Succulent care requires caution; one wrong step and all you are left with is an empty pot
The hot summer is almost here, and many flower lovers are once again caught in a love-hate relationship with succulents. They had just gotten them looking good in spring, and then in the blink of an eye they died over the summer - it really breaks your heart! So which varieties are the hardest to get through summer? Come and take a look with Huahua!
Echeveria derenbergii 'Tiny' - certain death in summer!
Complete Guide to Flower Growing
When it comes to succulents that always die in summer, the first one Huahua has to mention is Echeveria derenbergii 'Tiny'! Many flower lovers sigh that they buy it, it dies, they buy it again, it dies again - they fall into an endless cycle!
Summer survival guide:
1. Repot and change the soil
Before summer arrives, it is best to repot Echeveria derenbergii 'Tiny' once, switching to a breathable ceramic pot with good drainage. For the potting soil, mix coconut coir and perlite at a 1:1 ratio, then add a few grains of compound fertilizer, and getting through summer will be completely stress-free.
2. Ventilate often and water less
It is best to place Echeveria derenbergii 'Tiny' in a cool, ventilated spot on a north-facing balcony, and bring it back indoors immediately before it rains. If there are consecutive sunny days, water once every 7-10 days; if there are consecutive overcast and rainy days, stop watering immediately.
Graptoveria 'Titubans' - the black rot girl
Complete Guide to Flower Growing
Among flower lovers who grow succulents, there is a saying that Graptoveria 'Titubans' is called the black rot girl, which shows just how hard it is to get this variety through summer!
Summer survival guide:
1. Ventilate often and water less
Black rot in Graptoveria 'Titubans' is basically caused by pathogens, especially after watering when ventilation is poor - that is guaranteed black rot! Place it in a cool, ventilated north-facing balcony or indoors, and you must control your hands and water less!
2. Behead and take cuttings:
Once black rot is discovered, dig out the affected plant immediately. After beheading, keep the healthy upper part and throw the rest away, because it can no longer recover. Wait for the wound to dry, then repot it to grow new roots.
Greenovia aurea - water it once and it is a goner!
Complete Guide to Flower Growing
Although Greenovia aurea goes dormant in summer, Huahua thinks this is when it looks its best. But if you cannot control your hands, water it once and it will definitely be a goner!
Summer survival guide:
1. Pay attention to ventilation
Ventilation is essential for getting through summer. During the day, you can place it on an open north-facing balcony or windowsill; at night, place it in an air-conditioned room indoors, or just aim a fan at it.
2. Shade and cut off water
In summer, do not expose Greenovia aurea to direct sunlight. Starting in late spring, gradually reduce the amount of watering. You can use the quick soaking method: dip the pot in water briefly and take it right out, just enough to keep the potting soil slightly moist. If the temperature stays above 25°C, cut off water entirely.
Echeveria 'Tippy' - the black rot king!
Complete Guide to Flower Growing
Every time Echeveria 'Tippy' is mentioned, Huahua's heart skips a beat! It is said that in southern regions, Echeveria 'Tippy' is also called certain death in summer! Many flower lovers hold deep resentment: they get it in autumn and it looks beautiful, it dies in summer, and the next autumn they buy it again...
Summer survival guide:
1. Garden soil makes it grow vigorously
You must never pamper Echeveria 'Tippy'; the less you fuss over it, the better it grows. For the soil, it is best to use garden soil and no specially mixed soil is needed, so it can grow more and more vigorously and get through summer safely.
2. Increase ventilation
Echeveria 'Tippy' tends to form clusters, and without ventilation, watering easily leads to poor airflow around the base, and damp, stuffy heat is the easiest way to cause black rot. So in summer, you must place it somewhere ventilated by a windowsill, or use a small fan to blow on it. Water only when the leaves feel soft to the touch.
Echeveria 'Little Red Riding Hood' - dies as soon as summer comes!
Complete Guide to Flower Growing
If we talk about the ranking of succulents that always die in summer, Huahua thinks Echeveria 'Little Red Riding Hood' definitely ranks in the top three! It feels completely inexplicable: it was perfectly fine the day before, and the next day it immediately kicked the bucket. When you talk about it, it is all tears!
Summer survival guide:
1. Ventilation is a must
A stuffy, hot environment easily causes Echeveria 'Little Red Riding Hood' to die of black rot, so in summer you must pay attention to ventilation! Whether it is opening the windows or aiming a fan at it, ventilation must be ensured!
2. Water less
In summer, if water accumulates in the pot and it is also stuffy and hot, then Echeveria 'Little Red Riding Hood' is like sitting in a sauna, and it will definitely kick the bucket! You can choose to mist the plant every evening, just keeping the potting soil slightly moist.
Swedish Magic Man - the water-rotting king!
Complete Guide to Flower Growing
Every time Magic Man is mentioned, Huahua remembers the fear of being dominated by it every summer! This Magic Man turns to mush from excess water far too easily; with the slightest carelessness, it completely turns to water and dies!
Summer survival guide:
1. Pay attention to cooling
Magic Man is extremely afraid of heat, especially now when summer temperatures can reach 35-40°C. With the slightest carelessness, the whole Magic Man turns to water. In summer, you must pay attention to cooling it down. Placing it in a ventilated spot by a window, moving it to an air-conditioned room, or even using a fan to cool it down are all acceptable.
2. Avoid scorching sun
Magic Man fears heat, so in summer it absolutely must not be exposed to the sun. You can place it in a ventilated spot indoors to receive scattered light, and after summer is over, take it out into the sun for a bit.
Echeveria 'Frosty Morn' - black rot disease!
Complete Guide to Flower Growing
Previously Huahua did not think Echeveria 'Frosty Morn' was hard to get through summer, but later many flower lovers reported this to Huahua, so Huahua decided to write about it!
Summer survival guide:
1. Ventilation and sun shading
The summer sun is harsh, so shade must be ensured. If you grow it on a south-facing balcony, you can pull up a double layer of shade netting; if conditions allow, growing it on a north-facing balcony is best!
2. Water less
If your Echeveria 'Frosty Morn' drops leaves at the slightest touch, it must be because you watered too much. After summer begins, Echeveria 'Frosty Morn' enters dormancy, so at this time you must reduce watering to 2-3 times a month. Water slowly along the edge of the pot, just enough to keep the plant from drying out.
Echeveria 'First Love' - drops leaves!
Complete Guide to Flower Growing
For the last spot among the succulents that always die in summer, Huahua gives it to Echeveria 'First Love'! It is just too prone to black rot, which made Huahua simply toss it into the yard and not want to bother with it at all!
Summer survival guide:
1. Shade and ventilate
If you want Echeveria 'First Love' to get through summer safely, you must provide shade in summer. You can give the succulent a sunshade umbrella, or pull up shade netting, and it must be placed somewhere with north-south ventilation to avoid black rot.
2. Control your hands and water less!
In summer, if the temperature is especially high, Echeveria 'First Love' will enter a brief dormancy. At this time you must control your hands and keep the potting soil slightly on the dry side. Never water too much, otherwise your Echeveria 'First Love' will definitely kick the bucket in no time!
Besides the 8 types Huahua introduced,
what other succulents do you flower lovers know that are hard to get through summer?
Why not leave a comment below and tell Huahua!
?