Arcillite Four-Season Maintenance Tips
Here we introduce the content about arcillite, a type of succulent plant. We will share some maintenance tips for arcillite throughout the four seasons. Let's take a look together.
Arcillite Maintenance from February to March
During this period, arcillite generally begins its annual shedding process. The plant will shrink slightly during shedding, the outer epidermis will gradually wither, and the inner part will slowly bulge. This is the new growth of arcillite, which is the shedding process. The new arcillite will gradually consume the nutrients from the outer old skin, using the nutrients from the outer epidermis to provide sufficient nutrients and moisture for the new growth. At this time, arcillite should be completely watered off as it does not require external water. It is important to expose it to the sun and ensure good ventilation. Be cautious in March as the sun can be very strong, and different environments may cause sunburn to the tender new flesh. Allow the arcillite to gradually adapt to sunlight.
Many hobbyists purchase arcillite during this season, eager to start their own plant care journey. It should be noted that there is no problem with arcillite during transportation unless it is damaged. Beginners need not worry about whether the快递 will kill the plant. If the arcillite has many fine roots, you can trim the dry fine roots. There is no need to worry about over-trimming as I trim the fine branches of my arcillite with scissors, leaving the main roots 5 millimeters long. Then place it in a well-ventilated area to dry for 3 to 5 days until the wounds heal before potting.
Beginners often ask me how to plant them. It's actually very simple. Prepare a pot and planting material (the soil used for plant growth), fill the pot three-quarters full, then use forceps to hold the roots and insert them into the planting material, allowing the roots to be submerged. At this point, the arcillite should be standing upright. If it's not stable, insert the forceps deeper. You can then place your favorite small stones or other granules on the remaining one-fifth of the pot to make the arcillite level with your layout. This is how you pot the plant. The number of plants per pot depends on the size of the arcillite. For example, in a 7*7*8 pot, you can plant 9 arcillites that are 1 centimeter in size. This ratio is ideal.
It is worth noting that before filling the pot with planting material, you can first place a layer of large granular material at the bottom of the pot, such as planting stones, lightweight stones, or ceramsite. This helps increase moisture evaporation and prevents waterlogging. After potting, the old skin will gradually consume all the nutrients, become very thin and brittle, and can be easily removed with forceps. At this point, you can start watering the arcillite, gradually increasing the amount of water until it is fully saturated. If the planting material is permeable, you can water it all at once. The environment should be well-ventilated. At this time, the arcillite enters the peak growing season. You can dilute some carbendazim in the water at a ratio of 800:1 or 1000:1 to effectively prevent bacterial growth.
It is important to note that hobbyists in different regions with different climates should be flexible.
Arcillite Maintenance from April to June
These three months are the period from shedding completion to growth for arcillite. The management is relatively simple: water when dry and soak when wet. Beginners can extend the watering time to gradually accumulate experience. Sometimes, when I have many plants, I use the pot-lifting method: the pot is heavy after watering and light when dry, which helps determine if it is dry. Another method is to insert a toothpick into the pot and water when the toothpick is dry. Many hobbyists use this method. Plastic pots can be lifted, but ceramic pots are more challenging. Combining both methods and practicing can make you skilled. It's better to be dry than wet, as succulent plants are very drought-resistant, beyond your imagination.
Hobbyists purchasing arcillite in these three months can rest assured to care for it after shedding is complete.
Arcillite Maintenance from July to September
These two months are basically the dormancy period for arcillite. When the ambient temperature exceeds 30 degrees Celsius, arcillite should gradually reduce watering and enter dormancy. When the temperature exceeds 35 degrees Celsius, arcillite enters the dormancy period. Occasional misting is sufficient, and avoid direct sunlight above 35 degrees Celsius. Use a shade net for shading and ensure good ventilation.
During the entire summer, do not give too much water, as arcillite cannot tolerate high temperatures and humidity. Air-conditioned rooms are an exception, but arcillite still needs to enter dormancy.
Hobbyists purchasing arcillite from July to September should care for it according to their own circumstances. I have bought arcillite at temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius before, and transportation has generally been fine. The slowest快递 takes about 7 days, and high temperatures do not have much impact on transportation. Arcillite purchased in this season should be dried for 3 to 5 days, then potted, with a little water dripped at the roots, the potting soil should not be watered through. Place it in a well-ventilated and shaded area to safely survive the summer. You can mist it if you want. I usually mist once every 7 to 10 days, keeping the soil surface slightly moist. Many new hobbyists have the urge to water when the plant looks wrinkled, but healthy arcillite will be slightly wrinkled in the summer and recover during the growing period.
Arcillite Maintenance from October to December
As the weather gradually cools, arcillite begins its second annual growth. You can remove the shading net and allow full sunlight, but still be cautious of high temperatures. Adult arcillite will slowly develop flower buds during this time, displaying their charming flowers. During the flower bud development period, you can increase nutrients using slow-release fertilizer or liquid fertilizer. I used a 1200-fold dilution of compound fertilizer solution, poured around the edge of the pot, avoiding the plant. You can also avoid using fertilizer. The soil provides the necessary nutrients for the plant. Watering also supplies nutrients. Arcillite flowers require plenty of sunlight; otherwise, the petals will not open in阴雨天. Only in full sunlight will the petals fully open. Arcillite requires cross-pollination to produce seeds. The maintenance is the same as during the growing period from April to June. Change the pot before watering if needed.
Arcillite Maintenance from December to February
In December, many places in China start to get cold. When the ambient temperature reaches 5 degrees Celsius, arcillite should gradually reduce watering. At 0 degrees Celsius, the potting soil should be kept dry, and arcillite should be insulated in cold areas. The usual method is to move the arcillite indoors or insulate it with a film to keep the temperature above 0 degrees Celsius. Keep the potting soil dry until the shedding process is complete and the plant is repotted before gradually resuming normal watering.
In the early 2011 cold snap, with outdoor temperatures between -14 and -15 degrees Celsius and greenhouse temperatures at -9 degrees Celsius, several clusters of arcillite near the glass were about 10% frostbitten, with parts becoming jelly-like. The temperature in the greenhouse rose during the day, and the next day, the outdoor temperature was -10 degrees Celsius, with the greenhouse at 4 to 5 degrees Celsius. The frostbitten adult clusters recovered, but the two pots of姬玉露 leaves did not recover, showing a white and red coloration. This shows that adult arcillite can withstand brief low temperatures. The watering should be done in the sunny middle of the day when the temperature is higher, avoiding watering and allowing more sun exposure to shorten the shedding period.
The above insights are my maintenance tips. Different regions may require different methods. This article is for reference only, and beginners should not copy it but adapt to their actual situation.
The above sharing of arcillite four-season maintenance tips is for everyone to learn and understand!