Selecting Tips for Succulent Plants
Today, I would like to introduce you to the knowledge of succulent plants, including some tips for selecting succulent plants. The specific content is as follows:
Due to the power of microblogs, succulent plants have become increasingly popular, and more and more flower enthusiasts have developed an interest in them. Although most people buy succulent plants through online shopping, if you occasionally visit flower markets or flower shops, you might want to pay attention to the following points to select your favorite and robust plants.
1. Since succulent plants have a high water content and often have strong water retention abilities, such as having a horny or waxy layer on the plant surface, leaves specialized into spiky shapes, and some drought-resistant physiological traits, they are less likely to lose water and have relatively low water requirements. Therefore, when dealers transport succulent plants, they usually carry a minimal amount of soil or are sold bare-root without soil. It is best to choose plants with fibrous roots and non-dry roots to ensure that they can grow new roots shortly after planting.
2. The plant should have normal color, clear patterns, and no spots, bug marks, or water-stained spots. The pests that commonly affect succulent plants are small-bodied leaf mites (spider mites) and scale insects, which hide on the back of the leaves or among the branches, using the plant's patterns and color spots as camouflage. They are not easily spotted at a glance, so careful observation is necessary when selecting.
3. When choosing a plant that has already been planted in a pot, make sure to check if it has been recently planted. If it is a recently planted plant (C-S), the potting soil will be loose, and the plant will sway significantly when shaken. Such plants have not developed new roots and should be kept away from strong sunlight and controlled for water after purchase. It usually takes one to one and a half months to gradually transition to normal management. According to observations, this type of potted plant currently accounts for a large proportion of those sold in the market.
4. The market also commonly has mixed potted plants, where multiple species or varieties are planted together in one container. When selecting, not only pay attention to the arrangement of the plants for a balanced and interesting look, but also check if the different species have similar living habits. If plants with significantly different requirements for light, water, and growing media are planted together, it will make future maintenance more challenging.
5. Most succulent plants are native to tropical and subtropical regions and are sensitive to changes in environmental temperature. Although succulent plants are available all year round in the market, for some regions in China where there is no indoor heating in winter and the room temperature is low, you should avoid buying cold-sensitive succulent plants during the dormant period from November to March of the following year, as the plants will find it hard to survive continuous low temperatures.
6. "Succulent plants," in horticulture, generally refers to thick, juicy plants with stems, leaves, and other nutrient organs, excluding cacti. This includes various groups such as the Crassulaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Aizoaceae, Agavaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Apocynaceae, Asteraceae, Liliaceae, Portulacaceae, and Bromeliaceae. Due to the distant genetic relationships and the large number of species, there are many differences behind the similarities. When selecting and cultivating, you should consider your own growing conditions and treat different species accordingly to achieve the desired results.
Have you understood the detailed introduction of the tips for selecting succulent plants mentioned above?