How to care for Crassula plants
A knowledge of life, introducing how to care for Crassula plants and the key points of Crassula plant maintenance. Keep reading!
Most of the succulents on the market today are Crassula plants. Do you understand how to cultivate Crassula succulents? Today, let's learn how an experienced plant enthusiast grows Crassula plants!
Methods for cultivating Crassula succulents:
1. Sunlight is the best fertilizer. All Crassula plants in good condition are sunbathed. However, if the plants are not exposed to sunlight for a long time, they should not be suddenly exposed to strong sunlight, as it may cause damage. The plants need to gradually adapt to the environment.
2. It's best not to buy succulents online during the summer, especially rootless ones, because many dormant plants do not root easily. Newly potted succulents should not be exposed to strong sunlight and should be placed in a shaded and well-ventilated area to grow roots before gradually moving to normal maintenance.
3. It's best not to expose young plants to the elements because their root systems are not well-developed. Fast evaporation of soil moisture in windy conditions can lead to slow growth, and extreme weather conditions like excessive sun exposure or heavy rain can cause damage or death.
4. If the price difference is not significant, it is recommended to buy locally in greenhouses or markets to reduce the risk of poor root development and the process of re-rooting. When bringing potted plants home from greenhouses or markets, it's best to change the soil or soak them with a pesticide, as they may contain insects or eggs.
5. An experienced grower summarized the summer survival tips: High temperature but not high humidity, high humidity but not high temperature. This is solid advice, and many of my plants have rotted due to this. The best time to water in summer is at sunset, choosing to water on the next day when it's overcast and the temperature is not high. It's best to immerse the pot without fully soaking it, and after a night of drying, the risk can be minimized.
6. Do not use sharp-edged materials like volcanic rock or pumice as mulch, as excessive watering can lead to leaf damage, rot, and even black rot.
7. Choose a pot larger than the spread of the plant's leaves. This provides the roots with ample space for growth and improves air circulation, reducing the chances of black rot. It also avoids the need for frequent potting, which can damage the roots.
8. High humidity in greenhouses allows Crassula leaves to absorb water for survival, which doesn't require high soil quality. However, for home care, especially outdoor care, using a mix of granular soil to retain water and nourish roots is beneficial. Pure peat or coconut shell soil dries out too easily and is not suitable for outdoor care. I don't recommend pure granular soil because new roots struggle to adhere to large gaps, although this may vary in humid southern climates and during the hot and humid summer.
9. Don't be too obsessed with the color and shape of the succulents. The "bundled" appearance is often a result of long-term water deprivation and dormancy, and the color may also be due to stress or chemical use. It's normal for the color to fade and the plant to spread out after potting.
10. Understand the habits of succulents. Many are dormant in summer and should be placed in a shaded, well-ventilated area with minimal watering. It's normal for them to stretch out in winter and summer, but they recover quickly when returned to normal outdoor conditions in spring and autumn. To avoid stretching in low light during summer and winter, only dormancy and stop growth.
11. Don't be deceived by the colorful names of Korean products. Many of these are common varieties in China.
12. Don't blindly chase expensive plants and leaves. Many varieties have plummeted in price after rounds of speculation. Leaf propagation is risky for inexperienced gardeners, as there are too many factors that can cause leaves to rot. Moreover, it's not easy to determine the authenticity of a plant from a single leaf.
13. Don't buy large old stakes blindly. After being shipped, they are not as sturdy as you might think and can easily have problems during the potting process.
14. Accept the black rot of succulents with a calm mind and don't blame yourself too much. We all grow by stepping on one blackened plant after another. Even experienced gardeners may occasionally kill expensive plants. If you notice leaf rot, remove it promptly to prevent spreading. If the stem is black, cut it off to save as much of the head and leaves as possible to continue its life. Also, summarize the lessons learned to prevent similar situations.
15. It is also very important not to make transactions with unfamiliar sellers or plant friends directly through Alipay. Always use Taobao or forum trading platforms, or it's better not to buy.
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