How to take care of succulents as the weather gets hotter
The editor brings you an introduction to how to care for succulents as the weather gets hotter and the detailed methods of caring for succulents in high temperatures in the field of green plants and flowers. Here is a detailed introduction below.
Succulents come in many varieties, with compact shapes suitable for small pots. Their cute, plump appearance is irresistible to anyone who loves flowers. In spring, the mild weather and suitable temperatures are ideal for succulent growth, and they enter a rapid growth phase.
However, after April, temperatures gradually rise, and most succulent varieties enter a dormant state due to high temperatures. Succulents in summer dormancy are very sensitive and vulnerable, and many succulents in flower enthusiasts' homes die in the summer. During the transition from spring to summer in April and May, remember to do three things for your succulents to help them safely survive the summer.
1. Keep the potting soil breathable
In summer, the weather is hot, there is a lot of rain, and the humidity is very high, making it easy for succulent roots to have problems. Especially for some enthusiasts who use plastic pots, glazed ceramic pots, or poor-quality soil, the potting soil's breathability is inherently poor. When faced with the闷湿 weather of summer, the roots of succulents often rot. After rotting, because the succulents are dormant, it's hard for the wounds to heal, and the entire succulent often dies.
Generally, enthusiasts change the pot for their succulents in spring. We can address the issue of poor breathability in the potting soil at this time, so that the succulents will be more comfortable in summer. When repotting, don't use too deep or too large pots. A new pot slightly larger than the original one is fine. The soil for succulents is also very important. To enhance breathability, it is recommended to add 50% particle soil to the soil, which can include red jade soil,珍珠岩 (perlite), diatomaceous earth, or kusamon soil. With breathable soil, succulent roots are less likely to rot in summer.
How to take care of succulents as the weather gets hotter
2. Maintain shading and environmental ventilation
After April, as the weather gets hotter, the sun's ultraviolet rays also become stronger. Although succulents love sunlight, they do not like intense exposure to the sun. Apart from a few varieties like姬胧月 (Girasole), the leaves of most succulents will be sunburned by the summer sun. Without proper shading, succulents can even be sunburned to death.
After April, we need to provide proper shading for succulents. First, avoid the intense sun at noon, and they can be exposed to sunlight in the morning or afternoon. By summer, to prevent sunburn, they need to completely avoid direct sunlight and place the pots in a cool, well-ventilated area with plenty of diffused light.
3. Control watering and prevent rain
Succulents are naturally very drought-resistant plants and require very little watering. Most succulent varieties are dormant in summer, with growth停滞 (stopping), and they consume very little water. If you water succulents frequently in the summer, they can't absorb that much water, and the excess water will accumulate in the pot, causing root rot. Therefore, when caring for succulents in summer, we generally need to control the watering. Only when the soil is completely dry and the pot is very light should we water; otherwise, there's no need to water.
Rainwater comes from nature, and the bacterial content in rainwater is much higher than that in tap water. Short-term exposure to rain is not a problem for succulents, but long-term exposure to rain can easily lead to bacterial infections. In hot summer weather, bacteria become very active, and if infected leaves are not treated promptly with medication, the pathogenic bacteria can spread, leading to large-scale leaf blackening, rotting, and waterlogging. Therefore, if there are several days of consecutive rainy weather in the summer, you should bring them indoors to protect them from the rain.
The above sharing on how to care for succulents as the weather gets hotter and the detailed methods of caring for succulents in high-temperature climates hope to serve as a starting point for solving your problems with green plants.