Caring for succulents in autumn and winter
Today's plant care experience revolves around succulents, focusing on the autumn and winter care for these plants. Below is a detailed introduction.
Succulents can generally be divided into three types based on their ecological habits: winter-growers, summer-growers, and spring-autumn-growers. Winter-growers dormancy in summer and grow in winter, while summer-growers do the opposite. Spring-autumn-growers dormancy in both summer and winter, growing only in spring and autumn.
In September, most succulents enter the second growth phase, so the soil should be watered thoroughly once it dries out. For summer-growers, reduce shading and ventilation but add fertilizers. Winter-growers should still be kept ventilated and watered.
When the rainy season of autumn arrives, some moisture-intolerant varieties and those from tropical regions should be protected from direct rain if their growth停滞s. September is suitable for sowing, grafting, and cutting. For varieties that bloom in winter, this is a good time for repotting, which differs from spring repotting in that there's no need for extensive root pruning.
In October, with abundant sunlight and large temperature differences between day and night, peonies and some Aizoaceae plants start blooming. The leaves of Crassulaceae plants begin to turn red.
Whether it's a summer-grower or a winter-grower, it's best to water thoroughly in the morning. Winter-growers need good ventilation to grow healthily. When the leaves of outdoor summer-growers turn yellow, they should be moved into a greenhouse.
In late October, as temperatures drop, some cold-sensitive varieties should be protected from frost damage. At this time, Lithops and Conophytum can be sown. In November and December, with dry air and shorter daylight hours, the main focus in caring for succulents should be on keeping them warm and increasing light exposure. For summer-growers in greenhouses, watering should be done in the evening. For Lithops and Conophytum that have finished blooming, this is a good time for division.
In December, the arrival of winter means that varieties with poor cold resistance should stop watering and take measures for insulation. Make use of sunny days for sunlight exposure and rotate the pots from time to time to ensure even sunlight. Insufficient light can be supplemented with artificial lighting.
January is the coldest month of the year.
However, the sunshine in late January is slightly stronger than in December. Winter-growers are growing vigorously at this time, so don't hesitate to water. When thawing plants, it's best to place them in the shade to defrost slowly, which is better than exposing them to sunlight. In late January, if the greenhouse encounters high temperatures, young seedlings may get sunburned. For Lithops and Conophytum, they may turn yellow or stop growing, so it's important to open the greenhouse windows or doors on sunny days to maintain air circulation.
By late February, there is a hint of spring. In warmer areas, young seedlings can be repotted, which is very beneficial for their growth. It's still best to keep medium and small seedlings and mature plants in a greenhouse from March to May.
The above introduces the methods for autumn and winter care of succulents, which can serve as a reference for everyone.