What causes succulents to almost all die in summer?
Cause of death one: scorching sun and high temperatures
This summer has been too hot. Not only have many regions come close to 40 degrees, but the number of hot days has also been longer than usual. Huahua cannot stand staying outdoors for even a few minutes. If people are like this, how much more so succulents!
So those succulent fans who still leave their succulents outdoors in 40-degree sauna weather without providing any shade should go stand in the corner and reflect on their mistakes!
Revealing the cause of death
1. In summer, the vicious sun shines directly on succulent leaves, not only causing leaf sunburn, dehydration and drying, but also making the soil temperature rise sharply. It becomes stuffy and hot, and the roots in the soil are like entering a steam room. They cannot get enough air and cannot breathe normally, leading to black rot and death.
2. Although some succulents are not in direct sunlight, being in a high-temperature, stuffy and hot environment also makes it very easy for their roots to breathe poorly and die.
Correct care
1. When caring for succulents outdoors in summer, shade must be provided. When caring for them indoors, they must also be placed in a spot with diffused light or a cool place. If conditions allow, a fan or air conditioner can be used.
2. A well-ventilated environment can also appropriately lower the plant's temperature, so while providing shade, attention must also be paid to ventilation.
Cause of death two: soil and flower pots that are not breathable
This cause is the easiest to overlook, but it is crucial. Many succulent growers do not pay attention to the choice of soil and pots, thinking that as long as they are convenient and attractive, it is fine. What they do not realize is that once the soil and pots have poor breathability and water permeability, what awaits the succulents is endless black rot & death.
Revealing the cause of death
1. Some succulent growers, for convenience, use only peat soil or garden soil when planting. These soils are heavy and sticky, with poor water permeability and breathability, and can easily smother the succulent roots.
2. Some succulent growers like to use plastic pots, glazed pots, or porcelain pots to grow succulents. These pots have very poor breathability, not only hindering the evaporation of excess water, but also failing to effectively dissipate heat and help lower the plant's temperature. Succulents planted in these pots are like steamed buns trapped in a steamer basket, quickly steamed cooked.
Correct care
1.. Before summer arrives, we should check the water permeability and breathability of the succulent soil in advance, ensuring that after watering, excess water can quickly flow out. For seedlings or small plants, a mix of 50% peat soil + 50% coarse sand (or perlite) can be used, mixed with a small amount of akadama soil, which helps rooting.
2. For old plants or large plants, the proportion of granules can be increased, using 70% granules (including perlite, coarse sand, vermiculite, maifan stone, etc.) + 30% peat soil.
3. When planting succulents, it is best to choose clay pots or ceramic pots, and the bottom of the pot must have drainage holes.
Cause of death three: a growing environment without ventilation
Summer is too hot. Most households close the windows and block the doors while running the air conditioner. Although for succulents the temperature has come down, what follows is another fatal drawback - no ventilation. Lack of ventilation also very easily causes succulent casualties.
Revealing the cause of death
1. Ventilation is not only very, very important for succulents, but for any plant. Ventilation is like fish and water in a pond. Fish in flowing water are certainly more energetic and healthier than fish in stagnant water.
2. Good environmental ventilation can allow excess water in the pot to evaporate, ensuring the soil is breathable and the roots breathe normally; at the same time, good ventilation will also carry away many pathogens and insect eggs, reducing the chance of succulents getting sick. Conversely, in a poorly ventilated environment, water evaporates slowly, and succulents remain in a damp and stuffy environment for a long time, making the roots extremely prone to rot;
3. At the same time, poor ventilation also increases the occurrence of succulent pests and diseases, such as mealybugs, black rot, etc. So this is why succulents grown outdoors are stronger and more disease-resistant than indoor succulents.
Correct care
1. Succulents grown outdoors can be placed in well-ventilated and relatively cool places with less light, such as corridors and north-facing balconies.
2. For succulents cared for indoors, do not keep the doors closed and windows blocked all the time. When not at home, windows can be opened to ensure 2 hours or more of ventilation time per day. If there is an extra fan at home, it can also be used to fan the succulents.
Cause of death four: too much rain (watering)
This summer, many regions have had especially a lot of rain. If your succulents are placed outdoors for care and often receive heavy rain, they will definitely die. Many people also care for succulents indoors, where they cannot get rained on, but worry that the weather is too hot and the succulents will be damaged by heat, so they water desperately, causing the succulents to be watered to death alive.
Revealing the cause of death
1. Succulents originate from dry tropical and subtropical regions. In a year, they can only get rainwater for 2-3 months, and to ensure normal growth in the other seasons, they store excess water in their stems and leaves. Therefore, they have extremely strong drought tolerance and do not need frequent watering.
2. In summer, most Crassulaceae succulents enter a dormant period and stop growing. If at this time they are given the same amount of water as in the growing season or even more, the roots will not be able to absorb it. The unabsorbed water remains in the soil and hinders root respiration. Combined with high temperature and stuffiness, the roots will very easily rot, further causing black rot of the entire succulent.
Correct care
1. For succulents grown outdoors, pay attention to the weather conditions every day. Before rainy days arrive, move them indoors or set up rain covers to prevent the succulents from getting too much rainwater.
2. Whether grown outdoors or indoors, most succulents (excluding summer-growing types such as Cactaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Orostachys, etc.) should have their water appropriately controlled in summer. Watering once or twice a month is enough, and watering should be done in the evening. Remember not to water at noon, otherwise the succulents will die for you in minutes.
Babies, do you understand why your succulents died?
If you bought a plant, you must take good care of it! Because it is also a life!