Everything you need to know about Succulents.
Latin sucus (juice or sap)
CARE
Drain it.
Succulents need soil with good drainage, sitting in soggy wet soil will cause their roots to rot. The best soil for succulents will contain sand and small stones like perlite and pumice. You can buy a specialty mix for succulents or create your own blend. Just make sure it allows water to pass through easily.
Water it.
Succulents are really good at holding water. So good, they can accidentally drown themselves. Plants breathe partially through their roots, and if those roots are wet, they can’t breathe efficiently.
Succulent roots cling to every drop of water as if it might be their last. It’s really important to let the soil dry out completely between waterings. A rough guide is every two weeks, but check the soil first and let your succa guide you.
When the soil is dry, and has been for at least a day or two, its time for a drink. Avoid watering over the leaves, get the water straight into the soil and saturate it. Watering lightly will only encourage the plants roots to grow up instead of stretching down. Check the water is able to drain properly. Wet, soggy roots= rot.
Feed it.
Succulents need a lot less fertilizer than other plants, and can get burned if you use a fertilizer that’s too strong. Dilute your liquid fertiliser to 1/4 strength and feed every couple of months or during periods of active growth.
Simply mix the fertilizer into the water and water as usual.
Light it.
Repeat after me- succulents need sun. At least 4 hours a day of bright, direct sunlight is necessary to prevent etiolation.
Etiolation happens when a succulent is sun deprived, and starts stretching itself towards the nearest light source. Etiolated succulents will grow tall, bent and wonky. Their leaves will lose colour and look pale and weak.
Lil succus are just trying desperately to get closer to the light. Help them out and pick a bright, sunny spot for them.
Warm it.
Some succulents can handle cold temperatures, but the majority like a warm climate. Why? Succulents’ plump little leaves store water and sap and this will freeze when it’s too cold, destroying the plants cells. Their leaves will turn brown and soggy, and sadly this damage is permanent. Bring your outdoor succulent inside when the weather turns cold and they will thank you!
A little history.
Other than Antarctica, succulents can be found on every continent.
Nearly all cacti are succulents but not all succulents are cacti.
The largest succulent in the world is the Baobab Tree of Africa. The trunk of the plant can reach up to 92 feet (28 m) in girth and reach heights of around 82 feet.
Sucus- Latin meaning juice or sap.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Browning Leaves.
Succulents are sensitive to over watering just like any other potted plant. Leaves that are soggy and brown tends to indicate over-watering. Check the soil and make sure you let it completely dry out between drinks.
Pale/Stretched Leaves.
Your succulent need more sun, and is stretching out to find it. Move it to a brighter spot.
Light- too much or too little?
Too Little
The plant starts to dramatically grow towards the light.
Leaves begin to curl upwards.
New growth is much smaller than original leaves and may have less color.
Plants grow spindly with elongated stems.
Flowering plants stop producing blooms.
Too Much
Brown or sunburned spots develop on its leaves.
Leaves begin to yellow and fall off.
Plants with bright colors will begin to fade.
The plant looks scorched, especially on the light-facing side.
