February Succulent Planting and Management
A comprehensive introduction to the knowledge of succulent plants, focusing on the planting and management of succulents in February. The following is an introduction by the editor of this site.
In February, with the arrival of spring, temperatures will gradually rise, but there will be a significant difference in temperatures between the north and south. The south may gradually warm up, while the north is still in冰雪 conditions. Even in the same region, temperatures can vary greatly at different times. For instance, Xiamen had temperatures above 20℃ not long ago, but now they have dropped below 10℃. Such fluctuations in temperature are undoubtedly not good for succulent plants.
Therefore, the management of succulents in February should be based on the different climatic conditions of various regions and individual cultivation environments. In the northern regions, continue to follow the succulent management methods from January. Here, we focus on the management of succulents in the southern regions. In the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, daytime temperatures can reach 10℃-15℃, and if the weather is clear, they can reach over 20℃ in a warm greenhouse. Nighttime temperatures are around 3℃-5℃, but temperatures are still unstable, with frequent cold spells. It is important not to move the succulents outdoors or rush to open the greenhouse because the cold wind can cause them to "catch a cold". Also, maintain stable temperatures and prevent rapid fluctuations. Be careful to prevent condensation from dripping onto the succulents, which can cause rot.
When watering, winter and intermediate-type succulents can be watered moderately in the morning when the weather is sunny, while summer-type succulents should still have their watering controlled. When watering, be sure to control the water temperature, preferably matching it with the ambient temperature.
In February, it is generally not necessary to fertilize. In warmer environments, some stone flowers begin to molt and should be given more sunlight while strictly controlling watering, or even completely stopping watering to allow the old leaves to dry up, which is beneficial for the growth of new leaves.
In February, you can also prepare materials such as pots and soil mixtures for succulents in preparation for repotting in March. Here is a brief introduction to the pots and soil mixtures used for planting succulents.
The main types of pots used for planting succulents include clay pots, plastic pots, purple sand pots, and ceramic pots. Clay pots have good breathability and are inexpensive, although they are fragile, they have a kind of rustic beauty and are increasingly being used by more people. Plastic pots are diverse, lightweight, and not expensive, but they are less popular due to their poor texture and tendency to degrade over time. Ceramic pots are exquisitely beautiful, decorative, and moderately priced, making them a favorite among enthusiasts, especially the square and dish shapes. However, due to their poor breathability, they must be planted with a granular soil with good breathability to achieve good results.
Purple sand pots are simple and elegant, with good breathability but higher prices, suitable for planting more ornamental and valuable succulents. Currently popular succulent arrangements are suitable for using shallow, large pots, and enthusiasts can choose different materials and shapes according to their specific circumstances.
Succulents require a soil with a certain particle size, loose and breathable, good drainage, and containing a certain amount of decayed matter, a little limestone, and neutral or slightly acidic (some varieties can be slightly alkaline). Common materials include peat, grass charcoal, coal slag, sand, perlite, as well as red jade soil, blue stone, and planting stone. Currently, enthusiasts commonly use granular materials like red jade soil and blue stone mixed with grass or peat to plant high-end varieties such as the "King Kong Plant," "Jade Fan," and "Shou" types of succulents.
The above explanation about succulent planting and management in February is hoped to bring a little help to your life!