Create a summer retreat for succulents like this, and you won't fear the scorching sun
Foreword
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Thanks to the author [Shelly"s C&G] for theoriginal submissionsharing
Edited and compiled by: Encyclopedia Jun
Location: New York, USA
People often say that after severe cold comes intense heat. The scene from the "bomb cyclone" at the beginning of the year, when the greenhouse was frozen for 10 days, is still vivid in my mind (please revisit the article "Ice and Fire: Two Extremes - My Exclusive Succulents, My Exclusive Greenhouse"). Since last weekend, a heatwave rare in 33 years has been ravaging more than half of North America. July has only just begun, and New York is indescribably hot. Step outside and you bring your own flames; a car turns into an oven. Under the double assault of high temperature and high humidity, the feels-like temperature has exceeded 40 degrees for many consecutive days. As I edit this article, I can hear the sharp sirens of fire trucks several streets away. It is probably another fire caused by overheated wires igniting spontaneously somewhere!
New York belongs to the northern temperate zone, with four distinct seasons and abundant rainfall. It has both severe winters and scorching summers. The climate is somewhat similar to that of Beijing, the capital, and by no means can it be considered an easy-mode area for succulents.
A succulent-loving friend in New York once joked: Although New York is not an easy-mode area, the area within 5 meters of Shelly's home is an exception. In fact, it is just that this dutiful and conscientious owner considered all sorts of things in advance when arranging the yard. After all, this is the third year of summering, so high temperatures, sudden rain, pests, black rot, and so on are already well understood.
After the lessons of two summers, I specially designed the current succulent rack. The rack must be 1 m above the concrete ground. Besides not having to bend over and tire myself out, the bigger reason is to avoid damage to the roots from the high-temperature radiation of the concrete ground, while also facilitating air convection at the bottom of the rack.
I especially like this kind of white wire mesh rack. It is actually the kind of shelf for storing odds and ends bought at a building materials store. Compared with wooden boards, its advantages are ventilation and breathability, no water accumulation at the bottom of the pots, and it does not absorb heat like black iron racks. New York has very abundant rainfall, more than double that of Beijing and Los Angeles. Especially from May to October, there is almost a sudden downpour every day. So I gave up on rain covers early on, and instead used terracotta pots and wire mesh shelves to improve the problem of water accumulation at the bottom of the pots.
Bluebird in May
Bluebird in July, still maintaining the brilliant colors of spring.
The Moon Shadow series in July still has decent recognizability, at least the garden is not full of plain green.
Sanchez cristata
Rose Queen
The whole family became porters of flower pots when they returned to China, but this summer I still cannot give up my love for the ugly terracotta pots.
After matching N beautiful pots, in the end I still let the Chihuahua live back in its original humble abode.
This year's way of placing the shade net is also a bit different from previous years: pull it as high as possible. The principle is the same as with the rack, to facilitate air flow. No matter how hot or tiring it is, in the evening I still take it down to let the succulents fully receive the baptism of the breeze and the nourishment of the morning dew.
A summer retreat cannot lack water, and neither can succulents. Their spiritual vitality comes from the nourishment of mist. Spraying water in the morning and evening lowers the ground temperature, and spraying mist high in the air lowers the heat of the air. I learned these methods when I visited a greenhouse in Arizona last year.
Aeoniums are the most brilliant and charming part of the summer succulent world. On hot days they actually close up more, taking on a rose-like form. My aeoniums are not given any particularly special soil mix; they can grow healthily just planted in sand mixed with nutrient soil.
Aeonium Jack Catlin
Cyclops
Pachyphytum is one of the best-looking succulents in summer. Whether it is the Ping Pong or the stick-leaf type, the more the sun shines, the deeper the purplish-red color on the leaves.
Afterglow is also that kind of enchantress whose color never fades in a thousand years.
Chocolate Line
Lucky as I am to have a small yard, for someone who advocates nature, establishing a harmonious microclimate in the courtyard is a very interesting and necessary task. For example, figuring out how to prune branches to shade succulents from the scorching sun; how to plant flowers, grasses, vegetables, and fruits around the periphery to absorb heat, so the yard stays cool all summer.
The west-facing wall is covered with ivy, and morning glories are planted outside the large living room window. Whether it is just psychological or not, I always feel a little cooler.
A green wall planted all over with snow peas can both absorb the sun's heat energy and relax the eyes, and also benefit a stomach far away in a foreign land.
Plant two roses to serve both as shade plants for the succulents and to bring fragrance.
Under the melon trellis is the recovery area for seedlings and injured or sick succulents. Do not underestimate such a spot. On the north side it has no direct summer sunlight, and there is a cross breeze passing through. When it rains, as long as you put two umbrellas over the trellis, they can spend the summer safely.
The unsightly packed succulents brought back 2 months ago completed their earth-shaking transformation in this recovery area.
Summer is the season to enjoy greenery everywhere. Seeing greens both deep and light like this, as a competent owner I am delighted. There is nothing more soothing than watching vigorous and flourishing vitality.
This year the epiphyllum bloomed gloriously for a whole month. In terms of care, it is simply no lack of light, no lack of water, and no lack of fertilizer.
Lily Lili, looking forward to a big transformation in autumn.
The most closely watched succulent star in my home, Echeveria runyonii
Mexican Snowball, which has appeared since the first submission, and every submission has witnessed its growth.
Hera
A hybrid of the Aeonium genus
Lipstick is a star in the succulent world in summer, both tough and brilliantly colored.
In severe winter, the greenhouse is your easy-mode area; in midsummer, the yard becomes your summer retreat! May your beauty continue forever!
Encyclopedia Jun's rambling thoughts:
ThanksEncyclopedia Overseas Succulent Friends Groupfor the submission from group owner "Shelly", letting us appreciate the colorful succulent hues even in summer. The small yard is not big but is kept in perfect order, which shows the author's care and attentiveness. Presumably this is also what everyone has always wanted: the world is so big, yet I only want a small yard. Flowers blooming all over the garden, free and unhurried, planting your favorite succulents. From then on, with flowers and grasses as companions and birds as friends. Life is short; I only wish to have such a quiet and relaxing place sooner!
Succulent culture needs you and me to promote it! Remember to share good articles more, so more people fall in love with succulents!
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