How to Grow Succulents: A Detailed Guide to Watering Frequency and Care Methods
Recently, many young people have had their eyes caught by an super cute plant——the succulent, and want to take it home as soon as they see it. This plant, just like its name suggests, has at least one part among its roots, stems and leaves that is thick and juicy.So how should succulents be grown? How often is it best to water them?
1. How should succulents be grown?
1. Growing succulents requires suitable soil: succulents are suited to soil with good water and air permeability, dry, sterile and free of insects. In the dry north, soil moisture needs to be increased; in the south, where there is more rain, the soil's drainage performance needs to be improved.
2. Growing succulents requires suitable light: the growth of succulents needs sufficient light, and too little light or a dark environment will cause etiolation. When growing succulents indoors, it is suitable to place them at a sunny window or on a balcony. In summer, you can use a shade net or move them indoors, and avoid sun exposure from 12-15 o'clock; in other seasons they can fully receive sunlight.
3. Growing succulents requires suitable moisture. The principle for watering succulents is to water less and water thoroughly, to avoid root rot and black rot caused by water accumulating in the pot; too much water is also bad for the succulents' shape and causes etiolation. Spring and autumn are the growing seasons for succulents, and when the lower leaves begin to shrivel is the best time to water; summer is the dormant season for succulents, mainly using spray watering, keeping the pot soil surface moist is enough; in winter, reduce the number of times you water it.
4. Growing succulents definitely requires suitable temperature: the suitable growth temperature for succulents is between 12 and 28°, and spring and autumn are the seasons when succulents grow most vigorously. When growing succulents at home, ensure the winter room temperature is above 8°C and the summer room temperature is below 35°, and pay attention to ventilating the succulents to cool them down.
5. Growing succulents requires suitable fertilizer: they depend very little on fertilizer, but moderate fertilizing can promote the growth of succulents. Fertilizing succulents should follow the principle of frequent but small amounts, and repotting in spring and autumn is the best time to fertilize; during the dormant period, fertilizing must be stopped to avoid root rot.
2. Roughly how often is it best to water succulents?
Water is the source of life for humans, and the same is true for plants. So if you truly want to grow the cute little succulents well, how to water them is extremely important.
1. Watering frequency for succulents:
(1) Watering frequency means the number of times you water. Spring and autumn are the plants' growing seasons, so just keep watering normally, and you can check the dryness and moisture of the soil; if the weather is good and water is absorbed quickly, you can water once every 3 to 4 days, and generally once a week.
(2) In summer and winter, succulents enter a dormant state, and at this time you can stretch out the watering interval; in winter you can water once every 15 to 20 days; in summer water evaporates very quickly, so you can water once a week, just don't use too much.
(3) If it is a seedling just planted or just bought back, water once a day, but don't use much water; for adult succulents, about once a week, and for old stumps, about 2 times a month.
2. Watering amount for succulents:
(1) For succulent seedlings, just a little water each time, preferably by spraying, keeping the surface soil moist is enough.
(2) For adult succulents, water enough each time, and the watering frequency should be low; for old stumps, water thoroughly once, once or twice a month is enough.
(3) In spring and autumn, just keep watering normally, and if the soil is not moist enough you can water a bit more as appropriate; in summer, water more often but with less each time, and in winter just water until the soil is slightly moist every half month.
3. Watering succulents requires observation first: if the plant's leaves are shriveled or wrinkled, it is all because of lack of water, and at this time you should water it immediately.
4. Different planting soil means different watering: if there are more granules in the planting soil, then it is best to water multiple times.
3. How much do succulents cost?
Succulents are a type of plant with many varieties. According to rough statistics, there are more than ten thousand kinds of succulents and more than 100 families in the world, so the prices naturally vary enormously. Below is a brief introduction to a few:
1. The price of Lithops: Lithops is a succulent that looks like a pebble, and it mostly blooms from midsummer to mid-autumn. The price is between 0.5 and 1.5 yuan. A 5 cm one costs about 35 yuan per plant.
2. The price of Sedum rubrotinctum: Sedum rubrotinctum is cylindrical to oval, quite beautiful like a beauty's finger, and the price of seedlings ranges from 1.5 yuan to 6 yuan per plant.
3. The price of the ball cactus: the ball cactus is spherical and covered with spines all over, and the price of seedlings ranges from 2 yuan to 8 yuan per pot.
4. The price of the prickly pear cactus: the prickly pear cactus is mostly flat and covered with spines, and the price of an adult potted one ranges from 8 yuan to 150 yuan.