How to Water Succulents During Their Dormant Period? A Practical Guide Is Here

Most succulents enter a dormant period as the seasons change, that is, they enter a state of self-protection. The dormant period is a dangerous time for succulents and seems somewhat mysterious to growers. When succulents enter dormancy, their root systems generally stop growing and many fine roots gradually disappear. Many plants die during or shortly after dormancy, mostly because they were too dry during dormancy or did not receive careful monitoring. Dormancy is part of their life cycle; when light and temperature are no longer suitable for them to be active, they need to rest in order to maintain a healthy state. Your task is to accompany them through this period.

Succulents: Succulent Propagation Methods: Common propagation methods include sowing, cuttings, grafting and...

Succulents

That being the case, we do not need to think too much about how to preserve the fine roots. Since the plant has lost its ability to absorb water, if it is watered too much at this stage, not only will the water fail to be fully absorbed, but it will instead cause the fine roots to rot, further affecting the plant's main roots. If it is allowed to spread, it may even cause the stem tissue to rot. Therefore, succulents in a dormant state should have their watering strictly controlled.

Succulents

So, do succulents in the dormant period then not need any water supplementation? In fact, this is a misunderstanding. Watering is not the only way to supplement water for plants. Many plants can also be given water by methods such as misting the leaves, especially plants that have entered dormancy. If dormant plants are watered, it is generally not easy to get the amount right, and rot is usually caused by overwatering. How should succulents be watered during the dormant period?

Succulents: How to mix soil for succulents?

After succulents enter the dormant period, we mainly supplement water by spraying. Increasing the humidity of the air and the growing medium in this way is safer, so that succulents in the dormant period will not develop physiological problems because the air and growing medium are too dry.

Of course, dormancy in succulents is generally relative, and there are still quite a few succulents whose dormant characteristics are not very obvious, such as varieties like Haworthia cooperi and Lithops pseudotruncatella. In such cases, water supplementation should be handled flexibly according to the plant's current condition, but in general the principle to grasp is: during the dormant season, if a succulent shows signs of dehydration, and the growing point has clearly lost its luster, or even the plant's color deepens all day while the leaves appear somewhat soft, we should treat it as being in a dormant state, so watering or water supplementation should also be carried out according to the standards for the dormant period.

Succulents

Friends interested in growing flowers can follow the official account: Hua You. Every day there are wonderful articles on growing and appreciating flowers to share with you, and fellow flower lovers to enjoy the sea of flowers with you. Submission email: [email protected].