Learn the four diagnostic methods of observation, listening, inquiry and palpation in succulent care to easily judge plant health

After keeping succulents for a while, we gain some understanding of their habits and can see their condition at a glance. Through observation we can tell whether a succulent is healthy, and by touching we can tell whether it lacks water.

Observation

Observation is simply looking. Whether a succulent lacks water can be seen from its leaves: plump, lively leaves mean a normal state; wrinkled, dry, flat leaves mean it lacks water. Through observation we can also tell whether a succulent is sick: black rot and turning to water can both be spotted by observing its condition.

This is the state of lacking water

This is the normal state

This one has turned to water

This one has black rot

Listening

Listening mainly refers to the succulent soil. When the succulent mix is well prepared and not infected, it has the fresh earthy fragrance of normal soil. If the succulent soil is not breathable, or the humus in it has not fully fermented, the soil will have a foul smell.

Inquiry

Inquiry is actually a kind of communication. As we care for our succulents every day, we come to understand their language; they also communicate with us in their own special language. As long as you look carefully and feel with your heart, you can sense the joys, anger, sorrows and happiness of succulents.

Palpation

Palpation is a kind of diagnosis. We can touch a succulent's leaves with our hands to know whether it lacks water; we can insert a toothpick into the succulent soil to find out whether it is dry; we can cut open a succulent leaf with a small knife to find out whether it has black rot.