Succulent Care Guide for May: Outdoor Growing in the North, Summer Survival in the South - Getting It Wrong Can Kill Them

The South Enters the Summer Survival Stage

Taking Nanjing, Jiangsu as an example, the daytime high temperature is close to 30 degrees, clearly entering the rhythm of summer. So, friends in the south need to start helping their succulents survive the summer.

1. Shading

The sunlight in the south is quite intense now, so it is best to place succulents in the shadow of a south-facing balcony (windowsill), or use a shade net to block the sun, providing succulents with a relatively cool summer environment with weaker sunlight.

Note: Do not worry that the succulents will look less colorful after shading and put them out in the full sun. This can easily cause sunburn. Once sunburned, it takes a long time to recover.

2. Good Ventilation

Good ventilation is also an important condition for succulents to survive the summer. Good ventilation can prevent bacteria from breeding, speed up water evaporation, and avoid a hot and humid environment. It is recommended that gardening enthusiasts in the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai and southwestern regions equip themselves with small fans.

Note: Friends who like to mist their succulents to cool them down must do so only under good ventilation conditions, and it is best to blow dry any water droplets that accidentally fall into the center of the leaves.

3. Watering

Try to choose evening or nighttime for watering. The lack of light and the ventilated environment at night make it easy for water to evaporate and hard for water to accumulate.

Note: Never water at noon or in the afternoon. When watering, be careful not to water into the leaf core, otherwise water will accumulate on the leaves, and combined with direct sunlight, this can easily cause leaf burn.

4. Prepare Loose, Breathable Soil

Soil is also an important condition for succulents to successfully survive the summer. Coarse sand and peat soil can be mixed at a 7:3 ratio. This kind of soil is loose and breathable, and water does not easily accumulate.

Note: Friends who cannot control their watering and like to water a lot can appropriately increase the granular material in the soil to strengthen water permeability, so as to avoid root rot caused by water accumulation.

Coloring Up Succulents in the North

Now, temperatures in the north are gradually stabilizing and the light has improved. At this time, you can move your succulents outside to bask in the sun and color up~

1. Basking in the Sun

First place the succulents on a balcony behind a window to receive light, and be sure to open the window for ventilation. After about two weeks of adaptation, move the succulents to a sunny spot to bask in the sun.

Note: Never move indoor succulents directly to a place with direct sunlight. This makes it hard for them to adapt to the sudden change in environment and leads to sunburn. Try to avoid direct sunlight from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

2. Watering

During this period, succulents are in a rapid growth phase, so timely watering is very necessary. You can use the soaking method: place the pot in water for three to five minutes, and wait until no bubbles come out at all, which means it has been thoroughly soaked.

Note:

1. On cloudy days, reduce watering or even skip it entirely, because insufficient light combined with too much water will cause succulents to grow leggy.

2. If you notice the leaves are wrinkled and uneven, it means the succulent is short of water and should be watered immediately until water flows out from the bottom of the pot.

3. Temperature Difference

Light and temperature difference are the two great secrets to coloring up succulents. In spring, the temperature difference is naturally around 10 degrees, so if you want them to color up, gradually move the succulents outdoors.

Note: Although temperatures in the north are gradually stabilizing now, be sure to pay attention to the weather forecast to avoid frostbite caused by a sharp drop in temperature.

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