Experience in Planting Succulent Plants
Introduction: This article provides an introduction to succulent plants, shares planting experiences, and more - continue reading below!
Common mistakes in succulent plant care often include the belief that succulents should not be watered too much, and that watering should be done sparingly. People with this view quickly move their plants indoors when it rains, worrying about them getting wet. The root cause of this thinking might be compacted soil that does not drain well.
Key to Care: If we follow this line of thought, we might conclude that the key to caring for succulents is water, but this is incorrect. In reality, the key to caring for succulents is not water, but soil. No matter what materials are used for mixing, they should be permeable and allow air flow. For example, a mix of 6 parts garden soil and 4 parts medium-coarse yellow sand, with a bit of base fertilizer added, is ideal. Using this type of soil for potting succulents, overwatering is not a problem, and rain is not an issue, even during the plum rain season. Here are some reminders: 1. Do not press the soil too hard when potting. 2. newly potted succulents should be watered with a spray bottle or by pouring water onto your hand, allowing it to flow gently into the pot, and if there is light rain recently, that's even better. This ensures good water permeability and air flow in the soil. 3. Over time, if the water permeability and air flow decrease, it is necessary to loosen the soil, preferably by repotting. 4. If planted in a ceramic pot, place a layer of broken bricks at the bottom to enhance water permeability and air flow.
Details of Care: Take watering as an example. The general rule is to water only when the soil is dry and to water thoroughly when doing so. For succulents, "dry" means waiting for the soil to be completely dry inside and out during the growing season before watering, and watering generously. However, this alone is not enough; attention should also be paid to the following details: 1. How much water to give. Water more during the growing season, let them get rained on during rainy days; water less during the summer dormancy period, and generally do not water at all below 0°C in winter dormancy. 2. How to water. Water overhead during the growing season when temperatures are high, and it's better if it can simulate "artificial rain." When temperatures are lower during the growing season, water the soil. Never water the plant when it's around 0°C. 3. Water early in the morning during hot summers (around 35°C), not at night, and certainly not in direct sunlight. 4. For species that require high humidity, spray several times a day to increase air humidity and moisten the stems and leaves.
Care Space: The best care space for succulents during the growing season should be nature, and the more open the space, the better. A rooftop with ample sunlight, good ventilation, rain, and the nourishment of autumn dew results in fewer pests and diseases, and succulents thrive. Of course, the care space should have relevant facilities, such as black nets. Black nets can shade succulents during the hot summer, shortening the dormancy period. In addition, enclosed balconies and plastic greenhouses are suitable for winter care, also shortening the winter dormancy period. Shorter dormancy periods mean faster growth and earlier shaping.
Special Care: Many people have difficulty getting through the "summer" and "winter" periods with potted succulents. Special care during the summer and winter dormancy periods involves various aspects, including moving the plants in and out. 1. Always pay attention to the weather forecast (temperature and frost), and delay moving the plants indoors in winter as much as possible. 2. Move them out in spring, usually around Qingming (Ching Ming) Festival, but not too early. 3. Most succulents stay indoors in a warm room all winter. Do not open the windows randomly, and do not move them outdoors on warm days to bask in the sun. 4. A few succulents are suitable for moving in and out. For example, with sufficient sunlight, cacti can be moved out during the day and back in at night, making their agate red color more translucent.
Special Care: Succulents have commonalities and individualities. Caring for their individualities is special care. For example, the special care for String of Pearls is pruning to encourage colorful new leaves, while for Echeveria it is frequent repotting to allow one plant to grow large and beautiful. Different care for the same species under different lighting conditions can lead to different growth patterns. Comparison may provide inspiration for what to do next. For example, String of Bananas can be allowed to grow in a low-light area until it becomes tall and droops, then moved to a well-lit area to become thicker and stronger, still hanging, and flowering at the edge. The birth of this new shape is the result of separate care.
Targeted Care: Most succulents have distinct characteristics, reflected in their roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, spines, and fur. Some can even change color or shape, creating an overall beauty. Faced with such succulents, we should have a clear cultivation goal, and all care should be aimed at achieving this goal. For example, one of the goals for String of Horses is to shape an overall natural hilly landscape. Another example is that one of the goals for Sedum is to bloom a "dandelion" flower at the edge of a cliff. Innovative thinking based on targeted care can further highlight unique features. For example,逆思 (reverse thinking) in the cultivation of Firecracker Plant has innovative elements.
This article shares the full content of the experience in planting succulent plants, hoping it is helpful to green plant enthusiasts!