Should I Remove the Withered Leaves at the Bottom of My Succulent?
A small experience on whether to remove the withered leaves at the bottom of a succulent is shared here. Let's understand this together.
Should I Remove the Withered Leaves at the Bottom of My Succulent?
While most withered leaves can fall off naturally, it is still necessary to clear away the faster-consuming thin leaves of older stems manually. Regular removal of withered leaves not only keeps the succulent plant clean and tidy but also promotes good ventilation, effectively preventing the accumulation of water due to withered leaves and poor ventilation, which could hide scale insects and lead to the breeding of other diseases and pests.
Benefits of Removing Dried Leaves from Succulents
The process of leaf consumption in succulents is also the natural lignification of the stems, slowly forming older stems. Although most withered leaves can fall off naturally, it is still necessary to clear away the faster-consuming thin leaves of older stems manually.
Regular removal of withered leaves not only keeps the succulent plant clean and tidy but also promotes good ventilation, effectively preventing the accumulation of water due to withered leaves and poor ventilation, which could hide scale insects and lead to the breeding of other diseases and pests.
Basic Principles for Cleaning Withered Leaves from Succulents
① Focus on the outer leaves that are basically dry or completely withered.
Such leaves do not require force; they can be easily removed with tweezers without causing obvious wounds.
② Do not pull the leaves that are not completely consumed with force.
Frequent shaking may injure the stem and possibly damage the roots. Additionally, leaves pulled off unnaturally can leave scars on the stem.
③ After a large-scale removal of withered leaves, it is not advisable to water immediately or expose to rain.
Controlling water and maintaining good ventilation at this time helps the wounds dry and heal quickly.
④ Dormant Succulents
In the midst of summer, it is normal for the outer leaves of dormant succulents to wither. There is no need for frequent or excessive cleaning. Some withered leaves can prevent excessive evaporation of water in high temperatures and protect the leaf heart.
⑤ Newly Purchased Succulents
Newly purchased succulents, especially clustering older stems, should have the bottom withered leaves cleaned as much as possible before potting to detect if they carry scale insects.
⑥ Removing Withered Leaves for Outdoor-Grown Succulents
Succulents grown outdoors should have all withered leaves thoroughly removed before the rainy season and before entering summer to prevent water accumulation and poor ventilation after rain, which can increase the chances of scale insects and black rot disease.
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