Succulents Simplified, 3 Tips for
Success!
I have seen a lot of articles on Succulents lately and thought I would try growing
some myself. I've done a little research and here is what I found out.
In botany, succulent
plants, also known as succulents or sometimes fat plants,
are plants having some parts that are more than normally thickened
and fleshy, usually to retain water in arid climates
or soil conditions.
Succulent plants may store water in various structures, such as leaves and stems.
Succulents have become very popular for two reasons. They
are hardier than regular house plants since
they don’t need to be watered as regularly and because they can be planted in
unconventional planters. The don’t need a ton of soil to survive since they
have shallow root systems.
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1. Soil Mix Must Drain Well
The first thing you need to know is that succulent roots do not
get water from direct contact. Rather, they absorb the water molecules in the
air. This is why having a succulent sitting is sopping wet water is so
problematic and just makes the plant rot. Soil Mix must drain well.
Here is a recipe for well draining soil:
- 1 part Turface
- 1 part Pine Bark
Fines
- 1 part Crushed
Granite
The pine bark provides an organic element and holds water but has
air pockets in it and doesn’t break down very quickly. The Turface absorbs some
of the water and slowly releases it. The granite doesn’t absorb water but
allows the water to flow through the pot between all the particles. The mix is
very porous so water flows easily and doesn’t really break down. There is
plenty of air so the roots are never sitting in water.
2. Routine Watering
As a general rule, indoor succulents should be watered every 3-4
days in a pot that has a drainage hole.
3. Lots of Sunlight
Succulents need a lot of sunlight to grow happy and healthy.
Something I learned though is they don’t like direct sunlight in the heat of
the summer when they are outside. They are very prone to sunburn. Rather, if
they are outside put them somewhere they will receive some shade and stay
relatively cool. Morning light is good with a bright shade in the afternoon. If
your plants are inside, put them somewhere they’ll receive bright light for
most of the day. They are less likely to get sunburned inside, but it can still
happen. Usually a south facing window sill will provide enough light but if you
notice signs of sunburn (brown/black spots on the leaves) move it somewhere
that the light is not quite as direct.
5 Most Popular Succulents
 |
| Burro's Tail (Sedum morganianum) |
 |
| Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera xbuckleyi) |
 |
Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii)
|
 |
Hens-and-Chicks (Sempervivum tectorumor Echeveria elegans)
|
 |
| Jade Plant (Crassula ovata) |
Debra Lee Baldwin, known as "The Succulent Queen", has a new book that just arrived on shelves. "Succulents Simplified" is a must have for any of you out there that are just addicted to succulents. It is also a perfect place to start in your quest to add succulents to your garden. It does not matter whether you are just beginning or a veteran. This book has something for everyone. Debra's book shows you how to keep succulents no matter the climate outside. In addition to fabulous photography, she has included care, troubleshooting, diseases and crafting. She even discusses propagation as well.
I hope you found this information helpful. If you have any comments or want to share
your experience with Succulents, feel free to post below.
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