The complete glossary of common succulent terms: memorize these and you can say goodbye to being a succulent newbie
?Huahua has so many friends who have successfully fallen into the succulent rabbit hole, but as a newbie, hearing others discuss fasciation, black rot, variegation... you're just left looking confused. Today, Huahua will give everyone a crash course on those succulent-related professional terms, helping newbies become succulent masters!
The ultimate succulent care guide
GARDENING ENCYCLOPEDIA
Newbies just entering the succulent rabbit hole mostly only know to toss their succulents on the balcony to sunbathe. But they don't know that succulents have the following multiple care methods.
1
Open-air growing
Open-air growing means caring for succulents outdoors in the open air. Open-air-grown succulents most easily reach their peak condition.
Huahua's tips:
Spring and autumn sunlight is mild and not intense, making them the best seasons for open-air growing. However, in the summer when sunlight is harsh, you must take care to provide shade to prevent sunburn on your succulents.
Open-air growing recommendations:
Most succulents are suitable for open-air growing, but Haworthia succulents fear strong light and easily develop light spots, such as Haworthia cooperi and Haworthia truncata. These types of succulents are best not grown in the open air.
2
Enclosed growing
Enclosed growing refers to covering succulents with a transparent container for care. The gases produced by the succulent's own photosynthesis will turn the container into a "mini greenhouse."
Huahua's tips:
Sterility is the key to enclosed growing. Before enclosed growing, the potting soil and container must be disinfected. Succulents that have just been potted, have wounds, or are in their dormant period are not suitable for enclosed growing.
Enclosed growing recommendations:
Cactus-type and Haworthia succulents are both suitable for enclosed growing, such as Haworthia cooperi, Haworthia truncata, and Haworthia retusa.
3
Bright indirect light
Bright indirect light means not receiving direct sunlight, but having bright light. Bright windowsills, living rooms, and similar spots all count as bright indirect light environments.
Huahua's tips:
Bright indirect light environments are suitable for succulents that have just been potted and are in their acclimation period, as well as succulents in poor condition. A bright indirect light environment helps succulents return to normal condition.
Bright indirect light care reminder:
Generally, unless under special circumstances, succulents are not recommended for bright indirect light care, as this kind of environment easily causes etiolation (leggy growth) in succulents.
Succulents come in all shapes
GARDENING ENCYCLOPEDIA
Many gardening enthusiasts fell into the rabbit hole after seeing the various beautiful forms that master growers have cultivated. These various forms also have their own special names!
1
Fasciation
Fasciation refers to a growth state in which a succulent, stimulated by unknown external factors, develops abnormal division at the top, forming multiple growing points. These growing points then connect laterally into a line, ultimately forming a fan shape.
Huahua's tips:
Fasciation in succulents occurs by chance, and sometimes they can revert from fasciation back to normal. To maintain fasciation, you need to remove the normal parts to reduce the growth advantage of the normal areas.
Fasciation recommendations:
Most succulents can develop fasciation through leaf propagation. Among them, Echeveria runyonii 'Topsy Turvy', Echeveria 'Shinsoukan', Echeveria 'Black Prince', and Echeveria elegans are especially prone to fasciation.
2
Variegation
Succulent variegation refers to a change in leaf color, such as the appearance of white, yellow, red, or other colors not originally part of the leaf.
Huahua's tips:
There is seasonal variegation, where the variegation disappears after a period of time. Of course, there is also stable variegation. It all comes down to luck~
Variegated succulent reminder:
Variegation in succulents isn't always a good thing. After variegation, succulents have higher requirements for their growing environment. Some succulents will gradually become fully variegated and head toward death.
3
Clustering
Clustering refers to a single succulent growing multiple heads. Once they grow larger, this is called clustering.
Huahua's tips:
To grow clustering succulents, you can use the "beheading method." During the succulent's growing season, behead the succulent to stimulate the growing points to sprout side shoots.
Clustering recommendations:
Some common succulents, such as Graptoveria 'Titubans', Sedum rubrotinctum, and Echeveria derenbergii, all easily cluster and fill their pots.
4
Old stump
Old stump refers to succulents that have grown for many years and whose lower stems have already become woody.
Huahua's tips:
Developing an old stump takes a long time. During care, water as little as possible; better dry than wet.
Succulents often die like this
GARDENING ENCYCLOPEDIA
Caring for succulents is not just about watering and sunbathing. One moment of carelessness and your succulent is dead!
1
Black rot
Black rot refers to stems and leaves turning black and rotting due to high temperature and stuffiness or bacterial growth.
Huahua's tips:
To prevent succulent black rot, you must place succulents in a well-ventilated spot, such as a balcony or windowside. If a succulent develops black rot, use scissors to cut off all infected parts.
2
Turning to water
High temperature and stuffiness or a multi-bacterial environment can also cause succulents to turn to water, usually appearing as transparent, softened leaves.
Huahua's tips:
To prevent turning to water, place succulents in a ventilated spot. For succulents that have already turned to water, remove the leaves that have turned to water. If the roots have rotted, cut away the rotted root portions cleanly.
Have you mastered today's succulent trivia?
May you soon become a succulent master
and grow super beautiful succulents!
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