Succulent Metamorphosis: Peaceful Days on a Shanghai Balcony

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Thanks to the author [Kaikouxiao] for theoriginal submissionsharing

Submission date: April 13, 2018

Edited and compiled by: Baike Jun

Location: Shanghai

I have always loved growing flowers and plants. Once, by chance, while browsing a flower market with a colleague, succulents unexpectedly caught my eye and walked into my life, thus beginning more than 3 years of wonderful time accompanied by these little succulents.

I grow succulents regardless of price or variety; as long as I like them, that is enough.

It is an emotional anchor, an attitude toward life, peaceful days.

I love the quiet, understated and delicate beauty of Haworthia.

Two years ago, the first Haworthia cooperi var. truncata I bought, and I had no idea how to control watering, so it was all shriveled and shrunken.

This one really can grow. In nearly 3 years it has become a glorious mother hahaha. Recently we had a rare stretch of good weather, so it is a bit dry.

Haworthia cooperi 'Sakura Crystal', worthy of the name. No matter the season it stays translucent. It does not demand much light, a good Haworthia for beginners.

More than two years, a single head grew into 3 heads, super satisfying.

The dusty, unremarkable large-leaf Haworthia 'Loulan'.

Paired with a hand-painted pot.

After two and a half years of growth, it is about time to repot again.

Epang Palace

Also grown for two years, it does not grow fast.

Haworthia cooperi 'Pandeng'

Grown for more than two years, the pot is full, planning to repot in autumn.

Not sure which Haworthia cultivar this is.

Haworthia 'Giant Red Line'

It has a lightbulb feel.

Haworthia cooperi 'Black Muscle'

When I first started growing it I had no experience, and several leaves rotted.

I absolutely love the imposing presence of Haworthia maughanii, but it grows especially slowly, a variety that trains your patience.

Haworthia 'Purple Lightning'

Haworthia maughanii 'Extra White'

Haworthia maughanii 'Snow Country'

Because I changed phones, the transformation photos below are not complete, awkward haha.

Haworthia 'Snow Scene'

Haworthia 'Snow Scene'

Huijuan

Haworthia 'Mamian Shou'

Haworthia cooperi 'Black Muscle'

Suzhou Haworthia cooperi variegated

Sharing my experience growing Haworthia:

Light: Grown on a balcony, from the first ray of morning sun until 3 pm. Because of the double-layer glass, I feel the light is not enough in winter, so I added a full-spectrum grow light.

Watering: When I first started growing Haworthia, I first placed a pot with no plant next to the pot with the plant (borrowed from an online post; this method is super suitable for beginners, recommended). Same soil, same light, same watering. Every week I dug out the soil from the pot with no plant to observe the moisture changes in the soil, then observed the changes in the plant next to it. I found that when the potting soil was dry to about 2/3 of the way down, I watered, watering thoroughly, except on very hot days. Later I also bought a detector to watch the plant's moisture and light changes on my phone. Anyway, just all kinds of tinkering.

Root growing: Whether Haworthia is grown well or not depends on whether the roots are grown well.

My method one: Seedlings are generally planted in small black square pots. I found that small black square pots are excellent for rooting. Only after the roots grow well do I move them to maughanii pots or purple clay pots.

Method two: I bought a large sealed box online. A layer of sand is spread on the bottom of the sealed box, and the planted plants are placed on the sand (simulating the sand tray method of a greenhouse). In this season, water thoroughly once every two weeks. If there is continuous sunny weather, water appropriately by replenishing water on the sand in the sealed box.

Seasons: In the magic city's spring, autumn and winter, just control the moisture well and pay attention to ventilation. The summer temperature in the magic city is so high it makes you dizzy. Ventilation, ventilation, ventilation, air conditioning and fans all together, and do not fuss over appearance, as long as it stays alive that is enough.

Soil mix: My soil mix is simple. For seedlings, the ratio of grit to peat is 6:4; for larger plants, the ratio of grit to peat is 8:2. The grit includes akadama, pumice and Kiryu sand. For seedlings, 1-3 mm; for larger plants, 3-6 mm.

I am a newbie, without any rare varieties. I am constantly summarizing, learning and practicing. Experts, please do not roast me.

Haworthia 'Kangping Shou'

I love the adorable cuteness of Adromischus.

Adromischus 'Seal'

The year before last, during the high-temperature season, I moved it in and out, accidentally knocked over the pot, and several leaves broke off. But every cloud has a silver lining: now there are two growth points, it is double-headed.

Adromischus 'Little Chili'

No wonder so many people like it. The real thing is much prettier than the photo, super cute *^o^*

Adromischus cristatus

This one I originally thought was Adromischus 'Seal', haha, a shriveled Adromischus, grown entirely in peat.

Repotted last autumn, now using 3.7 grit soil.

Last year I also became obsessed with painting pots.

Euphorbia 'Iron Armor Qilin', here is a close-up of a hand-painted pot paired with a succulent, does it not suit it perfectly (⊙o⊙) oh

Black-and-white style, one of my great loves.

It suits any succulent.

Cartoon landscape series.

Finally, to close, the Wangwang I painted to welcome the New Year. I wish everyone smooth sailing in the prosperous year, and at the same time wish Baike Jun's official account better and better. Thanks to Baike Jun for sharing, thanks to my family for their support and tolerance, and thanks to everyone for your company.

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This article has beenexclusively authorizedby the author. WeChat official account: Succulent Plant Encyclopedia (ID: duoroubaike). The content of the article does not represent the views or stance of the official account.

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