Discussion on the management of succulents in summer: temperature difference, watering, and substrate
For most women, the content about succulents, a brief discussion on the management of succulents in summer regarding temperature difference, watering, and substrate. If there are any mistakes, corrections are welcome!
There are always many aspects to pay attention to in the management of succulents in summer. The editor has listed a few important ones, let's discuss them together~
1. Temperature Difference
Many people overlook the role of temperature difference. Plants need a certain temperature difference to store energy and nutrients. Temperature difference is even more important for succulents. Because a large proportion of succulents only synthesize nutrients actively at night, this is the famous Crassulacean Acid Metabolism. After enduring the scorching day, the night is when succulents, represented by Crassula, are most active. Therefore, there needs to be enough temperature difference to remind these little spirits of the arrival of the night.
Some people raise succulents and deliberately move them to the office, so during the day it's only 20 degrees, and at night when people leave and the air conditioner is turned off, the temperature rises to 30 degrees. One can imagine how torturous this inverted temperature difference is for succulents. Of course, succulents can also perform photosynthesis during the day normally, but if the night temperature is not low enough, the plants cannot store the nutrients produced during the day and instead consume more. It's inevitable for the plants to weaken. A temperature difference of about 10 degrees is very ideal. If it's around 35 degrees during the day, try to keep it below 25 degrees at night, which will be very helpful for the plants.
2. Dry Period
Here, the dry period refers to the interval between two waterings when the potting soil is completely dry. In the growing season, a dry period of 1 to 2 days is suitable, and in the dormant season, 3 to 5 days is ideal. Why have a dry period? Succulents have a characteristic that I wonder if you've noticed. After being completely dry, sudden watering will cause them to grow rapidly. This applies to both mature plants, seedlings, and even seeds. When plants feel thirsty after being completely dry, a sudden thorough watering will cause the roots to burst out with a large number of new roots, all covered with thick white hair, allowing the plant to absorb enough water immediately.
This is the ability these desert spirits have evolved over time in the desert. In desert areas, the rainy season is very short, and if they don't react instantly when a rainstorm comes, the water will evaporate before they even wake up. This mechanism also becomes an excellent technique in the seeding of Lithops. That is, using very dry potting soil for seeding. After sowing the seeds, do not water immediately. Instead, continue to keep it dry for about a week, then choose an evening to water thoroughly, and you will be rewarded with a delightful and uniform germination rate. Between two waterings, please leave enough dry time for your succulent babies.
3. Watering
Generally, choose to water in the evening, as mentioned above, the plants are more active at night and can cope with a sudden increase in water. In the hot summer, if you were to be thrown into a swimming pool while asleep, you might drown. But when awake, it feels refreshingly cool. The same goes for plants, and they sleep even more soundly during the day. The heat retention of water is much higher than that of potting soil, so watering during the day can easily cause the potting soil to overheat, essentially boiling the plant. This can lead to catastrophic consequences.
Therefore, watering in the evening is best. There's a secret to watering, which is to water thoroughly. Water until it flows out from the bottom of the pot. The purpose of this is to bring enough fresh air to the roots. This is very important. Fresh air at the roots can help them breathe, and the weak electric current generated by metabolism helps the roots absorb nutrient ions from the substrate. Fresh air is as crucial as water!
4. Substrate
Nowadays, substrates are quite mature, and there are ready-made planting materials available online. Here are a few additions to consider.
1) Drainage: If, when watering, water leaks out from the bottom while being poured from the top, that indicates a good substrate. If the pot surface accumulates water and then slowly absorbs it, that's not good.
2) Fast Drying: If using peat, it must be very coarse-fibered peat with enough gaps for air, so it can dry faster. The standard for fast drying is that after watering, it should be wet but not damp after one night and completely dry in about two days. In short, all ratios and planting methods need to revolve around the central idea of fast drying. To achieve this, we have other ways to compensate, such as using ceramic pots instead of plastic ones, using shallow trays instead of deep ones, or adding more drainage materials at the bottom of the pot, etc. There's a lot for everyone to think about!
The above discussion on the management of succulents in summer, focusing on temperature difference, watering, and substrate, is brought to you. I hope you enjoy it!