How to Grow Adromischus (Water Bubble Succulents)? A Complete Guide to Care Essentials

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Adromischus succulents have always been a niche plant. They come from southern Africa, growing in rock crevices and among shrubs. Adromischus generally need plenty of sunlight along with a cool, dry environment; they tolerate partial shade, fear waterlogging, and dislike muggy, humid conditions. Most Adromischus grow during the cool season and go dormant during the high heat of summer. Next, the editor will introduce the key points for caring for Adromischus succulents.

Light: Some varieties like strong light, while others prefer scattered light and a shady environment, so you need to tell them apart clearly. From the end of May to the end of November each year, put up a shade net and increase ventilation. Apart from shading in summer, direct sunlight is basically not blocked in the other seasons throughout the year. Of course, newly potted plants should be placed in a shady spot with shading and ventilation.

Ventilation: Adromischus succulents require ventilation year-round. From June to the end of October, if conditions allow, you can run a fan to increase ventilation intensity, which can reduce the heat of the plant's potting soil.

Water: Follow the principle of "don't water until dry, and water thoroughly when you do" for watering. Avoid water accumulating in the potting soil, and do not let rain fall on them, so as to prevent root rot. They also cannot go without water for long periods, otherwise the plants will stop growing and the leaves will shrivel. From January to early March, give a small amount of water; from mid-March to the end of May, water normally; from early June to early July, give a small amount of water; from mid-July to mid-September, give a minimal amount of water or cut it off completely; from the end of September to the end of October, give a small amount of water; from early November to December, water normally. Ultimately, watering still needs to depend on the condition of the succulent.

Soil mix: Use mainly granular soil. The potting soil should be loose and breathable with good drainage. You can mix 2 parts peat soil with 3 parts granular materials such as akadama. If planting in moist soil, wait about a week and decide whether to water based on whether the weather is cloudy or sunny.

Nutrients: You can place granular slow-release fertilizer on the surface of the pot to release nutrients, providing the plant with the necessary nutrition and promoting growth. Adromischus succulents like nutrients, so they must be repotted once every two to three years to replenish nutrition.

Propagation: Adromischus propagation is mainly by cuttings, usually done during the growing season in spring and autumn. Choose a robust, plump fleshy stem, let it dry for 3 to 5 days, then insert it directly into the growing medium. You can also use thick, plump fleshy leaves for cuttings, but you must keep the leaf stalk intact. The method is to insert the fleshy leaf at an angle or lay it flat on the soil so that the base is in close contact with the soil. After inserting, keep the soil moist, and new roots will grow from the base. The specific time depends on the variety and environment; at the shortest, buds appear in about 20 days, while at the longest it takes several months. (When Adromischus succulents have plenty of water, their leaves drop very easily; you may even drop a leaf with an accidental gentle touch. In that case, you can use what is on hand and choose the dropped leaves for leaf-cutting propagation, and the survival rate is very high.)

There are a great many kinds of Adromischus, not just the original species; adding horticultural cultivars, the number is so large it is dazzling.

Next, let us introduce several aristocratic Adromischus:

Red Hare Adromischus

Sika Deer Adromischus

Divine Rhapsody Adromischus

Heart Adromischus

Seal Adromischus

Strawberry Cake

Marian Adromischus

Little Chili Adromischus

Cooper Adromischus

Starry Sky Adromischus

Martin Adromischus

In this type of plant, the shape, patterns, and color of the leaves, the shape and color of the flowers, the smoothness or roughness of the stems, and the form of the tuberous roots are all ornamental.

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