What is the correct way to give succulents sunlight in summer? Do this and you'll get it right

The growth of succulents requires light, and ample light can also bring out their colors and give them that coveted look, with a compact rosette shape. Once summer arrives, especially during the hot dog days, shading succulents is still something you need to do. Today let's talk about the correct way to give succulents sunlight in summer, so they can enjoy the light without getting sunburned, and also avoid leggy growth in summer.

What time period of light should be blocked in summer?

You could say shading is needed during the hottest part of the day, especially after exposure to the sun. If you don't shade your succulents, the leaf temperature can rise by more than ten degrees, which very easily leads to sunburn and turning to mush, and seedling succulents can easily die off too. So the scorching summer sun needs to be blocked, while the milder sunlight should be let through for your succulents.

So on overcast days you don't need to shade them, and on days with strong sun you can pull a shade cloth over your succulents from 11 o'clock to 16 o'clock.

My succulents have always been grown outdoors, can I skip shading them?

First, it depends on your growing environment. If it's on a rooftop, terrace or similar place with no buildings around to block the sun, the temperature will be especially high, and not shading your succulents is very risky. In such an environment, try to choose a shade cloth with slightly stronger shading power. Second, it depends on the variety. Succulents that love light, like the Echeveria 'Guanghan Gong' (Echeveria cante), still need shading in summer, which can prevent the leaf stomata from closing and the succulent from suffocating and turning to mush.

Do succulents grown on a balcony still need shading?

Again, the same rule applies: check whether your succulents can get sun during the hottest part of the day. Especially with windows closed, the temperature in the space will be even higher, so either shade them, or let your succulents cool down with air conditioning or a fan.

How should newly planted succulents get sunlight?

For the first 2 or 3 days after planting, don't give succulents sunlight for the time being; put them in a ventilated, shady spot. Around the 3rd or 4th day, they can receive light in a place with faint scattered light. After about a week, you can gradually increase direct sunlight, sunning them for 30 minutes in the sun, and try to increase the direct sunlight time slowly.

During this period, don't water your succulents heavily; water a little at a time but more often, to encourage root growth, and don't forget to give your succulents ventilation.

Are your succulents still grown outdoors in summer? Where do you put them? What time period of sunlight do you usually let your succulents get? At how many degrees do you shade your succulents?