Succulents have been popular in recent years. If you provide them with the ideal growing conditions, they are easy-care plants that will beautify your home and get your guests talking.
Watering
A succulent is a plant whose leaves are composed of fleshy tissues rich in water (juice), and not in fats as the expression ''succulent plant'' seems to suggest. Cacti (cacti) are succulent plants but the term mainly refers to plants with thorns. Thanks to their leaves containing the viscous and thick liquid that is sap, these plants can survive a long period without water. As a result, too much water can be harmful to the plant. Indeed, watering management is essential for growing your plants in the long term.
In the morning, when light reaches the plants, they open the pores in their leaves (stomata) and begin photosynthesis. This process allows plants to absorb water and store it efficiently. This is why morning is the ideal time to water plants. If you don't have a grow light, you should wait for a day when the sun shines on your plants to proceed. Otherwise, the plant will not be able to assimilate water and it is possible that stagnant moisture will lead to root rot.
The best way to water your cacti and succulents is by drench. Simply place your pots in a tray a few inches high (or in a sink) that has been filled with 2 inches (~5cm) of water. As soon as the surface soil is damp, remove the plants and let them drain on a dry cloth or tray before putting the pots back on the shelf or in their planter.
How often should we water?
This is a difficult question to answer because your growing conditions (temperature of your home, potting soil used, lighting, etc.) will influence the time between waterings. Water when the soil is completely dry and the leaves are slightly shriveled. It is better to water deeply once a month than several times a month on the surface.
The soil
The soil for succulents must be draining and well aerated. Avoid sand-based substrates which compact the soil. This slows down root growth, on the one hand, and will prevent the plant from absorbing water in the long term, on the other hand. To avoid these inconveniences, you can use our homemade potting mix for succulents , otherwise use a minimum of 40% pumice (pumice) mixed with a light commercial potting soil.
If the soil is important, the pot is even more important. There is no point in having a draining substrate if the pot does not allow adequate drainage. Terracotta containers are the best choice for cacti and succulents. Terracotta allows better evacuation of humidity through its porous surface and the drainage hole effectively evacuates excess water from irrigation. In addition, the terracotta heats up with sunlight, which allows the soil to dry even more quickly, thus promoting the growth of healthy roots.
Lighting
Succulent plants that have bloom (small whitish powder on the leaves), hairs, thorns or bright colors require direct exposure to the sun, while others can cope with good light.
A specialist grow light, LED or neon for plants can make a huge difference. If you don't have one, you will need a south-facing window for plants requiring exposure to direct sun. However, even if the natural lighting in your room seems good, it may not be enough: each thickness of window filters part of the sun's rays. Additionally, windows that are too new prevent UV rays from entering your home and therefore your plants will not receive the full light spectrum they need.
Fertilization
Once a month, add liquid seaweed (diluted according to manufacturer's directions) to one of your waterings. Algae provides nutrients to your plants to enable them to continue growing and resist disease. Seaweed, unlike chemical fertilizers, cannot burn the roots of your succulents and is therefore a safe choice.
If you follow these recommendations, you will be able to enjoy your plants, which will add color to your home, for many years!
