March Succulent Planting and Management
Introduction: This article shares experience in succulent plant care, focusing on the management of succulents in March. Let's take a look together.
In the sunny month of March, as temperatures continue to rise and day-night temperature differences increase, both "winter-type" and "intermediate-type" succulents that grow in spring and autumn enter their peak growing season. "Summer-type" succulents also begin to awaken and prepare for growth. At this time, do not rush to move the plants outside. Instead, open the greenhouse windows for ventilation to gradually acclimate the plants to the external climate, especially in the southern regions where the weather is clear and sunny. This is to prevent damage to the plants due to high temperatures in a small environment. However, in the northern regions, if there are cold fronts, late spring frosts, or significant temperature drops, it is still necessary to keep the windows closed to avoid frost damage to the plants.
March Succulent Planting and Management: Watering
For succulents that are currently growing, such as Crassula, Sedum, Echeveria, and Graptopetalum from the "winter-type" and Aloe vera from the "intermediate-type," it is important to keep the potting soil moist but not waterlogged, and it should not be too dry. For "summer-type" succulents like Agave, Aloe, and Euphorbia, some watering is appropriate but not excessive. If it rains or the temperature suddenly drops, stop watering. For the genus Lithops and Conophytum in the Mesembryanthemaceae family, which are in the蜕皮 (molting) stage, it is necessary to control watering, and it can even be completely stopped. If watering is necessary, avoid getting water on the plants to prevent rotting.
It is important to note that most people believe succulents grow in arid desert areas and are very drought-resistant, so they don't need much water in cultivation. While it's true that most succulents are drought-resistant due to their growth environment, being drought-resistant does not mean they like dry conditions. Most succulents still need water during their growing season. If they are drought-stressed for a long time, although the plants won't die, their growth will slow down or even stop, their leaves will become thin, their color will fade, they will lack vitality, and this will affect their ornamental value. Some plants, once rigid, are difficult to restore and may even die. Therefore, adequate water should be provided during the growing season to ensure normal growth, but never allow waterlogging. The principle of "water when dry and water thoroughly" applies to most common succulents. Watering should also be strictly controlled during the dormant period. Many failures in growing succulents are due to "itchy hands," meaning the inability to control the urge to water during the dormant period, leading to plant rot. Therefore, it is crucial to control the urge to water during the dormant period.
March Succulent Planting and Management: Fertilizing
Fertilizing most "winter-type" and "intermediate-type" succulents should be done every 20 days or so with a dilute liquid fertilizer or compound fertilizer, depending on the variety and growth condition. Fertilizing should be done on sunny mornings and care should be taken not to splash fertilizer on the plants. "Summer-type" succulents do not need to be fertilized.
March Succulent Planting and Management: Repotting
Repotting, as succulents are confined to pots in artificial cultivation, their roots cannot extend freely. After a period of growth, the roots fill the entire pot, which is not conducive to drainage and aeration. Moreover, the soil in the pot is limited, and after continuous absorption by the roots and repeated watering, the nutrients are depleted, and the soil changes from granular to powdery. Additionally, as roots absorb nutrients, they also excrete acidic metabolites, causing the soil to acidify. These conditions are not conducive to plant growth. Therefore, repotting and changing the soil is necessary after a certain growth stage. Depending on the variety and size of the plant, repotting is done every 1-2 or 3 years (some varieties may even be transplanted several times a year, which is known as "move to grow"). For most "summer-type" and "intermediate-type" succulents, repotting usually takes place in late March, and it is combined with division propagation.
Additionally, for "intermediate-type" succulents, cutting propagation can also be done this month. If the temperature is suitable, indoor seeding propagation can also be performed.
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