Master the key points of sun protection for succulents in summer, so they can get through summer safely

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Photos: Curator

After the Start of Summer, temperatures begin to rise gradually, and the sun gets more and more intense. Many greenhouses have now put up shade nets. It is often said that summer is the hardest period for succulents, and friends who have brought plants through summer surely know the feeling well; losses are always unavoidable. Prepare in advance to lay a good foundation for succulents to get through summer.

Shading

Many succulents growing in their native habitats grow in rock crevices, beside rocks, or beside shrubs, so they are not fully exposed to the scorching sun all day either. The Liliaceae in particular, in their native habitats, grow entirely below the soil surface, exposing only a transparent "window" to carry out photosynthesis. Although direct sunlight is an indispensable major factor for the healthy growth of succulents, that refers to their growing season. In summer, appropriate shading is still necessary. When shading, succulents can be placed in a cool spot where sunlight does not shine directly; if the space does not allow this, a 50-70% shade net can be purchased to cover them.

In addition, if a newly purchased succulent was originally grown in a greenhouse, be sure to use a gradual approach before placing it in a spot that receives sunlight. This prevents the plant from failing to adapt to the environment and suffering heatstroke!

Ventilation

Ventilation is very important for succulents, because ventilation not only helps succulents dissipate heat and cool down, but also keeps the humidity in the air balanced. If the environment where succulents are grown has poor ventilation, in a summer with high humidity it is not only easy for pathogens to develop on the soil surface and cause the base stems and leaves to rot, further causing the root system to become diseased and die, but pest problems are also likely to occur.

Slightly widening the spacing between plants, rather than arranging them too closely together, allows ventilation to flow smoothly and reduces damage caused by stuffiness. Placing them in a staggered arrangement according to plant height can achieve a ventilating effect. If space is insufficient, it is recommended to use a fan on a low setting when humidity exceeds 50% to maintain air circulation.

Watering

Try not to water when the scorching sun is at its strongest, to avoid leaf damage; watering should not be excessive, especially for succulents. It is best to wait until the soil is completely dry, then water three to four days later. If the region you are in has a summer that is both stuffy and humid, then it is best to wait until the soil is completely dry, then water three to four days later, choosing a cool evening or night to water.

About twice a month; the amount of water given is best kept to an amount that can evaporate quickly, and it is recommended to apply it only to the soil surface around the plant, or to use the soaking method, absorbing water from the bottom of the pot, but remember not to soak for too long. In stuffy, hot weather, a fan can be used to help evaporate excess moisture.

Clean Environment

Keeping the growing environment clean can reduce diseases such as rot and spots. A summer with high temperatures and high humidity easily breeds mold pathogens, causing plants to develop rot disease, spot disease, and so on. To avoid these pathogens, remember to keep the surrounding growing environment clean and ventilated, and to clear away fallen and dead leaves. Dead leaves that fall into the pot should be picked out and discarded, because after watering, dead leaves resting on the soil surface easily become moldy due to poor ventilation.

Avoid Chemical Damage

After spraying the plants with chemicals, remember to move the plants to a cool place to prevent the intense summer sun from causing chemical damage. Sometimes pests such as aphids, scale insects, and snails are inevitably found, so whether using pesticide sprays or homemade organic pest-repellent solutions, remember to place the plants in a cool place after application, and by no means let the plants be exposed to the sun, to avoid chemical damage, that is, brown scars like burn spots appearing on the leaves. Finally, a reminder to everyone: carrying out strict water control for succulents is not mistreating the plants; sometimes giving too much water can instead cause succulent losses, so please do not give in to sympathy and water frequently!

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