Can succulents be exposed to sunlight?
An article provides detailed information about whether succulents can be exposed to sunlight and six techniques to make them thrive, let's take a look together.
Previously, I discussed some tips on how to make succulents thrive, but some friends left comments saying they prefer not to over-control their growth, desiring a full and bustling feeling. Filled with happiness and harvest, it's also a kind of beauty! Spring is the growing season for succulents, and it's also the easiest season for them to thrive. By doing a good job of caring for succulents in spring, a few simple techniques can make them thrive rapidly and become denser.
1. Repotting. To make succulents thrive, they need to grow well, which starts with healthy roots. "Caring for the roots first" is a commonly repeated phrase. Since most of the roots of succulents are capillary roots, they can die during controlled growth, dormancy, or excessive watering, and new roots cannot grow well due to the blockage of dead roots, leading to insufficient nutrients for the succulents and even causing the plant to become dormant.
Therefore, if succulents have not been repotted for a long time, it's necessary to prune the roots and repot them in spring, and choose a slightly larger pot based on the size of the plant. Pruning can stimulate the rapid growth of the succulent's roots, and a slightly larger pot provides enough space for the roots to grow. Once the roots are healthy, achieving a full pot is no longer difficult!
2. Watering. Watering succulents has always been a challenging issue. Excessive watering can cause etiolation or even rot, while insufficient watering can affect their growth. Mastering the rhythm of watering is really important. To make succulents thrive, watering should be slightly more than controlled growth. Only when well-fed can they quickly produce lateral buds and achieve a full pot! Specific watering methods have been introduced in previous articles, so I won't elaborate here.
3. Fertilizing. Fertilizing is also crucial for making succulents thrive, as they need various trace elements for growth. Spring is the best time to fertilize succulents, which can be combined with repotting and watering to supplement base fertilizer and slow-release fertilizer. Specific fertilizing methods have also been introduced in previous articles.
Can succulents be exposed to sunlight?
4. Cutting off the top. After ensuring the growth state of the succulents, if they still don't produce lateral buds, aside from considering breed reasons, some techniques need to be used! Cutting off the top is one such method. It removes the apical dominance of the succulent, prompting it to produce lateral buds and achieve a full pot.
Relatively speaking, the scar from cutting off the top will be larger, but the top can be rooted to grow a new succulent. The scar from pinching off the top is much smaller and more natural. The choice depends on your own situation.
5. Plucking leaves. Compared to the above techniques, this is gentler. After removing the bottom leaves, the stem remains tender, and there's a chance to produce bud points, achieving a full pot effect. Especially for leggy succulents, removing leaves can make the shape more beautiful and easier to produce lateral buds. Even if no lateral buds are produced, they will gradually form an old tree feeling.
There's also a technique of plucking leaves without completely removing them, allowing the leaves to stay connected to the stem. The leaves will produce small buds and grow together with the stem, similar to leaf propagation. However, this method requires a high level of precision, and even after many attempts, I've only succeeded once.
6. Bud stimulant. Using chemicals to stimulate the production of lateral buds to achieve a full pot. I've only heard of this method and haven't used it myself because I don't prefer to use chemicals.
The above content shares information about whether succulents can be exposed to sunlight and the six techniques to make them thrive, for reference by green plant enthusiasts, hoping to solve your problems in green plant and flower management.