How to grow succulents to have a good-looking shape (Notes for beginners to grow succulents)

Silver Star Succulent (Picture)

How to cultivate succulents

1) Appropriate soil preparation

The soil for growing succulents should be loose, breathable, well-drained, and contain a certain amount of organic matter.

The common ratio of succulent soil is: garden soil + coarse river sand + peat soil + perlite, and then add a little fully fermented organic fertilizer as base fertilizer. The soil for growing succulents should be mixed in a ratio of 3:2:2:2:1.

Pansy succulent in good condition (picture)

2) The environment should be well ventilated

In hot and humid environments with poor air circulation, succulents are most likely to suffer from root rot, leaf waterlogging and other drawbacks. Therefore, ventilation is very important in the environment where succulents are grown.

If the environment for growing succulents is not well ventilated, it will not be conducive to the evaporation of moisture from the succulents, and it will also be difficult to reduce the high temperature and humidity in the environment, which can easily lead to root rot of the succulents.

3) Light intensity needs to be appropriate

Sunlight is the best source of fertilizer for the growth of succulents, especially those in the Crassulaceae family. Most of them need sunlight to show their good condition.

However, if it is not a succulent plant that is grown outdoors for a long time, avoid sudden exposure to strong direct sunlight, otherwise it will easily get burned.

Especially during the hot summer season, most succulents are in a dormant or semi-dormant state. Attention should be paid to sunshade management and maintenance to avoid damage to the stems and leaves due to exposure to the scorching sun.

Ruby Succulent (Picture)

Things to note for novice growers

First, the temperature needs to be suitable

The suitable temperature for the growth of succulents is 16~28°C. In winter, they should be kept indoors to prevent frostbite; generally, they can survive the winter safely if the indoor temperature is above 10°C.

The temperature is high in summer and the heat is great, so it should be controlled at around 28°C. In particular, attention should be paid to shade and maintenance to prevent burns to the stems and leaves of plants caused by exposure to the sun.

Succulent plants should pay attention to the following points in summer: "High temperature should not lead to high humidity, and high humidity should not lead to high temperature". This is the key point of raising succulent plants in midsummer.

The Xiuyan succulent plant in good condition (photo)

Second, control the amount of watering

For succulents in the growth stage, the principle of "water thoroughly when dry" should be followed when watering. Remember not to water if the soil is not dry, and water thoroughly when you do.

During the summer dormancy period, you should pay attention to water control and reduce the number of watering. Remember not to let the pot soil accumulate water for a long time to avoid root rot. The best time for watering is in the early morning and evening, and avoid watering during the high temperature at noon.

Stop watering in winter, water less in spring, and water whenever the soil is dry or wet in summer and autumn.

Lilac Succulent (Picture)

Third, proper fertilization

When planting succulents in pots, special granular slow-release fertilizer can be used as base fertilizer.

You can also mix wood ash, rice husk charcoal, or fermented organic fertilizer into the soil at the bottom of the pot as base fertilizer; during the growth and development period of succulents, use Huaduoduo fertilizer or 1500~2000 times diluted potassium dihydrogen phosphate to irrigate the roots.

It is important to note that newly potted succulents, succulents with wounds, succulents with weak root systems, succulents that have just emerged, and succulents in a dormant period should not be fertilized, otherwise it will easily cause root rot or even death from fertilizer damage.