Summary of Care Methods for Crassula Succulents
An in-depth introduction to succulents for netizens, a summary of the care methods for Crassula succulents, let's take a look together.
Crassula succulents are deeply loved by enthusiasts for their unique charm. How to grow them well is a concern for Crassula lovers. The following six points are very important for the daily care of Crassula, many of which are summarized by the author from taking care of their own garden and greenhouse.
1. Sunlight and shading for Crassula care
In the natural habitats of Crassula, intense sunlight is very limited. It is not difficult to simulate such an environment under artificial conditions, especially when living in temperate regions with a greenhouse. Only a few Crassula plants can tolerate high temperatures, so shading is required when the temperature rises. In hot summers, avoid scorching afternoon sun if you want to grow them outdoors.
2. Ventilation for Crassula care
In natural environments, wind can cool the sun-heated soil surface, and the effect is significant. Therefore, ventilation is very important, but greenhouses find it difficult to simulate natural wind. Stagnant air and high humidity are a fatal combination for Crassula, and many Crassula plants rot from the inside out due to fungal infections. High temperatures and stagnant air can also easily cause pest problems, such as an outbreak of scale insects.
3. Watering for Crassula care
Attentive growers may notice that some succulents grown outdoors look excellent during the rainy season, and the reason lies in the watering. The tap water we use daily often has a pH value around 7.8, while the pH value of rainwater is between 5.5-6.5, which is the pH level Crassula prefers. Improving our watering is simple.
Firstly, determine the pH value of the water source
The first step is to test the pH value of the water source. You can purchase an electronic tester that can calibrate the pH value for different solutions. Of course, you can also use pH test strips to initially determine the pH value of the water. If the water pH is too high or too hard, it is difficult for the plant roots to absorb. For reference, rainwater is usually slightly acidic, with a pH value between 5.5 and 6.5.
Next, adjust the pH value of the irrigation water to 5.5
You can add white vinegar to the drinking water used daily to lower its pH value. Only a small amount of white vinegar should be added at a time, and after each addition, stir the water in the bucket to accurately measure how much vinegar is needed to adjust the water pH to 5.5. The mixed water should be used as soon as possible, as the pH value will slowly rise. Therefore, it's best to mix as much as you need.
Lastly, you can add ammonium sulfate
Ammonium sulfate is a widely used fertilizer in agriculture that helps maintain plant root health and improve the ability of roots to absorb water and nutrients. We are accustomed to adding two tablespoons of ammonium sulfate to 114 liters (30 gallons) of water. First dissolve the ammonium sulfate in 1 liter of water, then mix this 1 liter into the water bucket and stir well. Ammonium sulfate is usually a crystalline substance and is very inexpensive. The concentration of ammonium sulfate used as a fertilizer is higher, but it contains only nitrogen, not phosphorus or potassium.
According to the author, the difference is very noticeable after just a few weeks, the plants look stronger, have abundant energy to bloom, and are more resistant to pests.
4. Substrate for Crassula care
The medium in the author's garden is a mix of 50% garden soil and 50% pumice (simply understood as 50% peat soil/nutrient soil and 50% particle soil) to improve soil drainage, with red volcanic stones used as mulch to reduce the evaporative effect of sunlight and prevent rapid water loss. In the greenhouse, we use 30% peat and 70% pumice with large-grain granite sand as mulch. The author does not recommend using pure garden soil, as it is too rich and can cause plant elongation.
5. Fertilization for Crassula care
Fertilizing succulents can easily cause them to elongate and deform. According to Kelly Griffin, a succulent grower in San Diego, a 10-20-20 nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer must be diluted five times before application, or a similar concentration of fertilizer, not to be used more than twice a year to avoid elongation.
6. Pest control for Crassula care
The word "pests" is a nightmare for every Crassula enthusiast. The best option is systemic insecticides, which can be absorbed through the plant's roots, giving the plant spontaneous resistance to insects.
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