Gardening enthusiasts understand that cultivating plants is a delicate art. Many succulents are extremely hardy because their fleshy tissues retain water, making them well-suited to dry areas with little rain. However, they still require tender care and careful maintenance to achieve a healthy appearance. Both novice and experienced gardeners can benefit from tips on growing healthy succulents.
1. Use the Sun
Succulents may be hardy, but they still like plenty of sunlight because they are desert plants. Therefore, gardeners should always place succulents on a sun porch or in a greenhouse to receive ample natural light. If growing them indoors, place them as close to a large window as possible, ideally one that faces the direction the sun rises for maximum exposure.
2. Take Succulents Outside
A lack of sunlight is the biggest threat to plants, including succulents. If gardeners want to grow succulents indoors but find that the sun isn't reaching an acceptable level, they should move them outdoors for a couple of days each week. This helps succulents to reach their full potential.
3. Give Succulents Some Space
Because sunlight is important for succulents, providing ample breathing space is essential for their health. It is important to move succulents if there is a risk that other plants will block precious sunlight. Placing succulents in a separate area is another solution.
4. Ease off Pruning
Succulents grow slowly, and many never require any pruning. Therefore, gardeners should allow their plants to grow naturally and use secateurs only when necessary. For example, when space is at a premium, the foliage from one succulent prevents sunlight from reaching another plant.
5. Put Down the Watering Can
Contrary to popular belief, succulents need no more water than other plants and often require less than other popular plants in temperate climates. Their thick stems and leaves store water efficiently, so they usually need less frequent watering. In general, gardeners should water succulents when they are visibly dry.
6. Pay Attention to Drainage and Fertilizer
The soil that works best for many plants is not always best for succulents, which thrive in porous soil that drains quickly and easily. Mixing healthy soil with sand at a 30/70 ratio helps prevent the soil around the plant from retaining excess water. Succulents also require less fertilizer than many other plants. A low-balanced soluble fertilizer delivered at half or a quarter of the quantity for ordinary plants is sufficient.
7. Choose Green Succulents
Succulents can be challenging for new gardeners, so it is best to start with green succulents such as cacti, Agaves, or Aloes. These are among the hardiest succulents and thrive indoors near a large window.
8. Kill Pests
As with all plants, pests can quickly damage succulents. Therefore, gardeners must regularly and thoroughly check plants for insect infestations and eliminate pests promptly. Watering sparingly is an effective way to prevent gnats. A natural pesticide that is not harmful to houseplants is also beneficial.
9. Keep Succulents Warm
Succulents are easy to maintain and tolerant of drought, but healthy succulents do not survive even a light frost. As succulents are not suited to colder climates that sometimes occur in mountainous regions, gardeners in these areas must keep these plants indoors during winter.
10. Avoid Ornate Pots
Proper drainage and preventing water storage are vital for succulents, so ornate plant pots without drainage holes can cause problems. Simple clay or plastic plant pots allow better drainage than glass or metal.
Source: ebay.com
Links
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus