What to Do When Succulents Drop Leaves? My Rescue Method Brings Them Back to Lush Growth

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Once summer arrives, succulents develop all kinds of problems. Leaf drop in succulents actually hides clues, and each spot is a different alarm signal from the plant's body. When succulents drop leaves, you need to observe which part of your plant is actually having trouble so you can treat the right problem.

1. Roots

Check whether the roots have a problem. If it is a newly planted succulent, you need to watch whether the roots have settled in well. When repotting or transplanting, the plant has just encountered a new environment and the root system has not yet adjusted. If it is a succulent that has been planted for quite a while, you need to check whether it was overwatered during its dormant period. Heavy watering easily causes root rot. If root rot occurs, it must be replanted; too much moisture will cause the leaves to fall off at a touch. So when watering, be sure to pay attention: besides watering only after the soil has dried out completely, you must also avoid letting water accumulate in the pot.

2. Pathogens

Some fungi parasitize the base of the leaves. Observe the undersides of the fallen leaves. If you find that on the underside of each fallen leaf, near the end close to the growth point, some black or dark brown material is attached, that is mold. In more serious cases, the base of the fallen leaf is directly rotting, with a soft, mushy condition. If that is the case, then the leaf drop is caused by a fungal infection. At this point you should use an external fungicide, such as mancozeb, to spray the leaves. When spraying, be sure to spray evenly, especially making sure to spray into the gaps between the leaves.

3. Natural Shedding

Metabolism. This type generally starts from the roots, with the leaves gradually softening and withering, but they do not fall off easily, making it easy to identify. Every plant has its own growth pattern, and every leaf is the same. Leaves cannot be immortal; they will always go through the process from birth to aging. If you find that the older leaves on your succulent are going through a process of wrinkling, shriveling, and finally losing water to become a crisp, hard dry leaf, that is metabolism. However, metabolism is not necessarily a normal phenomenon either. If the metabolic rate is obviously much faster than the rate at which new leaves grow, and the metabolic rate is also very fast, then it is worth being alert.

4. Moisture

Leaf drop also occurs when there is a lack of water, but if leaves are only dropping and not wrinkling, then it is not due to lack of water. If you take watering by variety seriously, you will never finish studying it. In autumn, winter, and spring, the day-night temperature difference is large. As winter approaches, I choose to water once every 1-2 weeks, watering thoroughly depending on the situation; in summer, and when spring and autumn are on the hot side, water less, about once a month, a small amount, without watering thoroughly. Some varieties dry out easily and need occasional misting or moving to a shaded area.

5. Ventilation

More ventilation helps the soil dry out, and dryness is the environment succulents like; ventilation and dryness can also reduce the chances of bacteria harming the plants. In addition, summer is stuffy and hot, and low air pressure easily causes succulents to drop leaves. Especially for succulents such as bear's paw (Cotyledon tomentosa) and peach egg (Graptopetalum amethystinum), you must provide plenty of ventilation.

6. Avoid Direct Sun Exposure

In hot, high temperatures, succulents easily drop leaves when exposed to direct sun. For planted succulents, they must get plenty of sun, but of course plenty of sunlight does not mean direct sun exposure. Especially in midsummer, succulents fear direct sun exposure the most. In summer, you should set up shade cloth for succulents, or move them to another place with less intense sunlight, to avoid direct sun exposure.

Solutions

In summer, succulents must have their watering reduced, roughly by about 1/3 compared with spring. In summer, watering must be done in the morning or evening; never water at noon, otherwise it easily leads to root rot and leaf drop.

In summer, succulents must be given ventilation by opening windows. If there is really no way to open a window, then it is best to use a fan to blow toward the succulents more, to keep them in a ventilated environment.

If you find that black rot has appeared in the root system of a succulent, then take the succulent out of the pot, clean up the root system, and cut off the rotted parts; if black rot has appeared in the stem of the succulent, then cut off the entire rotted stem.

If you find leaves that have turned to water, remove and discard them promptly.

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