Identifying and Managing Succulent Dormancy to Effectively Prevent Root Rot

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Succulents, in their places of origin, have developed a physiological habit of an annual fixed dormancy or semi-dormancy period in almost every variety to adapt to the environment. Because varieties differ, their dormancy periods are sometimes in summer, sometimes in winter, and a few varieties in both summer and winter. Even though they have "moved" to foreign lands and reproduced for ten or eight generations, or even thousands upon thousands of generations of offspring, this habit remains "stubbornly unchanged." Because of this habit, management during this period differs from management during the growing period. If they are treated "all the same," succulents are prone to poor growth, or even rot and death, causing failure or loss. Therefore, identifying the growth dormancy period of succulents and managing them accordingly during the corresponding period is crucial for growing and caring for succulents.

Identifying the Growth Dormancy Period of Succulents

Identifying the dormancy period and semi-dormancy period is easy for experienced professional growers, but for amateur enthusiasts it seems somewhat "tricky." In fact, when succulents are dormant, a series of physiological changes occur within them, which will inevitably be expressed on the outside. As long as you observe carefully and attentively, see the essence through the phenomena, and judge based on changes in certain characteristics of the plant, you can identify them.

Characteristics of the Succulent Dormancy Period:

Observe body color: 1. Leaf color is dull and lusterless. 2. The leaf color of the whole plant is basically uniform. 3. Lower leaf color changes, or the whole plant changes color. 4. The color of stem tips and branch tips is basically uniform. 5. Fascinated and monstrose varieties have a uniform color throughout the whole plant.

Observe the root system: 1. The color of the root tip and the middle section of the root is basically uniform. 2. The root tip and the middle section of the root show mature root structure, and the diameter of the root tip gradually decreases. 3. There are no obvious new roots at the root area.

Observe growth state: 1. Central leaves: In pointed-leaf types, leaves become wider and stretch outward; become shorter and flat-topped; in wide-leaf types, leaves extend outward. 2. There is a small amount of leaf drop, and withering appears at leaf tips or leaf apexes. 3. Complete dormancy, the whole plant drops its leaves, and in some varieties the stem above the soil withers. 4. Stem tips and branch tips age, thicken, and form an obtuse angle. 5. Plant growth stagnates.

Characteristics of the Succulent Growing Period:

Observe body color: 1. In pubescent leaves, the color of new leaves is lighter or darker than that of old leaves. 2. In hairless leaves, old leaves are smooth and glossy, and new leaves are fresh, tender, and brightly colored. 3. The color of stem tips, branch tips, and the middle sections of stems and branches is either darker or lighter, forming two color tones. 4. Fascinated and monstrose varieties show obvious differences in color between the top and the middle-lower part.

Observe the root system: 1. The color of the root tip and the middle section of the root differs, being either darker or lighter. 2. The root tip has tender tips 3~5 mm long, and the diameter is greater than that of the middle section of the root. 3. There is a large number of new roots.

Observe growth state: 1. Central leaves: In pointed-leaf types, leaves are narrow and long, uneven; in wide-leaf types, they close toward the center or curl inward toward the center. 2. There is no leaf drop, leaf withering, or similar phenomena. 3. Stem tips and branch tips are fresh and tender, gradually tapering to an acute angle. 4. The plant is full of vitality.

Management of the Succulent Growth Dormancy Period

When succulents are in the dormancy period, the active tissues within the plant move slowly, and functions such as absorption, synthesis, conversion, and release of nutrients and water decrease or even stop, so the plant stops growing. During this period, the following key measures should be taken:

1. Water and fertilizer management: For watering, do not water during complete dormancy, and keep the soil dry: during general dormancy, keep the soil moist; during semi-dormancy, water as appropriate. For fertilizer, regardless of which type of dormancy, stop fertilizing to avoid fertilizer damage and root rot.

2. Temperature control: Because succulent varieties differ, their temperature requirements during the growing period vary, but during dormancy their temperature requirements are very similar. Practice has proven that the most suitable temperatures are 25~32°C for summer dormancy; 2-5°C for winter dormancy; and 7~10°C for the few that are sensitive to cold.

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