How to help succulents survive the winter and how to care for them
This article provides readers with knowledge on how to care for succulents during the winter. It introduces specific methods on caring for succulents in winter as follows:
1. Watering. It's crucial to water succulents properly in winter. Generally, when the temperature is below 10 degrees Celsius, they should not be watered as frequently as in spring and autumn. If the temperature is below 10 degrees Celsius or even around 5 degrees, watering should be reduced because some succulents may enter dormancy. In winter, water succulents every 15-20 days and check the moisture of the potting soil before watering. When the temperature reaches about 0 degrees, stop watering and let them dry out.
2. Temperature. The suitable temperature range for succulents is 5-28 degrees Celsius. If the night temperature drops below 5 degrees, they should be moved indoors or protected from frost in other ways. In case of a sudden temperature drop, move the succulents indoors regardless of their cold tolerance. If there are many succulents and there isn't enough space indoors, a simple shed can be covered with insulation film to keep them safe even in temperatures below minus ten degrees.
3. Lighting. If succulents are kept in a closed balcony or a greenhouse during winter, they still need light. Uneven lighting can cause them to stretch. Therefore, succulents should be placed in a well-lit area or moved around to ensure that each branch and leaf receives adequate and uniform light.
4. Fertilizing. When the temperature is low in winter, succulents basically stop growing and their demand for nutrients is minimal, so it's not suitable to fertilize them. Fertilizing in a low-temperature environment can easily cause fertilizer burn. If there is heating at home or the succulents are in a tropical area and still growing vigorously in winter, it is still necessary to fertilize appropriately to promote growth.
5. Pruning leaves. This mainly involves removing the old leaves of the succulents, which can improve the ornamental value of the whole plant. Cleaning the old leaves from the bottom of the succulents also helps the stem age and develop into a more valuable old stake. Moreover, dried or severely wilted old leaves can breed germs and affect the growth of the entire plant, so they should be cleaned up.
The above knowledge on how to help succulents survive the winter and care for them during the cold season is shared in the hope that this article can provide you with some help!