How often to water succulents
Summary: This article discusses the knowledge of succulent watering frequency and the correct way to care for succulents, including the following details:
Succulent watering methods have always been a dilemma for plant lovers. Overwatering can cause root rot, while underwatering can lead to dehydration. The amount of water for succulents depends on many factors: regional climate, weather, season, temperature, ventilation, plant habits, soil, pot material, daily sun exposure time, placement, plant condition, and size. In cool seasons (October to March), water once every 1-2 weeks, and do not water during rainy days or excessive sunlight. In hot and humid seasons (April to September), water once a month, but make sure to water thoroughly when needed, skipping during the plum rain season and occasionally spraying water mist.
Watering too much during the dormant period can cause the plant to rot, such as summer-dormant lithops which will rot immediately if watered in summer. Winter-dormant cacti, if watered in winter, can cause root rot or easily freeze. Although they may not rot in winter, they will rot in spring. Watering time should be early morning in summer and before noon on sunny days in winter, while in spring and autumn, it can be done in the morning or evening. Generally, avoid watering from the top to prevent unsightly spots on the plant or contamination of the hair-like structures on certain species. Accumulation of water at the growing points can cause rot.
Observe the growth of each plant carefully. Some people think that the plant is dehydrated when they see the leaves turning red, the leaf tips and older leaves drying out. However, this phenomenon can also occur due to excessive light, long-term lack of water in the potting soil, damaged roots, rot at the root neck, or scar formation after being bitten by insects, which can disrupt water transportation. Therefore, familiarizing oneself with the plant's growth conditions is very helpful for mastering watering techniques. Generally, plants that are growing vigorously and flowering plants have higher water requirements, and watering should be timely. For older, large plants that have stopped growing, watering should be reduced.
Both desert and high-altitude succulents store a lot of water in their stems and leaves, so the watering amount should not be excessive. Moreover, when succulents are extremely dehydrated, they will consume the water in their leaves to supply necessary nutrients, causing the bottom leaves to dry out slowly. Additionally, some species like mesembryanthemums and some Crassulaceae will wrinkle when dehydrated, and others will become soft, which are signals for watering.
How often to water succulents
In spring, summer, and autumn, it's best to water in the evening or when it's cool in the afternoon. In winter, due to low temperatures, it's best to water at noon. When watering, pour the water along the edge of the pot, avoiding the leaves. Try to prevent water from accumulating in the center of the leaves, as this can act like a magnifying glass, focusing sunlight and burning the leaves. If water accidentally gets into the center of the leaves, blow the water droplets away or absorb them with a paper towel.
Finally, during the dormant period of succulents, the main goal is to maintain. Due to temperature and other factors, succulents enter a state of self-protection, their roots stop most activities, and many fine roots have disappeared. At this point, there's no need to maintain the root hairs. Since they've lost the ability to absorb water, excessive water is not only ineffective but can cause the fine roots to rot, which in turn affects the main roots of the succulent plant, and in unlucky cases, can rot into the stem tissue.
The specific content shared above on how often to water succulents and the correct way to care for succulents is provided for everyone's reference and operation.