Succulents bought by beginners in spring that are doomed to die in summer, now is the time to pay attention
In spring, because succulents establish themselves in their pots quickly after purchase, you can go on a buying spree without restraint, and at the same time the plants look their best, so it is the happiest season for succulent lovers. However, everyone must be on guard against the coming summer, especially friends in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai. Our predecessors, stepping over the corpses of succulents, summed up precious lessons one by one for us. As beginners, what we need to do is stand on their shoulders to learn from and make use of these lessons, so as to avoid more succulent casualties, since after all, each one is a life.
Next, Xiaojingzhi Life will list for you which succulents belong to the "doomed to die in summer" category and are difficult to bring through the summer. If you haven't bought them yet, then congratulations, and nip the idea in the bud early. If you have already bought them, then hurry up and take measures to help your succulents get through the summer.
Doomed to die in summer TOP1: Echeveria 'Vincent Catto'
Echeveria 'Vincent Catto' (Echeveria 'Vincent Catto'), Crassulaceae, Echeveria genus, known as one of the "three giants of black rot", likes a dry, cool and sunny environment, is not tolerant of waterlogging, and has very high requirements for ventilation. It is the succulent most prone to problems in the southern summer.
How to get through the summer: ventilation + a bright place + an air-conditioned room (only ensuring there is no high temperature above 32 degrees) + absolutely no watering for the two months of midsummer. But then, it's impossible to keep the air conditioner on 24 hours a day, right? The answer: when going to work, put it in a small box and take it to the office...
Doomed to die in summer TOP2: Echeveria secunda var. glauca
Echeveria secunda var. glauca (Echeveria secunda var. glauca), Crassulaceae, Echeveria genus, the second of the "three giants of black rot", is a succulent relatively prone to black rot in the southern summer. The way Echeveria secunda var. glauca dies: black rot spreads rapidly from the roots to the top, and side shoots can be saved.
How to get through the summer: ceramic pot + gritty soil + no watering, more ventilation, no direct sun exposure, and an air-conditioned room if necessary.
Doomed to die in summer TOP3: Echeveria derenbergii
Echeveria derenbergii (Echeveria derenbergii), Crassulaceae, Echeveria genus, a very small Echeveria that easily forms clusters, the third of the "three giants of black rot", afraid of heat and humidity, goes dormant during the high temperatures of the southern summer, and once poorly controlled may leave you with nothing but an empty pot. The way Echeveria derenbergii dies: turning to mush, black rot from the roots.
How to get through the summer: shading + ventilation + water control, and a fan if necessary.
Doomed to die in summer TOP4: Sedum clavatum
Sedum clavatum (Sedum clavatum), Crassulaceae, Sedum genus, also known as Otome Botan. It likes a cool, dry and sunny environment and well-drained sandy soil, and has a very strong fragrance. The common way it dies in the southern summer is turning to mush, blackening from the top; even after beheading, its stem still turns to mush and softens within a short time, and it cannot come back to life.
How to get through the summer: shade net + water control + ventilation.
Doomed to die in summer TOP5: Bear's Paw
Bear's Paw (Cotyledon tomentosa Harv.), Crassulaceae, Cotyledon genus, native to Namibia in Africa, likes a dry, warm and sunny environment, is not cold-tolerant, afraid of waterlogging, needs cool conditions in summer, is drought-tolerant, and afraid of intense direct sun. Bear's Paw easily dies during the high temperatures of summer. The common way it dies in the southern summer: leaf drop and shrivelled stems.
How to get through the summer: increase ventilation + reduce damp heat + bright indirect light + water control + do not let water touch the leaves when watering.
Doomed to die in summer TOP6: Cotyledon orbiculata var. dinteri
Cotyledon orbiculata var. dinteri (Cotyledon orbiculata var.dinteri), Crassulaceae, Cotyledon genus, likes a cool, well-ventilated and sunny environment. The common way it dies in the southern summer is likewise leaf drop, with the stems becoming shrivelled and then dying.
How to get through the summer: increase ventilation + reduce damp heat + bright indirect light + water control + do not let water touch the leaves when watering.
Doomed to die in summer TOP7: Graptopetalum blackberry
Graptopetalum blackberry (Graptopetalum blackberry), Crassulaceae, Graptopetalum genus, somewhat similar to the Echeveria genus, though because the leaf shapes of the two differ greatly, they also look quite different in style. The common way Graptopetalum blackberry dies in the southern summer is black rot appearing from the base of the stem.
How to get through the summer: ventilation + shading + little or no watering.
Doomed to die in summer TOP8: Echeveria agavoides 'Romeo'
Echeveria agavoides 'Romeo' (Echeveria agavoides 'Romeo'), Crassulaceae, Echeveria genus, also called Taurus. In a sunny environment, the whole plant of Romeo turns bright purplish-red, and the rosette is relatively large. It goes dormant when temperatures are high, and if poorly controlled it will die, with a summer mortality rate as high as 70%. The common way it dies in the southern summer: rot in the core, with the leaves quickly falling apart, too fast even to behead.
How to get through the summer: ventilation + shading + water control, and in extreme cases you can consider pulling it out and letting it dry out to get through the summer.
Doomed to die in summer TOP9: Graptopetalum pachyphyllum
Graptopetalum pachyphyllum (Graptopetalum pachyphyllum Rose), Crassulaceae, Graptopetalum genus. Native to northeastern Mexico, it is one of the rare fragrant succulents. Its leaves are light blue, oblong, covered with an obvious layer of white powder, with slightly pointed, slightly red tips, and once coloured up the leaf colour can even become slightly pink and slightly orange. The common way Graptopetalum pachyphyllum dies in the southern summer: the stem softens and rots black.
How to get through the summer: shading + ventilation + water control.
Doomed to die in summer TOP10: Echeveria amoena "Microcalyx"
Echeveria amoena "Microcalyx" (Echeveria amoena "Microcalyx"), Crassulaceae, Echeveria genus, a small to medium-sized variety, relatively easy to grow into an old stem, and once coloured up the leaves are thick and fleshy, with orange-red leaf tips, and the leaf colour can also take on orange, very charming. The way it dies: the same as Graptopetalum pachyphyllum.
How to get through the summer: the same as Graptopetalum pachyphyllum.
The above only lists some common varieties that everyone finds relatively difficult to bring through the summer, and is certainly not comprehensive, but it can be seen that getting through the summer always comes back to the same three topics: shading, ventilation and water control. A shade net and an electric fan are indispensable, and it's best to stock up more carbendazim too. At this time, let them stretch out and etiolate if they must; it's better than dying. In addition, propagate more in spring; with more siblings, the odds of having some stock left are always a bit higher, aren't they?
Compiled and published by Xiaojingzhi Life.