Succulent Plant Care Knowledge
Today, the editor will explain the content about succulent plants, including succulent plant care knowledge, which will definitely bring you help. Let's learn about it together!
There is already a lot of information about succulent plant care knowledge on the internet. The five most important points for keeping succulent plants healthy are: 1) Good soil mixture, 2) Correct watering time, 3) Moderate sunlight, 4) Suitable temperature, 5) Sufficient air circulation.
1. Soil mixture
1) Good drainage.
2) Absorb water well and allow air to reach the roots.
When the soil cannot allow air to reach the plant's roots, the roots will die and rot, and the rot will spread from the roots to the main plant body. This assumption can be resolved by adding some large, well-draining particles to the soil.
Good soil mixture:
1) 40% nutrients (such as peat, coconut fiber)
2) 60% drainage material (such as coarse sand, pumice, perlite, or gravel)
In addition, it is recommended to lay a layer of mulch on the plant to prevent soil splashing onto the bottom of the plant when watering and to improve soil permeability. It can also reflect sunlight to reduce heat transfer to the roots and prevent soil surface compaction.
2. Watering
The golden rule for watering succulent plants during the growing season is to water when the soil around the plant's roots is almost completely dry. However, many people are confused about whether plants enter the growing season in summer ("summer growers") or in winter ("winter growers"). Some succulent plants grow rapidly in winter when there is heavy rainfall, but in summer when it rains.
This may sound complicated to distinguish which plants will enter the growing season at what time in the wild. However, it is not as complex as it sounds, as most growing seasons are in spring and autumn.
The principle is as follows: "Summer growers" enter the growing season in spring and stop growing at the hottest time of summer, with a brief growth in early autumn before entering dormancy. "Winter growers" enter growth in autumn, stop growing at the coldest time, grow briefly in early spring, and then enter dormancy.
When plants are slightly dry during the growing season, it is usually a sign that they need water. In the dormant season, it is normal dormancy, and there is no need to worry about the dry epidermis.
3. Sunlight
A common misconception about succulent plant lighting is that they prefer as much direct sunlight as possible. However, this is not correct. In the wild, many small species grow under shrubs. Moreover, the photosynthesis of succulent plant stems (personally considered leaves) can be affected by direct sunlight. Many plants reduce the area of the stem surface exposed to direct sunlight due to phototropism.
This reminds me of transplanting plants outdoors. When transplanting, the same side of the plant faces the sun, and it is given an additional 50% area of shading until it is fully established.
4. Temperature
Most succulent plants grow better at daytime temperatures of 14 to 25 degrees Celsius and nighttime temperatures of 4 to 10 degrees Celsius. Note that the temperature should not be below 0 degrees Celsius, and even if it is below 0 degrees Celsius, it should not exceed one or two hours.
In the summer, daytime temperatures should be controlled between 25 to 38 degrees Celsius, and nighttime temperatures between 14 to 20 degrees.
Most succulents do not like nighttime temperatures above 24 degrees, and the number of succulents in such places will significantly decrease and disappear in the summer.
To understand this, one must understand the unique photosynthesis of succulents, called Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM), which is completely different from other plants. The stomata on the leaves and stems of succulents close during the day and open at night. Only in cool nights can they absorb carbon dioxide, which is extracted by the plant's organic acids, which can be described as a "delayed photosynthesis" because this action on carbon dioxide only occurs at night. This is why temperature and fresh air are also important at night.
5. Air Circulation
A well-ventilated environment is the most basic condition for growing succulents, as mentioned above, especially important at night. However, if succulents are grown in a closed greenhouse, installing fans to create a well-ventilated environment is very important.
This also means that most succulents cannot survive well on office desks and windowsills, although they are good indoor decorations. They may survive for a long time in such conditions, but this is a form of chronic death for the plants.
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