Succulents, these fascinating and beautiful creations of nature, are more than just decorations for your home or garden. They are symbols of resilience and adaptability, able to thrive with little maintenance and in sometimes harsh conditions.
In this article, we’ll reveal the essential tips for growing succulents successfully, covering topics such as choosing species, ideal growing conditions, watering, fertilizing, pruning, propagation and prevention. diseases and parasites. Follow these valuable tips to transform your space into a veritable haven of greenery, where succulents flourish and beautify your environment, while giving you immense satisfaction.
Choose the right succulents
Choosing the right succulents is an essential step in ensuring they succeed and thrive in your living space. To do this, start by familiarizing yourself with the different species available on the market, such as popular succulents like Aloe vera, Echeveria, Crassula (jade tree), Sempervivum (houseleek), and Sedum.
TTake into account your aesthetic preferences and the space you have available, as well as the specific growing conditions of each succulent. For example, some species can tolerate lower temperatures, while others need plenty of sunlight. It is also crucial to consider the environment in which you want to grow your succulents: indoors or outdoors, in a garden, on a balcony or terrace, in the ground or in a pot.
Finally, be sure to buy good quality plants from reputable nurseries or garden centers, and check their general health, avoiding specimens that show signs of disease, rot or infestation. By choosing your succulents wisely according to your needs, your tastes and the growing conditions, you put all the chances on your side to succeed in their cultivation and see them flourish fully.
The suitable substrate and containers
The choice of the right substrate and containers plays a crucial role in the successful cultivation of succulents. The substrate must be well-draining and light to avoid excessive water retention, which could lead to root rot and deterioration of the plant. You can opt for a specialized mix for succulents and succulents, available at garden centers, or make your own mix by combining universal potting soil with river sand, perlite or pozzolana to improve drainage.
As for containers, favor pots with drainage holes in the bottom to evacuate excess water. Terracotta pots are particularly recommended for succulents, as they allow good aeration of the roots and absorb humidity. However, you can also use plastic or ceramic pots, as long as they have good drainage.
Be sure to choose an appropriately sized pot for your plant, leaving plenty of room for root growth, while avoiding overly large pots that may retain too much moisture. Finally, place a layer of clay pebbles or gravel at the bottom of the pot to aid drainage and prevent the roots from standing in standing water. By taking these tips for substrate and containers into account, you will provide your succulents with a healthy environment conducive to their growth and development.
Watering succulents
Watering succulents is a delicate and crucial step for their well-being, as a good balance must be struck between providing enough water to support their growth and avoiding excess humidity which could harm their health. The frequency and amount of water to use depends on several factors, such as the size of the plant, the type of substrate, the container and the environmental conditions.
In general, it is preferable to adopt the technique of watering by immersion, which consists of watering the plant abundantly until the water runs out through the drainage holes of the pot, then waiting for the substrate to dry. almost completely before the next watering.
During the warmer, sunnier months, succulents may need more frequent watering, while during the winter dormancy they need less water. Signs of underwatering include wilting, shrinking, or yellowing of leaves, while overwatering shows up as softening, discoloration, or rotting of leaves and roots.
It is important to monitor your succulents carefully and adjust the watering according to their specific needs, taking into account climatic and environmental conditions. By mastering the art of watering, you will allow your succulents to grow healthily and retain their beauty and vigor throughout the year.
Nutrition and fertilization
Nutrition and fertilization are important aspects to ensure the health and optimal growth of succulents. Although these plants are generally undemanding in nutrition, they benefit from a regular supply of nutrients to support their development and flowering. Succulents need a balanced fertilizer, containing adequate proportions of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, as well as micronutrients such as calcium, magnesium and iron.
To fertilize your succulents, you can opt for a liquid fertilizer specially formulated for succulents and cacti, or use an all-purpose fertilizer diluted to half the recommended concentration. The frequency of application depends on the specific needs of each species and the growing conditions. As a general rule, it’s a good idea to fertilize succulents once a month during the active growing season, which is spring through fall, and to reduce fertilizing or stop it altogether during the winter dormancy period.
It is important not to over-fertilize your succulents, as this can lead to excessive growth, leaf discoloration and scorching, or even death of the plant. By providing your succulents with adequate nutrition and fertilization, you will promote their healthy and vigorous growth, as well as spectacular and long-lasting blooms.
Pruning, cuttings and propagation
Pruning, cuttings and propagation are essential techniques for maintaining the desired shape and size of your succulents, while multiplying your collection. Pruning removes damaged, diseased, or overgrown parts of the plant, promoting better growth and a neater appearance.
Use scissors or a clean, sharp pruner to make clean, precise cuts, being careful not to damage healthy parts of the plant. Cuttings are a simple and effective way to propagate your succulents. Depending on the species, you can take leaf cuttings, stem cuttings or even suckers from the base of the parent plant.
Allow the cuttings to dry out for a few days, until a slight scar forms at the place of the cut, then plant them in a light, well-draining medium. Water moderately, keeping the substrate slightly moist, and wait for the roots to develop before transplanting the young plants into individual pots.
Propagation by division is another option for some succulents, such as agaves or aloes, which produce suckers around the parent plant. Gently detach the suckers with their roots and plant them in a new pot with a suitable substrate.
Prevention and treatment of diseases and parasites
Preventing and treating diseases and pests are important aspects of ensuring the health and longevity of your succulents. By adopting proper growing practices, you can significantly reduce the risk of infections and infestations, while promoting a healthy and harmonious environment for your plants. be sure to respect each species’ specific needs for light, watering, nutrition and temperature, as improper growing conditions can weaken plants and make them more susceptible to disease and pests.
Also be sure to maintain good air circulation around your plants, avoiding crowding them or placing them too close together. Common diseases and pests that affect succulents include root and stem rot fungi, mealy bugs, aphids and mites. To prevent these problems, inspect your plants regularly, paying particular attention to signs of stress, discoloration, deformation or the presence of pests. In the event of an infestation, isolate the affected plant immediately to prevent the pest from spreading to other plants.
Growing succulents successfully involves adopting proper growing practices and taking care of every aspect of their growth. By choosing the right species, providing them with an adequate substrate and appropriate containers, controlling watering, ensuring balanced nutrition and fertilization, and practicing pruning, cuttings and propagation, you will promote the harmonious development and health of your succulents. In addition, the prevention and treatment of diseases and parasites are key elements in preserving the beauty and vitality of these wonders of nature.
