How to mix soil for succulents in the northern regions. How to prepare soil for succulents in the north.

How to prepare soil for succulents in the northThe editor will talk about some topics related to succulents, such as how to prepare soil for succulents in the north, and the editor will explain in detail for you.For experts, the preparation of soil for succulents is very important, as different regions have different climatic environments, so the soil preparation needs to take the environment into proper consideration. Some flower friends have asked about how to prepare soil for succulents in the north, so let's take a look at the soil preparation of a northern flower friend.The author is located in Jinzhou City, Liaoning Province, has loved flowers for more than ten years, been exposed to Sedum for 4 years, and has been in the hobby for 2 years. The highest temperature in the local summer is 37 degrees, and it is generally considered a limit at 35 degrees. From November to March of the following year, the lowest temperature is minus 18 degrees, and minus 15 degrees is usually the extreme. The climatic characteristics are less rain in summer, more wind in spring, a brief autumn, and significant temperature fluctuations.My breeding conditions are in an outdoor window sill and an 8-square-meter small platform in winter. I prefer large lotus seats, like the European ones, and I also like large clusters. I am indifferent to small, cute ones.Here are some of my breeding experiences for everyone to share and correct.1. Soil and potsMany new friends are troubled by this, but not the experienced ones. Why? Because experts understand that pots, soil, water, fertilizer, environment, and plants are interrelated and unified. It is meaningless to focus on just one factor alone. For example, if the pot is very permeable, then it is fine to have fine-textured soil; if the soil is coarse-grained with a small amount of fine particles, then frequent watering is necessary; if the soil has a higher proportion of organic matter such as peat, then less fertilizer is needed; if it is well-ventilated when growing in the open season, then generous water and fertilizer can be provided; and so on. Of course, beginners lack knowledge and should still operate conservatively.I prefer coarse clay pots, first because they are permeable, and second, since my soil mixture has more perlite, the clay pots can ensure stability in open-air cultivation and not be overturned by strong winds.My soil mixture is coarse perlite, northeast pine needle soil, and limestone debris, with a volume ratio of about 5:3:1, plus a small amount of charcoal, activated carbon, and nutshells.2. WateringI like to water a lot and will treat different seasons, different potting soils, and different plants differently. In the off-season, I water around the edges of the pot every 10 days. In the growing season, it may be every 5 days with a lot of water. For water-loving varieties like Echeveria, the frequency is increased.3. FertilizingI prefer liquid fertilizers, about once every two weeks in the growing season. When watering, I mix in homemade fruit vinegar, homemade EM liquid, biogas liquid, calcium carbonate (a trace element mixture), potassium dihydrogen phosphate, superphosphate, urea, etc. I call this the cocktail fertilizing method. Of course, I also use a little controlled-release granular fertilizer.4. MedicationEven if there are no visible pests or diseases, proper medication is still necessary. I use insecticides and fungicides mixed with water to drench the roots about once every two months. The insecticides mainly used are abamectin and pymetrozine, and the fungicides mainly used are carbendazim. In winter indoor cultivation, fungicides are used more frequently.5. Sun shading, rainproof, and frost protectionThe local summer sun can be scorching. I feel that 33 degrees is a limit in my area; if it is below 33 degrees, there is no need for shading, and if it exceeds 33 degrees, shading is necessary for varieties that do not tolerate direct sunlight.The local area is the Liaoxi arid region, with few consecutive rainy days, so rainproof is not a problem.In spring and autumn, frost prevention is a big issue. The low-temperature season is the golden season for Sedum, and I don't want to give up open-air cultivation but also need to prevent catastrophic frost. It's a dilemma. My experience is that most Sedum varieties can survive temperatures as low as minus 5 degrees, and a few varieties like Sempervivum can tolerate minus 8 degrees.How to prepare soil for succulents in the north6. Pollination and breedingTo ensure that Sedum can bloom simultaneously, they should be grown in the same environment, which can facilitate successful hybridization. I like to use dental applicators as pollination tools. During the flowering period, attention should be paid to the health of the mother plants, which consume a lot of energy. If the mother plant is weak, the flower spike should be cut off to improve growing conditions and recover quickly.7. Seed sowing and seedling raisingI like to sow seeds in spring when they are fresh. After two months of seedling growth, they are relatively safe during the summer. The sowing soil is a mixture of peat soil, meadow soil, coconut bran soil, vermiculite, and fine perlite, basically in equal proportions. Before sowing, the soil is disinfected with carbendazim mixed with water. The seeds are sown on the soil surface without covering, placed in a bright indoor area, and seedlings emerge in about a week. It is important to maintain alternating wet and dry conditions, exercise strong seedlings, provide sufficient light, and prevent etiolation. Pesticides should be used appropriately to prevent pests in the pot.8. Cultivating old stemsOld stems are beautiful, but one should not rush the growth. Some people make old stems by breaking leaves, but such old stems lack character and are not worth imitating. Time is a magician, and with patience, natural surprises will occur with proper human intervention.The above is the complete introduction to how to prepare soil for succulents in the north, for everyone to learn and understand!