How to cool down succulents in hot, muggy weather to keep them thriving

When succulents are in their vigorous growing season, that is, spring and autumn, adequate light is essential, but growers may have noticed this problem: at midday the temperature is very high, sometimes reaching over 30 degrees, and for succulents this carries a certain risk.

In summer, beware of long hours of high-temperature exposure; the tissue cells of succulents are thick and release heat slowly, making leaf sunburn very easy. In other seasons, full sunlight helps the plants grow. Many succulents prefer shade, such as Haworthia and similar plants; the tender green translucent ones need to be protected from sunburn. During the plum rain season or the drizzly Qingming period, this is a high-humidity time, so succulents should be given appropriate shade; in hot, muggy weather, moving succulents back indoors to a cool, ventilated spot for care can also effectively prevent problems.

For watering, water only when dry and water thoroughly. After watering, do not expose them to strong sun; place them in a low-light, cool spot. A temperature of 15°C~28°C is most suitable, and 5°C~35°C is the limit the plants can tolerate. Ventilation is very important; in the hot, muggy summer, increase ventilation at night. Keep the soil well aerated and draining, and not prone to clumping; granular soils such as akadama and kanuma, combined with media such as pine bark, volcanic stone, peat and vermiculite, are best.

In daily care, how often should you water? If it is the peak growing season of spring or autumn, usually water once every 3-5 days, but if these days are very sunny and quite dry, you may need to water once every 2-3 days; if it keeps raining these days, then you may water only once every 5-7 days or even longer. This is directly related to the size of the pot, the depth of the pot, the coarseness of the potting medium, rainy or clear weather, whether the plant is in its dormant period, and whether it is tropical or temperate.

So personally, I think it cannot be explained clearly in one simple sentence exactly how many days apart to water. In general, we can follow the principle of "don't water if not dry, water thoroughly when completely dry" for watering. "Water thoroughly" means watering until water comes out of the bottom of the pot. You can also water according to the plant's needs; when it is thirsty, the leaves will be a little soft, and if you observe carefully and often, you will be able to feel it.

What is commonly called "cutting off water" in summer actually applies only to some succulents; plants still need moisture, so in the high heat of summer, extend the watering interval to once a month, with a small amount being best. This lets the soil retain at least a tiny bit of moisture. Succulents growing in the wild also rely on moisture in the ground soil to get through summer, so they can survive for several months or even half a year without rainwater.

This is a gathering place for succulent enthusiasts, sharing succulent care tips; you are welcome to follow and exchange ideas.