How to grow crispy duck until it overflows the pot?

Succulent Crispy Duck is a plant well known to succulent plant lovers. It is known for its upright growth habit and ability to develop into a tree-like structure. The leaves of the crispy duck are small with obvious tips, and are usually green or dark green when growing normally. Another notable feature of the Crispy Duck is that it tends to form old piles, and over time, can grow quite lush, eventually forming a spectacular appearance similar to a small tree. Let’s learn together how to grow crispy duck to a large size.

1. Suitable environment

Crispy duck prefers a warm, dry and sunny environment and requires good ventilation. A suitable environment is essential for the healthy growth of crispy duck. The temperature range that Crispy Duck can tolerate is 2-35℃, and its optimal growth temperature is 15-28℃, so spring and autumn are its peak growth periods. In these two seasons, sufficient light and good ventilation should be ensured. When the temperature exceeds 35℃, shade should be provided for the crispy duck to avoid strong direct sunlight at noon. If the ambient temperature is lower than 5℃, the frequency of watering should be reduced to keep the soil in the pot moderately dry. When the temperature is below 0℃, stop watering and take measures to protect the plants from frost damage.

2. Pot soil selection

Crispy duck requires loose and breathable soil. Choosing the right potting soil is crucial to the healthy growth of the root system, which directly affects the plant's ability to absorb nutrients. It is recommended to use a breathable ceramic or clay pot and make sure there are drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. The size of the pot should match the size of the plant. For old stumps, a deeper pot can be used. If you prepare the soil yourself, you should choose an appropriate ratio of granular soil to nutrient soil according to the size of the plant to promote the healthy development of the root system.

3. Water management

During the growing season of Crispy Duck, that is, spring and autumn, the soil should be kept slightly moist to avoid water accumulation. During the growing season, wait until the soil surface is dry before watering. After watering, place the plant in a well-ventilated place to help the soil dry. During the high temperatures in summer, you should reduce watering moderately, choose to water slowly along the edge of the pot in the evening, and ensure good ventilation. In winter, water needs to be strictly controlled. Only water the plants appropriately when the soil in the pot is completely dry to help them resist low temperatures.

4. Promote the formation of old piles

Crispy duck tends to form old stumps, which can grow into a tree-like structure over time. To cultivate old stumps, you must first allow the stems to lengthen. During the growing season, you can remove the bottom leaves to allow the stems to receive more light and promote their lignification. If you want the stems to grow quickly, you can increase the amount of water and nutrients appropriately, but be careful to control the length. Once the desired length is reached, sufficient light is used to promote the lignification of the stems to form old stumps.

5. Lighting requirements

Adequate light is essential for the color change of the leaves of Crispy Duck. During maintenance, the plant should be placed in a well-lit area and ensure that it receives at least 5 hours of sunlight per day. Insufficient light may cause the plant to remain green or even grow leggy. Except for the strong light at noon in summer, sufficient light should be provided as much as possible at other times. Under full sunlight conditions, the crispy duck will be darker in color and in better condition.

6. Advantages of outdoor cultivation

In order to make the color of the crispy duck more vivid, outdoor breeding is a good choice. The outdoor environment can provide uniform sunlight and good ventilation, which is conducive to the healthy growth of plants. When the outdoor temperature is between 5℃ and 30℃ and the ventilation is good, it is suitable to place the crispy duck outdoors. Spring, late autumn and early winter have large temperature differences and are the best seasons for raising crispy-skin ducks outdoors.

The above are the key points in cultivating the Crispy Duck succulent plant. As long as you maintain these maintenance methods, it is relatively easy to grow it into a perfect state.