How to care for succulents in July? These care tips you must know

July is the hottest month of the year, with climate characteristics of high temperature, stuffiness, and humidity. This environment is extremely unfavorable for the growth of most types of succulents, so this month's management priority for succulents is ventilation and cooling.

Agave family plants such as Agave desmettiana, Agave americana 'Marginata', Agave parryi, and Agave potatorum; most types of cactus such as golden barrel cactus, Ferocactus peninsulae, Mammillaria, and Echinopsis, as well as cactus family plants such as Stenocereus and Neoraimondia;

Euphorbia family plants such as Euphorbia obesa, Euphorbia milii, Euphorbia caput-medusae, Euphorbia 'Spring Peak', and Euphorbia lactea 'Variegata'; Apocynaceae plants such as desert rose and Dorstenia; and Asclepiadaceae plants such as Pseudolithos and Caralluma, all "summer-growing type" succulents, are still in their peak growing season this month.

Aloe family plants of the genus Sansevieria such as Sansevieria 'Wokin' and Sansevieria 'Dinosaur'; Crassulaceae plants such as Sedum rubrotinctum and Crassula 'Jade Necklace', which are "intermediate type" succulents growing in spring and autumn, grow slowly or basically stagnate;

while most varieties of Aizoaceae succulents such as the genus Lithops and the genus Conophytum, as well as caudiciform plants such as South African elephant's foot, Oxalis, and Oxalis latifolia; Crassulaceae plants such as snow lotus, mountain rose, and red small clothing; and Aloe family plants such as Obesa and jade fan, all "winter-growing type" succulents, completely stop growing.

This month's management can be carried out according to different species and differences in cultivation environments, but no matter what type of succulent, all must avoid heavy rain and prolonged rain, and require good ventilation, so as to avoid plant rot caused by water accumulation.

"Summer-growing type" succulents in their peak growing season can be watered fully this month. Especially on sunny days, because evaporation is high, water must be replenished in time to meet the plants' growth needs. Watering in the early morning is best, and evening is also fine.

But watering should not be done at noon when the temperature is highest, otherwise it will not only be unfavorable for root absorption, but will also harm the roots. Watering should follow "do not water if not dry, water thoroughly when watering." Both water accumulation in the potting soil and prolonged drought are unfavorable for plant growth.

"Intermediate type" succulents grow slowly and need little water, so watering should be reduced, and keeping the potting soil slightly moist is enough.

As for "winter-growing type" succulents, since they completely stop growing, watering should be strictly controlled. In particular, Aizoaceae succulents such as Lithops and Conophytum, whose leaves are extremely succulent, can even be cut off from water completely, otherwise the plants can easily rot and die.

Most types of "winter-growing type" and "intermediate type" succulents need shading. For home cultivation, they can be placed on the inner side of a balcony or in a bright indoor spot, or under flower shade or tree shade in a courtyard, but care must be taken to protect them from rain.

Those cultivating in greenhouses can open the greenhouse on all sides to facilitate ventilation and cooling, while still keeping plastic film on top to prevent rain, and put up shade netting to avoid scorching sun exposure. If conditions permit, exhaust fans or electric fans can also be installed in the flower house to strengthen ventilation and avoid plant rot caused by stuffiness and humidity.

Crassulaceae succulents with relatively brilliant leaf colors, such as Sedum rubrotinctum, fire festival, and sunset goose, although growing slowly this month, should still be placed in a sunny spot for care. This can make the leaf colors bright and vivid, giving them higher ornamental value.

Most varieties of "summer-growing type" succulents can be placed outdoors in a spot with ample light and good ventilation for care.

For some more delicate varieties, avoid strong direct sunlight at noon, and plants that have been kept indoors or in other places with insufficient light for a long time should not suddenly be taken out into the scorching sun.

Otherwise they may be burned on the surface by the fiercely hot summer sun, forming ugly scars, and for Lithops or seedlings of other types, they may even be scorched and lose their vitality.