Echeveria 'Ratam' Crest

Echeveria 'Ratam' Crest is the crested form of the Korean cultivar 'Ratam', combining its characteristic powdery blue-green foliage and strong pink to red seasonal colouring with an unusual fan-shaped growth habit. Rather than developing only as a conventional rosette, the growing point broadens and produces numerous closely packed leaves along an expanding, often undulating crest.

An Unusual Crested Growth Form

Cresting, also known as fasciation, occurs when the plant's growing point develops laterally rather than maintaining the usual single, rounded growth point. As the crest expands, numerous leaves emerge along this broadened growth, creating the densely folded and increasingly complex structure characteristic of mature crested plants.

No two crests develop in exactly the same way. Young plants may begin with relatively compact crested growth, while older specimens can broaden, branch and develop increasingly irregular forms as the crest matures.

The conventional rosette form is also available as Echeveria 'Ratam', which displays the same characteristic foliage and seasonal colouring in its normal structured rosette form.

Blue-Green, Pink & Red Seasonal Colour

'Ratam' Crest retains the colour characteristics of the regular cultivar. Its fleshy leaves are predominantly powdery blue-green, with pink to red developing around the margins and pointed tips. Cooler conditions and other seasonal changes can intensify these colours considerably, bringing deeper crimson and purple tones through portions of the crested growth.

Because a mature crest contains numerous closely packed growing points, different sections can sometimes display varying degrees of colour at the same time. This can produce a complex mixture of frosted blue-green foliage, pink margins and deeper red or purple growth across the plant.

Powdery Farina

The foliage carries a natural coating of powdery white farina, giving the leaves their characteristic frosted appearance and softening the colours beneath. This coating is best left undisturbed, as handling can remove the farina and leave permanent marks on the foliage.

The tightly packed nature of crested growth also makes good airflow particularly important. When watering, avoid allowing moisture to remain trapped for prolonged periods within the dense folds of the crest, especially during cool or humid conditions.

Hardy & Easy to Grow

In our nursery we have found 'Ratam' to be a hardy and reliable Echeveria, and the crested form grows well under normal succulent conditions. Grow in a free-draining succulent mix with good airflow and plenty of light. Adequate light helps maintain compact growth and encourages stronger pink, red and purple colouring.

Plants should be acclimatised gradually when moving from protected conditions into substantially stronger light or intense Australian summer sun. Water thoroughly when required, allowing the growing medium to dry appropriately between waterings, and avoid continuously wet conditions around the roots.

Propagation & Maintaining the Crest

Crested plants can be propagated from suitable sections of established crested growth. Any cutting should include viable stem tissue and an active portion of the crest. Before planting, allow the cut surface to dry and form a firm callus, then establish in a free-draining succulent mix.

Crested plants can occasionally produce sections that return to normal rosette growth. These can be retained as part of the plant or removed if the aim is to maintain a predominantly crested form.

Echeveria 'Ratam' Crest plants for sale shown in 70mm pots. You will receive same or similar plants as those shown in images 2 onward. First image for display only. Colours and individual crest formation will vary naturally according to time of year, growing conditions and the development of each plant.