How to grow succulents to achieve a full pot
An introduction to answering netizens' questions about how to grow succulents to achieve a full pot and 6 techniques for making succulents thrive, with specific content as follows:
Previously, we discussed some tips for getting succulents to show their best colors, but some meat friends commented that they don't particularly like overly controlled growth and want the feeling of a full pot. Filled with joy and收获 (harvest), it's also a kind of beauty! Spring is the growing season for succulents and the easiest season for them to thrive. By doing a good job of caring for succulents in spring, a few simple techniques can make the succulents grow quickly and become denser.
1. Repotting. To make succulents thrive, the plants must first grow well, which means taking care of the roots first. "Taking care of the roots before taking care of the meat" is the most common saying. Because most of the roots of succulents are capillary roots, they can cause some roots to die during controlled growth, dormancy, or excessive watering. The new roots cannot grow well due to the obstruction of dead roots, which can lead to insufficient nutrition for the succulents and even cause僵 seedlings (dormant growth).
Therefore, if succulents haven't been repotted for a long time, it's necessary to prune the roots and repot the plants in spring, and choose a slightly larger pot according to the size of the succulent plant. Pruning can stimulate the rapid growth of the succulent's roots, while a slightly larger pot provides enough space for the roots to grow. With healthy roots, achieving a full pot is no longer difficult!
2. Watering. Watering succulents has always been a challenging issue. Too much watering can lead to etiolation or even black rot, while too little watering can affect the growth of the succulents. Therefore, mastering the rhythm of watering is really important. To make succulents thrive, the watering should be slightly more than controlled growth. Only when well-fed and hydrated can they quickly burst with lateral buds and achieve a full pot effect! Specific watering methods have been introduced in previous articles by Lao Xian Rou, so I won't elaborate here!
How to grow succulents to achieve a full pot
3. Fertilizing. To make succulents thrive, fertilizing is also crucial, as succulents need various trace elements for growth, which need to be supplemented through fertilizing. Spring is also the best time to fertilize succulents, and you can combine repotting and watering to supplement base fertilizer and slow-release fertilizer. Specific fertilizing methods have also been introduced in previous articles by Lao Xian Rou, so I won't go into details here!
4. Cutting the top. After ensuring the growth state of succulents, if they still don't burst with lateral buds, you need to consider whether it's due to breed reasons or use some techniques! Cutting the top is one of them. By removing the apical dominance of the succulents through cutting the top, you can stimulate them to quickly burst with lateral buds and achieve a full pot.
Relatively speaking, the scar from cutting the top will be larger, but the top that is cut off can be replanted to grow a new succulent. The scar from pinching the top will be much smaller and more natural. As for the choice, it depends on your own situation!
5. Plucking leaves. Compared to the above techniques, this one is much gentler. After removing the bottom leaves, the stem part is still tender, at which point there is a chance to produce bud points, thereby achieving the effect of a full pot. Especially for some etiolated succulents, after removing the leaves, the shape becomes more beautiful and it's easier to produce lateral buds. Even if no lateral buds are produced, it will gradually form the feeling of an old stem.