Not plump enough? Master watering techniques to make your succulents grow fat and beautiful

For succulents, watering in summer needs strict control. It is best to water at 7 or 8 in the morning. When the leaves are soft, water thoroughly right away; if they are not soft, do not water. At noon the temperature is too high, so it is recommended not to water, as it easily suffocates the roots and forms a convex lens effect that concentrates light and sunburns the succulents. You can also water after 6 in the afternoon, but since the noon temperature is too high, the soil still retains heat by the afternoon, and watering may also suffocate the roots.

For succulents in summer, keeping air flowing is very important. Normal airflow can not only reduce the high-temperature micro-environment around the succulents, but also quickly carry away the excess moisture produced by accidental overwatering. In addition, a ventilated environment can effectively prevent pests and diseases. You can place the succulents in a ventilated, shady spot, where shady refers to the degree of light. If direct sunlight continues to shine on the succulents, they will become listless, shrink, and so on. Succulents must maintain sufficient light to grow normally. Among them, succulents such as Dioscorea elephantipes and Albuca spiralis most need shade from light. In addition, if conditions allow, using a shade net also works very well.

In summer, the best time to water is early morning; in winter, it should be done before noon on a clear day; in spring and autumn, you can water in the morning or evening. Generally, do not pour water from the top. When watering, you must water enough. For this reason, you must often loosen the soil so that the potting soil can easily absorb enough water evenly. For growing winter-type and intermediate-type plants, the potting soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged. Water so that it is dry before watering thoroughly; it should be neither waterlogged nor too dry. Summer-type species can be watered appropriately, but do not overdo it. If there is rainy weather or the temperature suddenly drops, stop watering.

Succulents most fear waterlogging. Especially in summer, growers may feel that the water in the soil dries quickly, so they water frequently, causing the roots to remain wet and rot for a long time, making recovery difficult. In fact, summer has a lot of rain and humid air. Although the soil surface may appear dry, the bottom is still not dry, especially in southern regions. For winter-type succulents, watering should be strictly controlled in summer, and continuous temperatures above 35°C can be considered for cutting off water.

Since most succulents still grow in summer, it is just that different varieties grow at different speeds. For those that have already gone dormant, such as Aeonium species, watering once every one to two months under cool and ventilated conditions is also fine. However, the period from morning to sunset is not suitable for watering. This is because water given in the morning, if not yet dry by noon, will continue to endure high temperatures in the afternoon, making the flowerpot soil temperature relatively high. Therefore, it is best to water in the cool, windy evening, and the water will evaporate better overnight.

Succulents grown outdoors often encounter rainy days, so the soil must have strong drainage and air permeability. Therefore, we must add granules to the soil, such as small stones, coal, shells, and so on, as long as they can form gaps.

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