to rainfall, provided they are in a Mediterranean climate, they may obtain optimum moisture. In contrast, plants grown indoors or in greenhouses should be watered to ensure that the plant maximizes growth. During the dormant period, from late spring to fall, watering should be limited to bi-weekly intervals, but not completely cut out. In nature, plants may completely desiccate themselves during the dormant period. Deciduous members of the genus in the Hasseanthus grouping should not be watered at all during dormancy. Growing medium Growing mediums should attempt to imitate the preferred soil of each species in nature. The most essential element for the medium is good drainage. Good drainage is important, as Dudleya are very susceptible to mold and fungi. How quickly the medium drains should be determined by the amount of shade in the location, which affects the rate of evaporation that the soil will go through. Thus, well-shaded Dudleya must have excellent drainage. Fertilizers may be used to maintain good color and growth, but they should be diluted. Clay is preferable to plastic pots when growing the plants due to the advantages with water drainage. Plastic pots may also kill the plants by overheating the roots. Mealybugs and aphids are main pests of Dudleya. Powdery mildew has also been recorded in cultivated Dudleya. Shade The amount of shade a species of Dudleya requires is dependent on the location. Plants growing in coastal regions may require little shade at all, whilst plants growing in the deserts, inland valleys and mountains will require shade. The majority of plants in the genus will appreciate north-facing sites and shade during the heat of the day. During the summer months, 50% shade may be beneficial for plants. If a cold-tolerant Dudleya is grown during a freeze or snow, it should be shaded as not to damage the plant, as a quick thaw may be detrimental. Propagation Unlike their related genera Echeveria, many Dudleya cannot be propagated through leaf cuttings. Propagation is mostly achieved via offsets, germination by seed, or in nurseries, plant tissue culture. Sexual reproduction Dudleya seeds are crescent shaped and near-microscopic, and can be collected by taking the dried flower buds and crushing the ovules inside, which can contain hundreds of seeds. Seeds can be sown into a soilless medium, such as pumice or vermiculite, after which germination can occur within a week to 10 days. Asexual reproduction Vegetative reproduction may