Succulents on the balcony can still get sunburned to death? Check these 3 care points now

Source: the internet

Author / Editor-in-chief

Editor / Succulent Plant Hub

For balcony succulent growers, the editor-in-chief has always held deep respect. Why do anything else when you choose to grow succulents? It really tortures people without mercy. The editor-in-chief has decided to save you all!

Envious of other people's terraces every minute and every second, wanting to steal other people's succulents every moment - is this your normal state? Especially you balcony growers~

Poverty limits so many things for us! Even the succulents have to suffer along with us. Thinking of this, tears of bitterness flow. But!!! Balcony growers can also grow beautiful succulents, and quite a few premium succulents have come from them too. It is time to test your growing skills, so cheer up.

First, the editor-in-chief will talk about some problems that balcony growers often complain about, and let's tackle them one by one!

Actually, leggy growth in succulents is not necessarily related to the balcony environment. The main reasons are overwatering and lack of light. Especially when light is lacking and the amount of water given is still large, then the leggy growth of your succulents is truly thanks to you.

Sufficient light can prevent succulents from becoming leggy. When growing succulents on a balcony, the first thing to solve is the problem of glass blocking ultraviolet rays, so open the window during the day and let the succulents bask in the sun. This works better!

Besides the reasons of too much water and lack of light, if the soil fertility is too high, it may also cause leggy growth. In rainy weather, if the environment is stuffy and humid, soil with excess nutrients will release too much fertility and burn the roots, and will further encourage leggy growth in succulents.

As for succulents that have already become leggy, it is very difficult for them to return to their original plant shape. We can only try to increase light, control water, or behead them, planting the beheaded offsets in new soil. The top part of the succulent can regain a compact appearance.

Most succulent plants have high requirements for light and ventilation. If the light on the balcony can reach 8 hours (per day), the succulents grown will definitely look very beautiful. Without 8 hours of light, at least 3 to 4 hours is appropriate.

Balcony growers are clearly at a disadvantage in terms of light, so getting succulents to develop their colors also seems very difficult. At this time, we need to rely on external help. Picking stars and the moon is nothing - we need to create a little sun for our succulents!

Fellow succulent lovers should already know what the editor-in-chief is talking about, right? Yes, it is grow lights! There are mainly two types of succulent grow lights popular now: one is metal halide lamps, and the other is LED lamps.

In an article the editor-in-chief shared before, "What should you do when succulents lack light? Supplement it, of course! The long-awaited grow light experience post is finally here...", this was explained in detail. Now here is a rough mention:

Metal halide lamps are the light source closest to sunlight, especially suitable for most Sedum plants with demanding light requirements. They can bring out color, control shape, and produce good condition, but their effective range is relatively small, making them suitable for intensive growing.

When using them, note that the distance should be a bit farther because they generate a huge amount of heat. But it is precisely because of this huge heat output that they can create a certain temperature difference effect.

For LED light sources, under the same energy consumption, the effective area is far larger than that of metal halide lamps, but their coloring effect on Sedum is relatively poor, and the shape-control effect is still acceptable. They are more suitable for growing Conophytum, Lithops, and Haworthia (twelve-volume genus).

Among these, Haworthia is not tolerant of strong sun, so if the LED is placed too close, it will still get sunburned. In addition, using LED light sources for Sedum seedlings is also a good choice.

The most suitable care method for balcony growers is still controlled growing: small, very cute, and most importantly, not taking up space. This is especially true for some succulent lovers who have a soul that wants to buy succulents, but whose balcony helplessly cannot bear it.

If you like small succulents, you can buy some thumb pots or some small flower pots to grow succulents. Thumb pots take up very little space. A place that could originally hold one flower pot can hold multiple thumb pots, so we can grow more succulents. Moreover, using thumb pots to grow succulents also helps us control their shape.

Thumb pots are relatively small, and the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot is still relatively large. After watering, the water dries quickly. Succulent leaves that tend to become plump will become much fuller, and the leaves will also curl inward, greatly improving their appearance.

It is also very important to make reasonable and effective use of the balcony space for placement. If you want all succulents to get sun, smaller or low-growing clustered succulents should be closest to the balcony edge, followed by taller succulents, while some succulents with lower light requirements can be placed closer to the indoor side, where scattered light is enough.

Furthermore, if you really have excellent energy, physical strength, and mental capacity, you can regularly change their seats so that all receive equal share of rain and dew~ Let them receive even and nourishing sunlight, and carefully observe the growth changes of the succulents. On the side that often faces the sun, succulents will lean toward the sun.

Balconies also differ as north, south, east, and west. Now let's talk in detail about the care points for each different orientation~

However, during summer survival, succulents on a north balcony can boldly be grown outdoors. This is because the position of a north balcony can avoid the strongest sunlight of the whole day, so there is no need for shading at all, and the succulents can constantly enjoy the natural ventilation effect. But they cannot be exposed to rain for long periods.

As for when to pull up the shade net, it does not need to be too early. Try to wait until the temperature stabilizes above 30 degrees before putting up the net. After all, once the shade net is set up, it is also inconvenient to take it down again.

Regarding the choice of shade net, the shading rate of 3-pin density is about 55 to 60%, that of 4-pin density is 70 to 75%, and that of 6-pin density is about 85 to 90%. Generally, 3-pin or 4-pin is enough. After all, succulents still need light even during dormancy.

Regarding balcony growers getting through summer, the editor-in-chief also has a little bit of advice~

Varieties that go dormant in summer generally begin to enter dormancy in June and should be placed in a ventilated place with scattered light. Seedlings can be sunned in the early morning, but be cautious after 9 o'clock.

For plants in complete dormancy, give water once a month. They only need a soil environment with slight moisture. Adjust specifically according to your own situation. The editor-in-chief has seen some succulent lovers firmly state that they absolutely do not water. Of course, if the conclusion is drawn from your own experience, that is naturally better and will suit your own succulent-growing environment more.

Four or five days before the plum rain season begins, you can give the succulents one thorough watering, but avoid extreme weather. After three or four days of outdoor ventilation, move them into an enclosed balcony, and afterward open the windows for a few hours every day for ventilation.

Throughout the summer, watering should be done in the cool evening. After watering, letting them catch some breeze is most suitable~

Speaking of this, ventilation in summer is also particularly important. Opening windows more or blowing a fan for the succulents are commonly used methods. Moving air more easily evaporates water and lowers the temperature.

In addition, the breathability of the soil cannot be ignored. A reasonable loose and dense structure can ensure the growth of the plant's root system, without forming clumped and hardened soil masses that affect the roots or accumulate too much water and affect root respiration.

Usually, the higher the proportion of granular soil, the slower the plant grows, the lower the soil nutrient content, and the weaker the water retention, making it suitable for balcony growers.

In addition, the pairing of pots and soil also has a little trick. For pots with poor breathability, use soil with good drainage and aeration; for those with good breathability, use soil that retains water and fertilizer. Those with drainage holes can be paired with a bottom net to prevent soil loss and some pests.

Finally, I hope all balcony growers can grow beautiful succulents. If you have better care methods, you can also leave a comment at the bottom~

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