Dear succulent lovers, are you also troubled by the black rot phenomenon of those cute succulent plants as I am? Today, let's talk about this topic and help you understand the causes of succulent black rot once and for all, so you can say goodbye to the trouble of black rot!
What exactly is succulent black rot?
First, you need to know that succulent black rot is actually a disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum. This kind of fungus loves to reproduce in high-temperature, high-humidity, and poorly ventilated environments. Once it invades a succulent, it will cause the crown or stem to soften, turn black, and eventually rot. Sounds scary, right? Don't worry, I will tell you why succulents get black rot disease and how to prevent and treat it.
So this is the cause of succulent black rot!
1. Improper watering: This is the most common cause of succulent black rot. Have you ever encountered this situation: after watering your succulents, the soil is always damp, as if it will never dry? This is overwatering, which leads to waterlogged soil, preventing the roots from breathing, and ultimately causing black rot.
2. Poor soil aeration: Succulents prefer well-aerated soil. If the soil is too heavy or the proportion of gritty soil is too low, it will lead to poor soil aeration, preventing the roots from breathing properly, and thus causing black rot.
3. High temperature: The suitable temperature for succulent growth is between 20-25°C. If the temperature is too high, it will cause the succulents to grow slowly, their resistance to decrease, and they become susceptible to black rot disease.
4. Poor ventilation: Succulents like well-ventilated environments. If they are kept in a confined space for a long time, it will lead to poor air circulation and increased humidity, providing a breeding ground for black rot fungus.
5. Pests and diseases: Besides black rot, succulents can also be troubled by other pests and diseases, such as scale insects. These pests and diseases will absorb the nutrients of the succulents, causing their resistance to decrease and making them more susceptible to black rot disease.
How to prevent and treat succulent black rot?
1. Control watering: When watering succulents, follow the principle of "dry rather than wet". Wait until the soil surface is dry before watering to avoid overwatering.
2. Improve soil aeration: Choose well-aerated soil, such as gritty soil and peat moss, and appropriately increase the proportion of gritty soil.
3. Maintain ventilation: Place succulents in a well-ventilated area and avoid keeping them in a confined space for long periods.
4. Prevent pests and diseases: Regularly check your succulents and deal with any pests and diseases in a timely manner to avoid infestation.
5. Timely treatment: If you find that a succulent shows symptoms of black rot, take measures promptly, such as cutting off the rotten part and disinfecting it with fungicides like Carbendazim.
Dear succulent lovers, now you should know the causes of succulent black rot, right? As long as we master the methods of prevention and treatment, we can keep our succulents away from the trouble of black rot and continue to accompany us through beautiful times! Keep it up!