How to care for succulents in summer? A complete guide to witness the value of life

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Thanks to the author [Liu Guofeng] for theoriginal submissionsharing

Edited and compiled by: Baike Jun

Location: Boshan, Zibo, Shandong

Meeting You Is My Destiny

 Aegean Sea

Yangjin Lanze 

00:00/03:26

It is early summer, and the scorching dog days have not yet arrived, but succulent lovers everywhere are already complaining endlessly. Indeed, the muggy heat of summer is a major natural enemy of succulents. How to get through summer safely has long been an ever-timely hot topic.

In the previous article, "A Different Firework, a Different You and Me! Yet We Love Succulents All the Same!", there was also some summer care knowledge. Today I will talk about the same old topics with everyone again, reviewing once more some of the problems that arise during the summer and ways to avoid them. After reading the care advice, Old Liu will tell everyone a story!

During the process of getting through summer, have succulent lovers also encountered problems like these? Dropping leaves, turning to water, black rot, deformed leaves, spots, rampant pests, and so on, a whole series of problems. Actually, when these problems appear, they are not necessarily beyond saving. When these problems occur, the first thing is to understand the cause, then treat according to the symptoms.

Many succulent lovers say that once summer arrives, it is time to stop buying, and this is indeed a good way to play it safe. But looking at other people's stunning succulents, they cannot help but feel itchy with desire, yet they fear the devastation of high temperatures, suffering in agony as they waver back and forth. Today we will not wax lyrical about succulents, but specifically analyze the problems.

First, let's talk about common problems. A succulent suddenly drops leaves, and multiple layers of leaves turn yellow. In most cases, this is because something has gone wrong with the roots.

First, carefully check whether the stem has black rot caused by wound infection. If not, then decisively dig it out and check the roots. There are a great many cases like this. Succulent lovers often fall victim and ask Old Liu what is going on. When they learn there is a problem with the roots, some succulent lovers say: "My soil isn't wet, and there's ventilation, so how could there be a root problem? If the roots are fine and I dig it out, aren't you cheating me!" But there is no other problem to explain why this phenomenon is happening.

In the end, the succulent lovers who encountered this situation all became convinced. The result was that the dug-out roots were dry and rotten, and some even had no root hairs left at all. In a situation like this, the entire plant can no longer transport nutrients and water through the roots, so the leaves are consumed at an accelerated rate, losing their supply of fresh moisture, unable to metabolize, and also causing large amounts of waste to accumulate inside the body, blocking the transport system and forming necrosis. The necrotic wound surface is the weakest spot, extremely vulnerable to fungal invasion, which then leads to black rot.

When root black rot occurs, it easily creates an illusion, making people mistakenly think that lack of water has caused the rapid consumption of leaves, so they keep adding water, yet the leaves start dropping again. People are baffled and cannot figure it out, never realizing that the roots began rotting long ago.

[Remedy]: To minimize losses, handle it step by step. First, clean away the necrotic roots. If there is still a problem, use a blade to cut away the necrotic bottom of the stem little by little until a fresh cut surface appears. Then place it in a ventilated spot with diffused light to dry the wound (generally expressed in data: for every 1 millimeter increase in the diameter of the cut surface, add one day of drying time) until the wound heals and forms a dry scab. Then pot it in moist soil and place it in diffused light.

For rooting, you can also use water to induce roots, or use a half-and-half mixture of vermiculite and sand, moistened, and insert it to root. After rooting, transplant it. This is the basic way to handle the problem. Of course, a small amount of leaf drop or drying out is not entirely due to the above problems, because in summer's high temperatures water evaporates quickly, and normal consumption is also possible. A proper quick soak of the pot can relieve the symptoms.

There is also the problem of leaves turning to water. The causes can roughly be divided into two types: excessive water causing muggy dampness and fungal infection as a precursor to black rot, and exposure to blazing sun causing the leaves to be steamed and turn to water. The former is handled the same way as above; for the latter, first remove the leaves that have turned to water, and maintain ventilation and shade. When succulent lovers encounter problems, they should make judgments according to different situations and use the appropriate handling methods.

Aeonium 'Blushing Beauty'

Aeonium 'California Censer Plate'

[Pest Control] Summer is the season when pests break out. If pest prevention was not done well in spring, leading to rampant pests, do not panic. Once pests such as mealybugs, lycaenid butterflies, red spider mites and others are found, just use medication promptly to kill them. Common medications for mealybugs: Huahuashen, Jieqiaoling, Jie Bizhi, methidathion, alcohol (for emergency symptom relief, not a cure for the root cause), and so on. First, dilute in the correct ratio, spray the parts above the soil surface and the gaps at the base of the leaves to kill mealybug larvae. Then soak the pot in the medicated water to kill the eggs hidden in the soil, solving the hidden danger in one go.

[Important Reminder] If you find large numbers of ants appearing near the windowsill, balcony, or flower pots, this proves that mealybugs may be present. When ants eat mealybug larvae, they carry eggs as food reserves. During this process, some eggs will inevitably be dropped along the way, causing mealybugs to spread everywhere and rapidly expand. Once this happens, quickly spray thiamethoxam (a highly effective, low-toxicity pesticide for killing scale insects, available in the Baike micro-shop and on Taobao) around the flower pots and at the bottom of the pots, or use ant bait with a higher safety factor.

Other common ones include lycaenid butterflies and red spider mites. Generally, simple physical control is to install insect-proof netting, or use chemical control. Abamectin has a special effect on lycaenid butterfly eggs. If you see lycaenid butterflies fluttering among the succulents, immediately spray diluted abamectin solution (pharmacology: lycaenid butterfly eggs hatch in five days, and after the pesticide is absorbed by the plant it remains effective for seven days, forming a "poisonous succulent"; the hatched larvae die with just their first bite, achieving complete elimination). Red spider mites are pests with astonishing reproductive capacity. Once discovered, you must immediately spray a comprehensive acaricide, generally medications such as pyridaben, chlorfenapyr, and so on.

Aeonium 'Round Leaf'

Aeonium 'Zwartkop'

Actually, getting through summer is not a matter of succulents waiting to die. As long as reasonable prevention and care are ensured, they will all get through summer safely. To repeat the major elements of getting through summer: ventilation and breathability, shade and water control, pest and disease control. Many succulent lovers choose to grow them outdoors in spring, summer, and autumn, but this requires choosing succulents with good roots and robust plants. For succulents just acquired in spring, because they enter summer not long after settling into the pot and their roots are not yet well developed, for these it is best to give them special treatment and take good measures for shade and rain protection.

[Ventilation and Breathability] Soil with good breathability is generally mainly composed of lots of particles. If garden soil is chosen for planting, then you must try to keep the soil dry in summer. Some people will say, doesn't dry garden soil, once compacted, become even less breathable? After dry garden soil compacts, air will circulate through the cracks, and in a dry state it will not cause the roots to become stuffy and rot. To prevent the roots from drying out due to long-term dryness, you can soak the bottom of the pot to replenish a certain amount of water and keep the roots active. The ability of plant roots to penetrate soil is beyond our imagination, so there is no need to worry excessively about soil compaction.

As for ventilation and breathability, aside from the soil factor, it also refers to air convection. Everyone must be clear on this point: it is not about a fan blowing hard at the leaves. That is not ventilation, that is the executioner that forces the leaves' breathing pores to close. This will put a breathing burden on the roots and achieve the opposite of what is desired. If you must use a fan, it is best to blow below or above the plant to create air circulation, and be sure to avoid blowing directly at the leaves!

Aeonium 'Red Fuji'

Aeonium 'Christmas'

[Shade and Water Control] For outdoor growing in summer, it is best to provide shade when the temperature exceeds 35 degrees, keep the potting soil on the dry side, and prevent prolonged rain exposure. This avoids causing conditions like steaming above and boiling below, which lead to turning to water and black rot. Water control is not about cutting off water, but about lengthening the watering cycle and replenishing water appropriately.

The preferred way to replenish water is a quick soak of the pot, with half the bottom potting soil absorbing water. Because the water-absorbing properties of succulent lovers' soil vary, you can judge the soaking time according to water absorption. Soil with lots of particles that absorbs water quickly generally only needs a soak of about ten-plus seconds; soil that absorbs water slowly can be soaked a bit longer, as long as it is not completely soaked through. This follows the principle of roots growing toward water, making the roots seek distant moisture, a method to activate well-developed roots, and it works every time! This was mentioned in previous articles; everyone be sure to remember it. The picture shows a demonstration of the soaking water level; succulent lovers can refer to it. But no matter when you water, you must maintain ventilation and avoid blazing sun!!! Old Liu's casual sketch, succulent lovers only need to understand the principle, please don't criticize the drawing!

[Pest and Disease Control] This issue has already been mentioned above, and succulent lovers can look it up and refer to it.

In summary, the basic problems of getting through summer are like this. If you care for them strictly according to these points, then as far as getting through summer goes, it is relatively safe!

Aeonium 'Carnival'

Many succulent lovers worry that succulents acquired in summer will not survive the scorching heat and will give up the succulent world. They have long been drooling over the succulents at Old Wang's next door, which are so gorgeous, hating this accursed summer, hating Hou Yi's clumsy hands back then, hating everything they can hate 108 times over. But what use is that? Things you do not do will forever be watched from afar in fear, and you will never carve out a bloody path toward visible light. To prevent succulent lovers from seeing a succulent they fancy in summer, not daring to buy it, missing a good opportunity, and then regretting it, today Old Liu offers advice and analysis so that you can still happily buy, buy, buy in summer!

Aeonium 'Bronze'

First, when acquiring them, ask the seller to choose succulents with robust roots. Be cautious about water-forced succulents and tender seedlings, and do not fall for bargains. When you receive the succulent, check whether the roots are damaged, let it dry thoroughly, then pot it in moist soil and place it in an environment without direct sunlight, with good ventilation, and at a temperature relatively below 30 degrees. If you are sure the potted succulent's roots have no wounds, after three days you can soak the pot thoroughly with a large amount of water (appropriately adding fungicide to the water) and maintain ventilation and diffused light care.

The most important point is that for succulents that are "bound to die in summer," you can completely use hydroponics to solve the problem. First rinse the roots clean with clear water, then soak them in carbendazim for a few minutes and take them out, and place them in a ventilated, cool place for about two days. Then choose a suitable bottle or jar, fill it with water, and put the succulent's roots in through the bottle mouth, with the roots just touching the water surface. Change the clear water about once every ten days, and pay attention to observing changes in the plant. The whole process needs diffused light to serve the succulent's daily photosynthetic metabolism.

There is another good method for succulents in summer. Based on long-term experiments, Old Liu found that succulents planted with 80 percent river sand and 20 percent nutrient soil not only root quickly and have good condition, but most importantly, the occurrence rate of pests and diseases is relatively low to a certain degree. Everyone can also try it, but the disadvantage of planting succulents with sand is that it has good heat absorption, so it absolutely must not be exposed to direct sun. Otherwise it will cause the roots to become hot and damp and be stuffily damaged!!!

The basic common problems have now been explained to everyone. Next, let's talk about the matters of us succulent growers.

Every succulent grower has some unrecognized sacrifices, some admirable strengths, and has had stories that are either hilariously absurd or deeply moving. Today I will share a short passage about what Old Liu experienced...

Since Old Liu established the Old Liu Succulent Garden Cooperative, he has received the attention and support of countless succulent lovers, and only then has he achieved today's results. During this time, while getting along happily with succulent lovers, he also came into contact with all kinds of people, leaving behind far too many stories...

On May 10, Old Liu got up early as usual. After making a round of inspections in the garden, he began a busy day. While he was changing the water for the koi in the pond, unexpectedly from behind, outside the fence, came a voice: "Guofeng, I'm your succulent friend Qiyi Guoguo!" He turned around abruptly and looked toward the sound. Outside the fence stood a man and a woman, smiling as they looked at Old Liu.

Aeonium 'Green Cashmere'

Aeonium 'Green'

So Old Liu hurriedly got up to greet them. At the time, Old Liu actually had not clearly heard who the other party was, and only thought they were succulent lovers coming to look at succulents, so out of courtesy he quickly stepped forward to welcome them. After they entered the garden, they chatted for a while. Old Liu suddenly understood; previously Qiyi Guoguo had said in the group that she would come to help when she had the chance. Old Liu had even said she only talked and did not act, but in the end she really came today! At this point some people may ask, the garden welcomes and sees off many people every day, so why specially mention these two? Do not be impatient, the reason will be told next!

Sister Qi, Qiyi Guoguo, came accompanied by her husband. They got up at four in the morning and drove several hundred kilometers from Hebei, taking more than five hours of tiring travel to reach Old Liu's place. This is enough to show their love for succulents and their trust in Old Liu. While chatting with them, Old Liu finished changing the water and briefly tidied up the packages to be shipped that day. It was already near noon, so he hurriedly invited them down the mountain to his home. Conditions in the mountains are limited and there was nothing good to entertain them with, so they all went together to a farmhouse restaurant in the village, both as a welcome and as a small gesture of hospitality as the host. But it was this lunch that gave Old Liu a reason to write this article...

Aeonium 'Castro'

Aeonium 'Blushing Beauty' preparing to go dormant

Aeonium 'Purple Cashmere' cristate

Aeonium 'Carnival' cristate

Aeonium 'Halloween' cristate

Aeonium 'Splendens' cristate

Aeonium 'Rugby Rose'

During the meal, Old Liu answered the phone several times and hurried back to the garden to receive succulent lovers visiting the garden. Only after seeing off the last wave did he settle down at the dining table. While eating and chatting, Sister Qi's husband, Brother Liu, incidentally mentioned that his wife was in poor health. Old Liu looked carefully at Sister Qi. On her kind, smiling face there did seem to be a trace of frail hardship, but her eyes were optimistic and bright, not at all like someone in poor health. So he casually said, maybe it is because she usually gets too tired painting pots, and her cervical spine is not good?

But Brother Liu's answer was surprising: "Your sister, two years ago, was diagnosed with that kind of illness. After several rounds of chemotherapy and dialysis, last year they found the lesions had spread. Just last night she was still in the hospital getting an IV. She made up an excuse and slipped out to come here!" Brother Liu paused, then said: "Your sister just likes succulents. Although the ones she grows are mainly green, every one is very healthy, and even a big man like me has come to like these little sprites. In her spare time, she paints pots, and I help her take care of the succulents and buy wood to make flower stands myself. Look, these are all pots your sister painted, and this flower stand is also something I made for her at home. The workmanship is a bit rough, but as long as your sister likes it, that's fine!" As he spoke, he pointed things out to Old Liu on his phone.

At that moment, Old Liu secretly observed the expressions of the two, and both revealed a full sense of joy and accomplishment. Perhaps this is the true happiness that succulents bring them! "Actually, no one wants to run into this kind of thing, but when it happens there is nothing anyone can do. Fortunately, your sister is especially open-minded and optimistic. As long as there are pots to paint and succulents to grow, she does not worry about anything, and instead her health has kept improving. Because we live upstairs, watering and sunning are inconvenient. Usually we use a cart to go through the elevator, and under your sister's direction, push cart after cart downstairs to water and sun them. People who do not know might think we are moving house!" "Whenever I have free time, I accompany her to visit local greenhouses. Even if we do not buy anything, we still go take a look. Before, she always had a wish to come see you, see Second Brother, and see with her own eyes the succulents Old Liu grows. I was thinking, as long as she is happy, even if I had to go up to the sky to pick stars, I would accompany her. This trip was not arranged in advance; it was just a look and a tacit understanding. The two of us, without prior agreement, both said, let's go, let's go see Old Liu!" As Brother Liu spoke, he kept smiling and looking at Sister Qi from time to time, and what he got in return was Sister Qi's smiling response. That kind of smile is the best kind of response to the one you love most!

After hearing Sister Qi's story, Old Liu was silent for a long time. Then he spoke: Sister Qi, Brother Liu, let's not say anything else. I give Sister Qi a thumbs-up! Being able to have such a mental outlook and optimistic attitude under these circumstances is worthy of everyone's admiration! To put it bluntly, cancer is frightening, but it is not one hundred percent fatal. A good mood, an optimistic attitude, and medication are absolutely the key to recovery. The air here is good, which is helpful for recuperation. Since you have come this time, stay a few more days. But Sister Qi and her husband said they would stay one night and had to hurry back the next day, as they still had many things to do, and did not want to disturb them too much.

And so, with one remark after another, it was unknowingly past four in the afternoon, so the group got up, left the restaurant, and returned home. Sister Qi and her husband, perhaps afraid of disturbing Old Liu's family, wanted to find a hotel to stay in and come back the next day. This was absolutely not allowed. They had come from so far away, how could they stay outside? So Old Liu arranged a room for them at home. At dinner, the two of them went off on their own to the restaurant, ordered dinner, and brought it home. Old Liu scolded them, but they kept saying: "You are so busy every day and still have to entertain us. That is already a big disturbance. How can we always eat and stay for free?"

Actually, in today's society no family lacks food or clothing, but from a small detail one can see the plain sincerity of Sister Qi and her husband.

Lily Lily, a fragrant succulent of the genus Aeonium in the Crassulaceae family

Original Jade Ice

Sometimes people tend to complain about too much unfairness and become negative and pessimistic, finding excuses for all kinds of failure to work hard. But think about Sister Qi. Was heaven fair to her? Did she complain about life and complain about unfairness? No. Not only did she not, she faced life even more positively and optimistically. In ordinary days, besides cooperating with treatment, she likes growing succulents and painting, and these have become a required course in her daily life. Because succulents have let her truly comprehend the principles of life and the value of life? She treats life with optimism, and I believe life will also repay her with the happiness she deserves.

After dinner, sitting around chatting, the laughter that filled the room made everyone present forget all the bad things that existed. The care of succulents, the story of Sister Qi being cheated when she bought succulents before, and Second Brother's occasional mischievous actions made the whole conversation atmosphere very good. As the saying goes, "Is it not a joy to have friends come from afar?" Considering Sister Qi's health and fearing she would not rest well, the topic was ended amid lingering interest...

Aeonium 'Halloween'

The night passed peacefully. The next day Old Liu rose early. While tidying up in the garden, Sister Qi and the others had already come to the garden from their home down the mountain, first to pick some succulents to take back, and second to say goodbye. After making their selections, Brother Liu wanted to pay, and Old Liu said he would give them as gifts, but the couple firmly refused, saying that if he did not take the money they would not take them. Old Liu knew that Sister Qi was a plain person who valued quality of life, and the succulents she picked must be things she loved. If he insisted on giving them as gifts, it might really make her lose these beloved succulents. So he named a symbolic price and smoothed the matter over. Actually, to Old Liu, a few succulents really are nothing, but to collector succulent lovers, the succulents they like are priceless. Sometimes succulents meet people with affinity, and when there is true affinity, how can money replace it? Meeting because of succulents, gathering because of succulents, this is the most beautiful encounter in life.

Aeonium 'Red Variegated'

Aeonium 'Red Leaf'

Although it was only a brief half-day of contact, it was like meeting old friends. Though reluctant to part, they could not be kept by force. There will be plenty of time ahead, and we will surely meet again. Here I also wish Sister Qi a speedy recovery. At the same time, the gate of Old Liu's Succulent Garden is always open for you. Remember our promise: come to Old Liu's home for the New Year this winter!!!

Aeonium 'Sunny Umbrella'

Haworthia cooperi can be said to be a favorite of office workers. It needs no more sunlight and is simple to care for. But with proper diffused light and a certain level of humidity, Haworthia cooperi will also change color!

Little Wild Rose

Nümeiyue

Gemini

As he watched Sister Qi and her husband drive away, Old Liu kept his arm raised and waving for a long time before lowering it. In his heart he was thinking that nowadays people do not worry about food or clothing. As long as they are willing to work and endure hardship, materially speaking they lack nothing. But what people often lack is a kind of faith, a faith in believing in the future, and that kind of optimistic attitude. There are countless people in the anti-cancer ranks; Sister Qi is just an ordinary one among them, but her spirit represents thousands upon thousands of sick people. That is an invisible force pulling them to regain health and write stories of nirvana and rebirth again and again...

Because of this gathering, it more vividly confirmed that succulents are healing sprites. They give people far, far too much spiritual encouragement, and also give people far, far too much happiness and hope. I hope the warmth of this succulent destiny can continue to be passed on, letting the world be filled with hope and love!

Finally, Second Brother closes the thread, representing that hope continues.

No matter how much suffering and how many setbacks our lives have, please remember that only by giving a hundredfold effort can you possibly overcome all resistance. I hope more people can pass on life's positive energy, let beauty fill the world, and let love warm you, me, and everyone else! In our lives we must meet many people, do many things, and endure many hardships. We can cry and say: "It's bitter, it's tiring!" But after wiping away our tears, we must still move forward with a smile, because the road ahead is still long, and our hope lies ahead. If we give up, we will pass by the happiness that is about to arrive. Work hard, everyone. Do not fear not succeeding; only fear not trying! Come on!!!

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

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