What do crested, variegated and black rot mean in succulents? You have to understand the terms to grow succulents well

Many friends around Huahua have successfully fallen into the succulent rabbit hole, but as a newbie, hearing others discuss cresting, black rot, variegation... you are left totally confused. Today, Huahua will explain those succulent-related professional names, helping newbies become succulent masters!

Succulent Care Guide

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Newbies who have just entered the succulent rabbit hole mostly only know to throw their succulents on the balcony to sunbathe. But they do not know that succulents also have the following multiple growing methods.

1

Open-air growing

Open-air growing means growing them outdoors, placing succulents outside for care. Open-air-grown succulents most easily reach their best condition.

Huahua's tip:

Spring and autumn sunlight is mild and not intense, making them the most suitable seasons for open-air growing. However, in summer when the light is fierce, you must pay attention to providing shade to prevent the succulents from getting sunburned.

Recommended for open-air growing:

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 succulents are best not grown in the open air.

2

Enclosed growing

Enclosed growing means covering the succulent with a transparent container for care. The gases produced by the succulent's own photosynthesis will turn the container into a "small greenhouse."

Huahua's tip:

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 dormancy are not suitable for enclosed growing.

Recommended for enclosed growing:

Cactus-type and Haworthia succulents are 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 places all count as bright indirect light environments.

Huahua's tip:

Bright indirect light environments are suitable for succulents that have just been potted and are in the acclimation period, as well as succulents in poor condition. A bright indirect light environment helps succulents return to normal condition.

Reminder for bright indirect light care:

Generally, unless there are special circumstances, bright indirect light care is not recommended for succulents, because a bright indirect light environment easily causes succulents to become leggy.

Succulents have various forms

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Many flower lovers entered the hobby after seeing all kinds of beautiful succulents grown by experts. These various forms also have their own special names!

1

Cresting

Cresting means that a succulent receives unknown external stimulation, abnormal meristem growth appears at the top, forming multiple growth points, and finally these growth points connect horizontally into a line, ultimately forming a fan shape.

Huahua's tip:

Cresting in succulents happens by chance, and sometimes they also return from cresting to a normal state. To maintain cresting, the normal parts need to be removed to reduce the growth advantage of the normal parts.

Recommended for cresting:

Most succulents can show cresting through leaf propagation. Among them, Echeveria 'Topsy Turvy', Echeveria 'Shinsoukan', Echeveria 'Black Prince' and Echeveria 'Perle von Nurnberg' are especially prone to cresting.

2

Variegation

Variegation in succulents refers to changes in leaf color, such as the appearance of white, yellow, red and other colors that are not the leaf's own color.

Huahua's tip:

There is seasonal variegation, in which the variegation disappears after a period of time. Of course, there is also stable variegation. It all depends on luck~

Reminder for variegated succulents:

Variegation in succulents is not always a good thing. After becoming variegated, succulents have higher requirements for the growing environment. Some succulents will even gradually become fully variegated and head toward death.

3

Clustering

Clustering means that one succulent grows multiple heads, and once they grow larger they are called clustering.

Huahua's tip:

If you want to grow clustered succulents, you can use the "beheading method." During the succulent's growing season, behead the succulent to stimulate the growth points to sprout side shoots.

Recommended for clustering:

Some common succulents, such as Graptoveria 'Titubans', Sedum rubrotinctum and Echeveria derenbergii, very easily cluster and fill the pot.

4

Old stump

Old stump refers to succulents that have grown for many years and whose lower stems have already become woody.

Huahua's tip:

Developing an old stump takes a relatively long time. During care, water as little as possible, preferring dry over wet.

Succulents often die like this

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Caring for succulents is not just as simple as watering and sunbathing. If you are not careful, your succulents will die!

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 tip:

To prevent black rot in succulents, you must place them in a well-ventilated place, such as a balcony or windowside. If a succulent develops black rot, use scissors to cut off all infected parts.

2

Rotting to water

High temperature and stuffiness or a multi-bacterial environment can also cause succulents to rot to water, usually shown as transparent, softened leaves.

Huahua's tip:

To prevent rotting to water, place the succulent in a ventilated place. For succulents that have already rotted to water, remove the affected leaves. If the roots have rotted, cut away the rotted root parts completely.

Have you mastered today's little succulent science knowledge?

Hope you become a succulent master soon

And grow super beautiful succulents!

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