October Succulent Care Essentials: This Is the Month That Makes Your Succulents Beautiful

October's climate is cool and pleasant, with a large temperature difference between day and night, making it a great season for succulent plant growth.

Aizoaceae's "winter-growing" succulents such as Frithia pulchra, Monilaria obconica, Conophytum bilobum, Lithops optica, and Lithops pseudotruncatella; Crassulaceae's Saussurea involucrata, Sedum clavatum, Echeveria 'Togen' (Echeveria agavoides), and Greenovia aurea; Hyacinthaceae's Bulbine and Othonna; and other "winter-growing" succulents. Crassulaceae's "intermediate-type" succulents such as Echeveria and Aeonium 'Zwartkop' (Black Rose) and Crassula ovata 'Hummel's Sunset' are all growing vigorously. Most species of Aizoaceae's Lithops, Conophytum, and Argyroderma are in full bloom.

But Agavaceae, Cactaceae, Apocynaceae, Euphorbiaceae and other "summer-growing" succulents gradually slow their growth, and basically stop by the end of October.

In addition, the climate difference between the south and north is quite large this month,Succulent care must not only pay attention to the differences between types, but also be carried out according to the different climate characteristics of each region.

Because "winter-growing" and "intermediate-type" succulents are in their vigorous growth period, they can be watered thoroughly to meet their growth needs, but the soil must not become waterlogged, so as to avoid root rot."Moist but not waterlogged" is the best choice.

For Aloeaceae succulents such as Haworthia cooperi (jade dew), Haworthia maughanii, Haworthia truncata, and Haworthia retusa that like a certain amount of air humidity, they can also be kept in a transparent glass fish tank, or the top of a transparent drink bottle can be removed and the plant covered with it, to create a local micro-environment that is moist but not stuffy and has good air circulation. Whether a fish tank or a drink bottle, it should be colorless and transparent to increase light transmission,while the small glass greenhouses that have become popular among some enthusiasts in recent years have an even better effect.

For "summer-growing" succulents, watering should be controlled to make the plants firm, which is beneficial for overwintering. If there is continuous rainy weather, no matter which type of succulent, watering should be reduced, and flowers kept outdoors should be given attention for drainage and waterlogging prevention.

For Crassulaceae plants such as Echeveria chihuahuaensis, Aeonium, and Echeveria 'Hakuhou', as well as Aloeaceae plants such as Haworthia maughanii and Haworthia retusa; and Agavaceae plants such as Agave 'Huishan', Agave 'Jiaxie', Agave 'Jixiangtian', and Agave 'Jixiangguan' with rosette-shaped growth,it is necessary to prevent water from lingering near the central growing point of the plant, so as to avoid heart rot, which in severe cases can even cause the entire plant to rot away.

Dioscoreaceae's South African turtle back (Dioscorea elephantipes), Hyacinthaceae's spring grass (Albuca spiralis), and Crassulaceae's "winter-growing" succulents such as Saussurea involucrata, Echeveria chihuahuaensis, Echeveria 'Mihuo Zhixiao', Echeveria 'Togen' (Echeveria agavoides), and Aeonium 'Zwartkop' (Black Rose);

Crassulaceae's "intermediate-type" succulents such as Crassula ovata 'Hummel's Sunset', Crassula 'Falling Sunset', Crassula obliqua 'Truncata', and Pyracantha are in their growth period, and can be fertilized as appropriate according to the variety. For Lithops and some other succulents that grow relatively slowly, although they are also growing, their nutrient requirements are not high, and the nutrients in the soil can meet their growth needs, so there is no need to fertilize.

Agavaceae's Agave 'Jiaxie' and Agave 'Leishen', Euphorbiaceae's Euphorbia ambovombensis, Euphorbia decaryi, Euphorbia waringiae, Euphorbia obesa, and Euphorbia 'Jinqilin', Hyacinthaceae's Bowiea volubilis, and Cactaceae's Gymnocalycium 'Xintiandi', Ferocactus 'Haiwang', Lophophora williamsii (peyote), and Mammillaria 'Jinshouzhi',"Summer-growing" succulents should stop being fertilized.

This month the sunshine duration gradually shortens, so shading is not necessary, allowing succulents to grow under full light to receive more sunlight,because plants grown in a sunlight-rich environment have compact shapes, thick and plump leaves, and more beautiful leaf colors. At the same time, sufficient sunlight can also make the plants firmer and healthier, which is beneficial for overwintering. Many types of succulents must have sufficient sunlight to bloom, such as Portulacaceae's Anacampseros, Aizoaceae's Lithops, Leucospermum, and many Cactaceae plants, all of which have this habit.

"Winter-growing" and "intermediate-type" succulents can also be repotted and given fresh soil this month, seedlings can be divided into separate pots, and propagation work such as division and cuttings (including leaf cuttings, root cuttings, and stem cuttings) can be carried out. If winter heating facilities are complete, sowing propagation can also be carried out.

Plants currently in bloom should be artificially pollinated in a timely manner. Due to differences in species, the flowering time also varies. For example, Aizoaceae's Lithops, Conophytum bilobum, and Lithops pseudotruncatella, and Conophytum's Conophytum bilobum, Conophytum 'Xunzhang', and Conophytum 'Shengyuan' areplants that bloom on clear, sunny days, namely "day-blooming type."

While Aizoaceae's Conophytum varieties such as Conophytum 'Anzhen', Conophytum 'Xingqin', and Conophytum 'Aduofu' belong to the "night-blooming type" plants, usually opening at night,therefore, when pollinating, one must grasp the timing well and specifically select healthy, plump different plants that highlight the characteristics of the species to pollinate each other,so that seeds of excellent quality and a relatively high germination rate can be produced.

The climate this month is suitable, making it a good time to introduce "winter-growing" and "intermediate-type" succulents. Whether purchased from a flower market or bought online or from a greenhouse, newly purchased plants must be carefully checked for pests. For Aizoaceae's Lithops and Conophytum, check whether the roots have root mealybugs. If so, not only must the adult insects be removed, but the eggs must also be cleaned out thoroughly, and the root system trimmed.It is best to treat the roots with a medication for killing scale insects, so as to completely eliminate the pests and avoid infecting other plants;

For Aloeaceae, Crassulaceae, and other types of succulents, check whether there are scale insects or other pests. If there are, they must be cleaned off thoroughly to avoid spreading. Also check whether there are rotting leaves, roots, or stems. If so, the rotting parts should be removed, the wounds coated with carbendazim or other fungicide, and depending on the situation, left to dry for 3 to 10 days or longer, then potted and planted.

In addition, winter insulation and cold protection facilities should be prepared to guard against sudden cold waves.If a cold wave arrives in northern regions, flowers should be promptly moved indoors to prevent frost damage. If the temperature is suitable, they should be kept outdoors in a place with sufficient sunlight as much as possible, to improve their cold resistance.