How to Determine When to Water Succulents
Let me share with you some knowledge about how to determine when to water succulents. Here are the details:
How to Determine When to Water Succulents
When watering succulents, you can touch the soil with your hand to feel its moisture level. If the soil is relatively dry, it's time to water. You can also touch the leaves; if they feel soft due to lack of water, it's time to water. There's no fixed schedule for watering succulents; you can judge based on the season and temperature. Generally, it's okay to water once a week.
Succulents prefer to grow in cool environments, and they thrive best in spring and autumn. However, it's important to control the amount of water; overwatering can easily lead to root rot. A little bit of moisture in the soil is enough to keep them healthy and robust.
How to Determine When Succulents Need Watering
1. Touch the soil: When watering succulents, touch the soil to feel its moisture level. If the soil is quite dry, it's time to water.
2. Touch the leaves: You can also touch the leaves. If the succulents lack water, their leaves will become soft. There's no fixed time for watering succulents; you can judge based on the season and temperature. Generally, it's okay to water once a week.
Watering Frequency for Succulents
In spring and autumn, you can water normally. If the weather is hot, the water in the soil evaporates easily, so you can water every 2-3 days. In winter and summer, when succulents are dormant and grow slowly, you can reduce the frequency of watering. In winter, you can water about once every 15 days, but in summer, when it's hot, you can water once a week, making sure not to overwater.
Watering Method for Succulents
The method for watering succulents is relatively simple and can be determined based on the climate. You can skip watering during rainy days. In dry seasons, you can use a small spray bottle to water thoroughly, but always use a misting method to ensure even distribution of water, which will help the succulents grow better.
How to Tell if the Water Has Penetrated the Soil
1. Toothpick Method
Insert a toothpick into the pot. When you want to water, pull it out and check. If there are no wet marks on the toothpick, it means the soil is completely dry and you can water the succulents. If the toothpick is wet, it means the soil is not dry yet, so don't water. Although this method is a bit rigid, it's very useful for新手 gardeners who struggle to master watering frequency.
2. Observation Method
This method mainly involves observing the lower leaves and their luster. If you find that the lower leaves are soft and wrinkled, and the entire plant lacks luster, it means the soil is completely dry and it's time to water immediately. If the leaves are hard and vibrant with a healthy shine, it means there is still moisture in the soil, so you should not water yet. Otherwise, the succulents might become flat or overly stretched.
3. Lifting Method
This method is suitable for gardeners with keen senses. After watering, lift the pot to feel its weight, then lift it again after it dries out. This way, you'll know if the soil is completely dry just by lifting the pot. This is very convenient, except for very large pots, where it's harder to determine if the soil is dry.
This article shares some explanations on how to determine when to water succulents, hoping it brings a bit of help to your life!