Succulents are loved by many gardening enthusiasts for their unique shapes and easy maintenance. Many enthusiasts find that their succulents only grow tall and not fat during the maintenance process, which is both intriguing and puzzling. Why do succulents only grow tall? This article will uncover this phenomenon and provide corresponding countermeasures.
Reasons for succulents growing tall1. Insufficient lighting
Succulents require a lot of light. If they are in an environment with insufficient light for a long time, the plants will stretch to get more sunlight, resulting in tall growth without fattening.
2. Improper watering
Too much or too little watering will affect the growth of succulents. Excessive watering can lead to root hypoxia, thus affecting the normal growth of the plant; too little watering will cause slow growth or even withering.
3. Improper fertilization
Excessive or unbalanced fertilization will cause succulents to stretch. Over-fertilization will make the plant grow wildly, while unbalanced fertilization will lead to uneven growth.
4. Plant variety characteristics
Some succulent varieties naturally tend to stretch, such as some Sedum species. Even with proper care, these plants may still show stretching.
Countermeasures1. Increase lighting appropriately
Place the succulents in a location with sufficient light, such as a windowsill or balcony. If conditions do not allow, use a plant growth lamp for artificial lighting.
2. Control watering
Reasonably control watering according to the growth stage of the succulents and weather conditions. In high summer temperatures, reduce watering frequency; in low winter temperatures, increase watering appropriately.
3. Fertilize moderately
When fertilizing, choose a growth fertilizer suitable for succulents, such as a special succulent fertilizer. The amount of fertilizer should not be excessive to avoid fertilizer damage.
4. Choose the right variety
If you want to avoid succulents stretching, you can choose varieties that naturally do not stretch, such as Echeveria and stonecrop.
5. Trim in time
For succulents that have stretched, trim them in time to remove the stretched branches and promote normal growth of the plant.
There are many reasons why succulents grow tall, mainly including insufficient lighting, improper watering, improper fertilization, and plant variety characteristics. Understanding these reasons, we can take corresponding countermeasures to ensure the healthy growth of succulents. The maintenance of succulents also requires patience and care. Only by mastering the correct maintenance methods can these lovely plants grow strong and healthy.