How to determine if "succulents" have entered dormancy?
Main text core guide: Experience with succulents, how to determine if "succulents" have entered dormancy? Let's take a look together.
1. Why do succulents enter dormancy?
This has been mentioned in other articles, mainly as a natural means for plants to resist harsh environments. The climatic conditions in the native habitats of most succulents differ greatly from those in China, especially in some native areas where winters are warm, summers are cool, or there are distinct dry and wet seasons. They often show dormancy in their native habitats. Cultivated in most parts of China due to environmental and climatic factors, they completely stop growing and survive by consuming the nutrients stored in their bodies. This phenomenon is very evident, which is referred to as "dormancy." Some species grow slowly during seasonal changes and show a small amount of growth when ventilated and shaded, these plants are called "semi-dormant."
2. How to determine if succulents have entered dormancy?
Plants usually show: no growth within the season, little change in appearance, slow response to water and fertilizer, shrinkage, and easy rot. Once the climatic environment changes (mainly temperature changes), they continue to grow. At this time, if there are no diseases or other factors, they enter a dormant state.
Dormancy is mainly judged based on cultivation experience. Personal growing factors often differ, resulting in different dormancy conditions. Plants that are dormant in the north often grow in the south. Adequate ventilation, cooling, or warming and humidification can prevent dormancy.
During the dormant period, it is necessary to continuously explore and improve planting experience. For example, Lithops fortunei enters summer dormancy in the Jianghuai region in June, while some species like Lithops pseudotruncatella and Conophytum wiggettae do not enter summer dormancy, which is discovered through cultivation.
However, it is often discovered only after losing plants, which is one of the reasons why it is important for everyone to communicate more.
Also, plants that enter dormancy in their native habitats usually do so. By collecting information, dormancy can be judged. Generally speaking, when the temperature exceeds or falls below the plant's growth and tolerance limits, dormancy is needed. This is also one of the reasons why it is important to understand some plant and classification knowledge about succulents.
For example, the native habitat and environment can tell us about the differences in cultivation environments. When there are changes in the environmental climate, we should pay attention to their changes to judge the dormant period; classification knowledge allows us to determine if other plants in the same genus or even the same family also have dormancy habits when we know that a certain species has such habits.
Therefore, in the cultivation process, we should be careful in such situations. It is easy to judge after experiencing one growing cycle and avoid unnecessary losses! For example, most succulents from southeastern South Africa and Madagascar enter dormancy. Pachypodium namaquanum, native to this area, enters dormancy. Should the same be true for the霸王树 (Pachypodium) of the same genus? You should pay attention. Through cultivation, we know that霸王树 is a semi-dormant plant. And as long as the temperature is not too high, it can still grow when ventilated and shaded. Therefore, botanical and classification knowledge is very important in the cultivation of succulents!
Some plants show almost no visible changes during dormancy, and even the growth points may turn green. We must be more careful and not be complacent or optimistic. We need to understand their growth habits first.
In summary, through continuous accumulation of cultivation experience and mutual learning, we can increase our knowledge in this area. It is precisely because of the beauty and unique appearance of succulents, as well as the differences and certain difficulties in their cultivation and planting, that they attract people, from curiosity and challenge, to pay attention to these unique plants! When you gain knowledge and experience from cultivation and watch them grow strong and healthy, it is the greatest satisfaction and enjoyment!
The introduction above on how to determine if "succulents" have entered dormancy is hoped to bring some floral knowledge to flower enthusiasts.