In this article, we’ll cover how to care for succulents, How often to water your succulents, how to propagate your plants, and whether succulents need sun. These articles will also show you how to care for succulents indoors.
The best rule is to make sure the soil is completely dry before watering your succulents. Watering your succulents can be tricky, and you should only water them when the water runs out of their drainage holes.
How Often To Water Succulents For Proper Care
Depending on the climate and the container, succulents may need more water than their dry-weather cousins. Plants grown in arid climates can be left alone without watering, while those grown in humid areas need to be watered at least monthly.
High-sun regions require more watering than arid areas. You may find that your succulent needs water more frequently in the summer than they do in the winter.
The best way to determine the amount of water a succulent plant need is to check its moisture content every day. Succulents typically store moisture in their leaves, and if the leaves become dry, you need to water them more often.
A long-spout watering container is ideal for this purpose. To determine the moisture content of the soil, use a toothpick or finger to make a moisture check. Succulents in deeper planters may need more frequent watering, so make sure to check the moisture level with your finger or toothpick every day.
If you have an indoor plant, you don’t need to water it very much. However, you should keep an eye on it during the winter months. During winter, succulents go dormant and don’t need as much water as they do during the summer months.
However, winter watering should still be done when the soil becomes dry, and this can last for several months. To avoid overwatering, try to water your succulents less in winter and more in the spring and summer months.
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How To Propagate From Succulent Branches
Learning how to propagate succulents from leaves is the first step to establishing your new plant. The easiest way to start is by twisting and pulling a leaf from the stem. Make sure you do not break off the stem first, as this may result in dead leaves.
To remove a succulent leaf, twist it gently so that you can see the base of the leaf. You can buy propagation leaves from places like The Succulents Source.
Succulent cuttings can take four to six weeks to root and produce new leaves. If you’re lucky, your cuttings will grow roots in two to three weeks. Depending on the time of year and the humidity of the air, your plants may take up to a year to fully root.
Cuttings, on the other hand, root much more quickly, which makes propagation easier. Once you’ve rooted your succulent cutting, you can plant it in well-drained soil. Keep the stem moist for at least two weeks.
Do Succulents Need Sun?
If you want to care for your succulents, Most of them do not need direct sunlight to thrive, and in fact, they need a little indirect light. The indirect sunlight is best for plants that require less direct light and can benefit from a spot near a window or grow light.
However, you will want to be sure to avoid overexposure to direct sunlight. If you can’t avoid it altogether, try to give your succulents a few hours of sun each day.
In order to make sure your succulents receive enough sunlight to stay healthy and happy, you should first determine how many hours of direct sunlight each day they require. A good rule of thumb is six to eight hours of indirect sunlight.
However, if you are planning to place your succulents in direct sunlight for the first time, you should start out with only a small amount of sunlight. Direct sunlight will cause brown spots and possibly death to newly planted succulents.
If you live in Tucson, Arizona, the climate is not ideal for succulents. Our Sonoran Desert climate is much hotter in summer than in winter, and without enough direct sunlight, succulents can become leggy, elongated, or suffer from etiolation (short stems).
They also tend to lose their vibrant pigmentation and return to a dull green color. However, in areas where winter temperatures are below zero, succulents can still thrive.
How To Care For Succulents Indoors
One of the most common questions when it comes to keeping a succulent indoors is how much water to give it. In general, succulents require about six to eight hours of light per day.
When new succulents are first planted, it’s important to water them lightly, so that they can become accustomed to the light. You can gradually increase their amount of sunlight exposure, or place them in shade during the winter season. Because they require less water, you can cut back on watering, so your plants are not only attractive but also easy on your water bill.
One of the most common issues with succulents is pests and disease. While they do not have serious pest problems, some are common, so it’s important to check your plants regularly and deal with any problems early.
Here are some easy tips for keeping succulents healthy in an indoor environment. Using a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol on the soil is an easy way to kill mealy bugs. Also, don’t forget to check the plant’s soil before taking it home from the nursery.
How to Grow and Care for Succulents
Fertilize your succulents once or twice a month to maximize growth. You can even forgo fertilizing them entirely if they are doing well. However, if you have noticed that they are not growing at all, you should consider fertilizing them.
Adding fertilizer to your succulents can give them a boost and make them bloom again. Some succulents have beautiful flowers. To grow beautiful flowers, you can choose a variety that produces a large number of these blooms.
Before you begin planting, make sure to select the right pots for your new plants. Choose clay pots, because they are the most suitable. Fill the pots with about 1/3 gravel and two to three inches of coarse sand. You can also make your own succulent mix by mixing coarse sand, nutrients, and soil.
How Much Water Do Succulents Need
Succulents need water regularly, preferably once a week during the active growing season. Watering your succulents is especially important during periods of high humidity, when water is hard to come by, or when you are surrounded by hot, dry weather.
Then, thoroughly water the plant, reaching its roots and letting it dry. This will ensure that it does not shrivel and die.
Aim the spout of the watering device directly onto the soil of the plant. If possible, use a small spout for the water. The smaller the spout, the easier it will be to reach the plant’s roots.
Also, check the soil moisture of your succulents every few days for proper care. It can be difficult to determine if lower levels of soil are dry or not.
Besides soil moisture, succulents also need proper light. A newly-planted succulent may be scorched by direct sunlight. If this happens, reduce the amount of sunlight it receives. You may need to gradually introduce your succulent to the sunlight, or plant it in a shady area.
Succulents generally require more water in the spring and summer seasons, and overwatering them will kill the plant.
Can Succulents Live Outside
If you live in an area with limited sunlight, succulents can do well outdoors. However, they do need watering. You can check whether or not the soil is dry by sticking a finger into it. If the first two inches of soil feel dry, it is time to water. If not, then wait until the soil dries out. Then, move it to a place where it will get the needed amount of sunlight.
Most succulents can survive freezing temperatures, but not all. Some will not tolerate more than a couple nights in cold temperatures. The majority of succulents fall into the “soft” category and cannot tolerate much cold.
These include Echeverias, Haworthias, and Aeoniums. Those that can’t tolerate cold temperatures should be moved indoors as soon as the nighttime temperature drops below freezing. If you are worried about your succulents’ temperature during the winter, you can cover them with a blanket or frost cloth to protect them.
Generally, succulents are hardy in warm, dry climates. Because they are used to the sun, they are often able to tolerate a lack of water and neglect. They can be planted in pots, in the ground, and in unexpected places.
However, you should keep in mind that while succulents can survive the cold, they will not recover from frost damage. As long as you don’t over-water them, they will continue to thrive outdoors.
How To Grow and Care for Succulents from Cuttings
Propagating succulents from cuttings is an inexpensive and easy way to multiply your collection of beautiful plants. The most successful types of succulents to propagate are those with several stems and branches.
Echeverias are less suitable because their stems are etiolate. Proper cutting position is crucial for regenerating a succulent from a cutting. There are five different positions in which to cut succulents.
You can propagate succulents from individual leaves. Simply remove one succulent leaf from the parent plant or clipping it and twist it off cleanly. Be careful not to break the end of the petiole, as it is the place from which new leaves and roots will emerge.
Once the cutting has callus formed, the succulent can be planted. Make sure to keep it in a warm, dry place. You can also use an old wine bottle to keep the water warm. Once the leaves are clean and callus-like, you can carefully place them into the soil.
After a few days, your cuttings will be ready to be planted in the soil. Just remember to keep them dry so they do not rot. The cuttings will begin to sprout new roots in a few weeks. Once they start growing, you can plant them in a pot or garden.
To plant succulents in containers, place them in a sunny area. Make sure the soil is well-drained. Plant cuttings during the early morning or late evening so that they will receive less sun.
Conclusion
In addition to being easy to grow, many succulents have their own unique features. Bromeliads, for example, produce beautiful, fragrant blooms on a regular basis. Some of the Sempervivum family, such as Kalanchoe daigremontiana, produce offsets as well. After harvesting the blooms, the plant should be dried and replanted in well-draining soil. Care for succulents will depend on your region. If the climatic conditions are very hot or very dry, you may not have to water the plant very much.
