Autumn Is the Perfect Time to Fatten Up Succulents

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Text and images: This Girl Is a Bit Sweet

Once summer passes, all the succulents have successfully slimmed down. If that happened to me, it would be something to be happy about, but seeing each succulent in this frail state is truly alarming, after all, once summer is over, it means winter is coming, so I can't help but think of ways to help the succulents "put on autumn fat."

When it comes to the topic of "putting on autumn fat," most people probably think it's related to fertilizing, which is why since the start of autumn, all kinds of questions about "how to fertilize" have been popping up everywhere. But fertilizing succulents is itself a very cautious matter; if you're not sure, it's best not to fertilize. After all, putting on autumn fat really doesn't equal fertilizing, but rather fattening up the succulents. Although it's the same word "fat," they are quite different. How are they different?

Most of what we commonly see on the market is nitrogen fertilizer, but this nitrogen fertilizer is a bit of a hindrance here. The problem lies in the "cytokinin" contained in succulents, whose function is just as its name suggests. Therefore, to fertilize succulents to "put on autumn fat," it's better to choose liquid fertilizer, preferably one specially made for succulents, diluted 500 times and watered into the roots, for good absorption and quick results.

From this, it's clear that fertilizing requires caution and cannot be treated the same way. So here comes the most concerning question: besides fertilizing, how else can you help succulents put on autumn fat? That would be: more sunlight, strict water control, temperature differences, and enclosed growing. Of course, the most important point is still the development of the root system, which is a long process. First, let's talk about more sunlight.

1: Don't increase sunlight too quickly

In summer, to keep the succulents alive, we pull out all the stops: shade nets, heat-insulating stickers, and so on. They didn't get sunburned, but each one turned green and ugly.

In autumn, the sunlight is not as intense as in summer. So when autumn comes, everyone restores light for their succulents. But note: after a summer of shade care, succulents cannot suddenly be exposed to full sun; the light exposure time should be increased gradually. However, friends in the south still need shade at noon. It's best to use a fairly flexible shade net, the kind you can open in the morning and pull closed at noon. Also, check the weather forecast more often and beware of the "autumn tiger" heat. As long as the temperature doesn't exceed 30 degrees, let the succulents get more sun. They aren't as weak as you think.

2: Control the amount of water; don't water onto the leaves

We all know that succulents coming through summer have relatively fragile root systems. After all, they've been in a water-cut state for so long. You can't give them a big soak right away; the roots also need a process of gradual adaptation. Heavy watering does harm and no good, and leggy growth and black rot will follow. So you must control the water, but that doesn't mean not watering at all. Water still needs to be given, otherwise how will the roots recover?

To grow succulents well in autumn, you need to control water properly. When watering, stick to small amounts given multiple times, and supply water appropriately. Don't let succulents binge. Second, when watering, be careful not to water onto the leaves, and don't water at noon. Otherwise, with sunlight plus water droplets, succulents can easily get sunburned. Try to choose evening or night for watering, because most succulents have their stomata closed during the day and generally only open at night to absorb water. As for temperature differences, needless to say, autumn itself is loved by succulents for its uniquely favorable temperature differences; you just need to pay attention to ventilation.

3: Try not to expose seedlings to full sun

If your succulents are still small seedlings when you're growing them, then the light cannot be too strong. Even in autumn, when you need to increase light, pay attention to proceeding step by step and don't suddenly increase strong light.

4: Enclosed growing

When it comes to enclosed growing, it's actually the same as temperature differences, except that it artificially creates an environment with a large temperature difference, equivalent to a simple greenhouse. However, this method is only suitable for Haworthia-type succulents, such as Haworthia cooperi. The specific method is also simple: find some transparent disposable cups, cover the plant during the day, and remove them at night.

5: Don't spray medicine during the day

If your succulents develop pests or diseases, please note that you cannot spray medicine during the day, because under light the medicine will undergo a strong chemical reaction, and the leaves will be damaged. You can choose to do it at night, and then there's no need to worry about sunburn.

To sum up the key points for fattening up succulents:

1. Create a low-water environment, but supply water appropriately;

2. First grow a good root system;

3. Fertilize cautiously;

4. Water flexibly in small amounts multiple times;

5. Appropriately increase light;

6. Start growing from the early part of the growing season; early autumn is most suitable.

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