The succulent dormancy period has arrived, and if you do nothing, they won't survive 3 more days

Succulents in summer

In late May, the highest temperatures in many regions are above 30 degrees, succulents are having all kinds of problems, and the "battle" of getting succulents through summer has already begun

Why succulents fear summer

Summer temperatures are high, and some succulents enter dormancy and stop growing. The sun exposure and watering that were fine before become unbearable, and combined with the high heat, they die at the slightest slip!

What dormancy looks like in succulents

Generally, when the temperature stays above 26 degrees for 5 consecutive days, succulents basically enter dormancy. The normal signs are leaves closing up and old leaves drying out. Some people keep watering, which leads to root rot, black rot and mushy, translucent leaves

Do all succulents go dormant?

Not all succulents go dormant. According to their growth patterns, they are divided into spring-autumn types, summer types and winter types. Apart from summer types, which still grow in summer, spring-autumn and winter types almost all go dormant in summer!

Spring-autumn and winter types

Spring-autumn types: grow in spring and autumn, dormant in summer

Winter types: grow in winter, dormant in summer

Common ones include: Sempervivum arachnoideum (hens and chicks), Qianchuan (Crassula perforata), Fo Zhu (Senecio rowleyanus, string of pearls), Yi Nü Xin (Sedum pachyphyllum), mountain rose (Greenovia aurea), Hei Lü Fa Shi (Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop'), Fu Niang (Cotyledon orbiculata), Ai Ran Jin (Aeonium 'Sunburst'), Lan Bai Shi Lian (Echeveria 'Laui') and so on

The signs of dormancy differ among succulents. Mountain rose, egg rose and Te Yu Lian (Echeveria runyonii 'Topsy Turvy') simply fold their leaves closed, a signal that is even a little beautiful

Others have it worse: they stop growing internally without you knowing, and you keep sunning them and watering them as usual, and they immediately die on you!

If you want your succulents to get through summer safely, take a quick look at the following tips:

1. Avoid direct sunlight

Most people know this, but shade doesn't mean complete darkness. Without light, succulents easily get deformed and leggy, so it's best to use a shade net

Seen from inside it looks like this, exposing just a bit of the position below

Or move them indoors to a spot with bright, indirect light

2. Ventilate and cool down

In summer, no matter how shady the spot, it's hot. Without ventilation it's stuffy and hot, and succulents definitely won't last 3 days. The roots rot right away, turning mushy and translucent or black and rotten, beyond saving!

You must ventilate, ventilate, ventilate. If you really can't find a ventilated spot, you can put the succulents up high, where the air flows better

Usually open windows and doors more for ventilation. Such a small action can keep your succulents alive one more day

3. Spread volcanic rock on the pot surface

Volcanic rock is fairly light and has many small pores, so it dissipates moisture and heat very well

During dormancy, all life activities of succulents weaken, and breathable potting soil ensures the roots' feeble breathing. Succulents already planted are not suited to repotting, so you can add a layer of volcanic rock on the soil surface

4. Strictly control watering

In summer, "even people get thirsty easily, so succulents must be even thirstier." Many flower lovers get stuck in this misconception, watering as soon as they see the pot is dry

At this time succulents simply can't take in water. The water accumulates in the potting soil, and within 2 days the roots rot!

It's best to reduce watering gradually: water once every 5-7 days at around 26 degrees, once every 7-10 days at around 30 degrees, and stop watering above 35 degrees. Don't worry if the succulent looks dry, as long as it still has colour it's OK

When watering, do it in the early morning or evening when the temperature is lower. If watering at night, first touch the pot and water once it no longer feels hot

Some flower lovers think the succulent is both thirsty and hot, so they put a few ice cubes in the pot to cool it down and quench its thirst. Huahua can only say "bold move"! Huahua hasn't tried this method yet

5. Clean up dead leaves in time

For diseased and dead leaves, gently pull them off with tweezers to prevent rot and bacteria, and to avoid spreading disease

6. Stop fertilising and giving extra meals

Once they enter dormancy, stop thinking about fertilising and fattening them up. Survival first~

Summer types

Summer types: do not go dormant in summer, and some even grow faster!

Common varieties include:

Other common varieties such as Qing Xing Mei Ren (Pachyphytum 'Little Beauty'), Tao Mei Ren (Pachyphytum oviferum, moonstone) and Qian Fo Shou (Sedum sediforme) have no obvious dormancy in summer, though it's not yet certain how well they grow in summer~

Summer is the growing season for summer-type succulents. They need plenty of light, water and fertiliser to grow, otherwise you'll have to wait a long time after missing this season

1. Plenty of light

If summer types don't get enough light, they immediately grow leggy and can't be saved. That ugly look makes you not even want them

In summer, June to August has the highest temperatures. Apart from the hottest period from noon to afternoon (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.), these succulents can be sunned directly. The more sun, the more beautiful the colour and the thicker the leaves

Be careful to shade them during the hottest period at noon to avoid scorching; or move them indoors to a spot with bright, indirect light. Don't move them straight into a shady room, as the sudden temperature drop is something succulents can't handle either

2. Water appropriately

Summer-type succulents are generally the most drought-tolerant succulents, but in the growing season their water needs increase. Water once every 3-5 days, in the early morning or evening when the potting soil temperature is low

Don't use water that's too cold. Since the pot and soil are at the same temperature as the environment, suddenly pouring cold water shocks the roots. It's best to use a spray bottle, which not only raises air humidity but also cools things down a little

Note that you must not water cactus from the top, as it will cause it to collapse

3. Avoid rain

Summer-type succulents fear rain. If yours have been kept on a balcony or in a courtyard, be careful not to let them get rained on in summer: first, it's too much of a shock, and second, it causes waterlogging damage

4. Cool down above 38 degrees

With global warming now, July and August come close to 40 degrees. Even people can't take it, let alone succulents

So once it's above 38 degrees, quickly move these succulents indoors to a fairly bright spot

5. Apply light fertiliser

For summer-type succulents in the growing season, it's best to fertilise once every half month to ensure nutrition, besides buying professional liquid fertiliser and compound fertiliser

The residue from pressing rapeseed, sesame and soybeans can also be used as fertiliser after air-drying. Crush it and sprinkle 2-3 g into the pot about every 10 days

Summary

There are many succulent varieties, and we flower lovers are spread all over the country, so every household's situation is different. Everyone should observe in time and respond to specific problems specifically!

Another wave of high temperatures is about to begin

Flower lovers with succulents at home

Get moving right away