Succulents are extremely robust and also suitable for beginners. For a lush bloom, however, you have to pay attention to a few things when caring for them.
Succulents are frugal. The plants grow in regions where little to no rain falls. Longer periods of drought cannot harm cacti and the other representatives of the succulents. Plants build up water reservoirs in their roots, trunks, and mostly fleshy leaves. This is one of the reasons why succulents are great for novice growers. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when caring for succulents so that they grow luxuriantly and bloom profusely.
What are succulents?
Succulents are assigned to very different plant families. The main ones are cacti and succulent plants. The botanical term succulent is derived from the Latin word "succulentus".
Fifty different and botanically unrelated plant species have the property of storing large amounts of water. Throughout their evolution, succulents have shown an amazing adaptability. They have subordinated themselves to the most diverse climatic conditions and thrive in extreme locations, which forced them to activate further protective mechanisms.
An example of this is a white layer of frost that protects the plants from evaporation. Cacti that grow in the high mountains often have white hairs to protect themselves from the sun's rays during the day.
➔ Where are succulents found?
The plants usually grow where there is hardly any rain. Overall, succulents are native to 35 percent of the earth's surface. Cacti are found exclusively in America and span a wide arc from Canada to Patagonia.
Significant cacti locations are:
- Mexico
- Peru
- Chile
- Brazil
- Bolivia
- Paraguay
Choose the right location for succulents
AroundTo be able to care for succulents successfully, you should find out about the climatic conditions at the original location.
Succulents thrive in a wide variety of places in nature:
- tropical rainforests
- deciduous deciduous forests
- Grassland
- Savannas
- Arid Deserts
- Tundras
- Cold Deserts
- Steppes
- Semi-deserts
In general, you can cultivate succulents in the following locations:
- Greenhouse
- Cold Frame
- Rock Garden
- windowsill
Selecting the ideal substrate for succulents
Drainage in the bottom of the container is crucial for the cultivation of succulents. If the liquid cannot drain off sufficiently, waterlogging occurs. This is succulents biggest enemy and will rot the roots.
Tip: If succulents are cultivated in a planter, it should have at least one drainage hole.
Commercial cactus soil is usually not optimal tailored to the needs of succulents and has a much too high humus content. However, the mixtures can be a good basis for the production of your own substrate.
These ingredients are suitable for the soil requirements of succulents:
- quartz sand
- Granite
- Lavagrus
- Pumice gravel
- clay
- Blähton
- Perlite
- charcoal
This can be used to prepare a substrate mix suitable for succulents. Several plants can be potted successfully with the following mixture:
- ten liters of cactus soil
- a liter of loamy garden soil
- a liter of quartz sand
- a liter of granite gruss
- a liter of lava dust
- a liter of pumice gravel
Sieve the cactus and garden soil again before use. If necessary, you can add a few more spoonfuls of perlite and ground charcoal. If you want a more permeable substrate, increase the proportion of lava or granite.
Repotting succulents properly
Every cactus lover has his own magic formula for repotting his prickly houseplants.Tight work gloves, leather straps, barbecue tongs, newspaper or tweezers can help, depending on the size of the succulents.
1First you need to remove the succulent from the old pot. This is still quite easy with plastic pots, as they can be easily pressed together. Hit rigid clay pots on the edge of the table several times to loosen the root ball.
2Once the plant has been removed from the plant pot, check that the root ball is intact. Remove dead or diseased root parts. He althy root balls can be replanted directly.
3When planting , it is best to place stones or shards of pottery over the drainage hole of the new planter so that the water can drain away easily. Then place the plant in the middle of the container and fill up the substrate.
You should not water the succulent for about ten days after repotting. Starting watering earlier can lead to plant rot if damage to the roots is not detected when repotting.
Tip: Succulents are best transplanted during their dormant period, between late winter and early spring.
Watering succulents properly
As already mentioned, succulents need little liquid. Anyone who thinks that succulents are ideal for the dry air in overheated apartments is only partially right.
In the natural habitat of the plants, the humidity during the day is very low. However, this changes at night when it cools down significantly. Humidity often reaches 90 percent or more in the morning hours. Small droplets of dew collect on the plants and fall to the ground. The succulents urgently need this moisture.The dew necessary for the plants can also be produced in the living room at home by reaching the plant sprayer in the morning or in the evening. Use rainwater to avoid lime stains on the plants.
Tip: The humidity in the greenhouse is higher and consequently less spraying is required.
In general, succulents should only be watered when the top layer of soil has dried. However, during the growing season between spring and autumn it is recommended to water succulents once a week. Excess irrigation water from cachepots and coasters must be removed immediately so that no waterlogging can occur. During the winter months, on the other hand, the plants need a bright and cool placestand and are only poured sporadically.
Fertilize succulents properly
Even if succulents are frugal plants, you shouldn't do without fertilizing. The substrate quickly runs out in the mostly small planters. This can cause the succulents to stop growing.
Succulents grow on poor soil. In their natural location, however, there is intensive soil weathering. The nutrients are thus quickly broken down and are available to the plants in large numbers.You should not fertilize sick plants or plants that have just been repotted, as the roots cannot absorb the fertiliser. Otherwise, it is possible to give the succulents at intervals of three to four weeks from the beginning of April with liquid fertilizer or granules
. The last amount of fertilizer is applied at the end of August.Tip: When choosing the fertilizer, make sure that it is low in nitrogen. A high proportion of phosphorus supports the flowering joy of cacti. Succulents can also be fertilized with guano.
Care calendar for succulents - what to do throughout the year?
| Period | What to do? |
|---|---|
| Mid February to early April | • End of hibernation • New growth begins • Cacti form buds • Transplanting late bloomers • Sowing in heatable trays • Carefully get the plants used to the sun • Mist the succulents on warm days • Add water from below from the end of March |
| Mid April to end of June | • water once a week from the end of April • avoid waterlogging • allow the substrate to dry well • fertilize every three to four weeks • repot • Cut cuttings • Seed out |
| early July to early September | • Provide plants with plenty of fresh air and sun • Water regularly • Fertilize every three to four weeks |
| mid-September to mid-November | • Stop fertilizing • Water less from the end of September • Lots of fresh air and sun • Ventilate the flower window frequently • Prepare for the first frosts be • Cover plants if necessary |
| Late November to early February | • Keep winter flowering plants warm • Ventilate heated greenhouses from time to time • Check succulents for pest infestation • Monitor temperature in greenhouse |