed leaves root quickly. This gives a completely different look by naturally producing a colony of plants.

2) Slight differences in the leaves:
E. 'Perle von Nurnberg' has leaves rounded very similarly on the outside edge but on the INSIDE EDGE, LESS ROUNDED (gradual) tapering to the trunk attachment (more like a teardrop stretched out just a little). Over all the leaves have a narrower width to length ratio.
The leaves seem to hold more of a crisp pink line on the leaf edge. Seems to be less pink infusion into the leaf where the purplish color predominates. (see palm bob's description)
E. 'Metallica' leaves are definitely MORE ROUNDED on the INSIDE EDGE of the curve (abrubtly) tapering to the trunk (more like a 'fat' teardrop). So that the leaf is wider looking.
I frequently see more pink infusion especially in newer leaves...but only slight or absent on mature leaves.

**I am thinking that the nursery I got this from had both E. 'Metallica' and E. 'Perle von Nurnberg' as well and decided to call both of them 'Metallica 1 & 2'. Unfortunately that particular nursery (I will not mention any names) has mislabeled plants before. I received my E. 'Perle von Nurnberg' from a very reliable different source.

A lovely habit, beautiful colour, an unusual Echeveria, not sold as often as its glaucus blue 'brother'. Does best in sun, and in well d...Read Morerained soils. Prefers not to be bothered by frost but doesn't react harshly to light frost either.

A good tough plant.

From http://www.cactuscollection.com:

Echever...Read Moreia 'Perle von Nurnberg', one of the most beautiful of Echeverias, is a hybrid of Echeveria gibbiflora v. metallica and Echeveria potosina. Rosette to 6" in diameter of lovely pruinose violet pink with somewhat triangular leaves. Gracefully arching spike of delicate coral flowers during spring months. Excellent for windowsill culture or as color accent in rock garden or dish garden. In habitat, many Echeverias grow on rocky outcroppings at higher altitudes. In this habitat, the water drains quickly away from the roots of the plant, never allowing the plant to remain waterlogged. For this reason, it is essential in cultivation to use a very porous soil, which will allow quick drainage. Bright light is required to prevent "stretching" of Echeverias ("stretching" occurs when a moderately fast growing plant such as an Echeveria, is grown in dim light or over-fertilized, which causes overly lush growth that contributes to weak, pallid plants). Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch. Protect from frost.

My poor little plant somehow got uprooted and I found it on the ground below my balcony. I am 3 floors up, so I don't know if the wind di...Read Mored it, or a bird or squirrel. Anyhow, I re-potted the poor guy, and even though it was torn up pretty bad and only half the plant was left and very little root, it regrew to it's normal self very quickly (less than 2 months).