Spring is here and I'm sure you've seen the racks of succulents at the supermarket and garden center and thought to yourself that, it's time to give it a try. Everybody always says that these plants practically take care of themselves.
If that's you, I put together a list of 5 things you should know about caring for your succulents and cacti.
DISCLAIMER: I am NOT an expert. The purpose of the #artscienceEARTH blog is to just jump right in and start learning. That being said, I've done much of my own extensive research both online and in my own back yard. So, there is a certain level of credibility to the information I provide.
Don't be discouraged, though. These plants really do know how to thrive on their own and even if you mess up, they are relatively cheap if you start small. Go ahead and make a few mistakes, all the pros do!
5 Things to Know About Your New Cactus and Succulents
I’m sure there are stats out there somewhere to back up this claim but, the number one reason for succulents not to grow successfully is drowning.
Too Much Water!
The temptation is real, though. I’ve lost plenty of plants, especially in my earlier years, to over watering. I would be haunted with visions of a dry desert landscape and a shriveling stalk dying inside one of my pots. So, I would always add a bit more water, just in case. I get it.For a beginning gardener, especially when it comes to succulents, the number one tip is to fight the urge to water. Succulents are more likely to die from drowning than they ever will from dehydration.
FIRST | Drainage
Before you even buy a succulent, you should make sure you’ve gathered all of your materials. The most important one is the pot. Whatever you choose, make sure that it has a hole, or a few, on the bottom to allow free flowing water to leave.It’s tempting to go for “fashion over function” when it comes to presenting your new plant but, that pretty new pot MUST have adequate drainage, especially if you live in a cooler climate or you will be susceptible to root rot.
In climates like the Inland Empire, I would also recommend earthy materials over plastics. Ceramic and stone hold their own moisture so, plants won’t dry out as fast. Plus, you can usually feel the outside of the pot to gauge water. If it’s still cool to the touch, or even darker towards the bottom, your roots still have plenty of water.
SECOND | Soil Quality
The easy option is to go for the “Cactus Potting Mix”. Some “dirt” is generally good for these plants but, it tends to hold on to moisture and as we’ve established, these plants don’t need that from the soil. That’s why you’ll see coarse materials mixed in like Perlite, those little white stones.If you already have traditional potting soil, you can add those materials yourself. Perlite, Vermiculite, Wood Chips and even Sand are good amendments. I’ve even had success with just pure sand. Keep in mind, these plants do well in desert conditions.
Bottom line, the faster your soil dries out, the better.
THIRD | Water Efficiently
This is where some people get intimidated. The battlecry is “Don’t Water!”. Cacti and Succulents do well with almost ZERO WATER. However, when it really is time to water, it’s best to water THOUROUGHLY!Give the plant a deep drink when you can dig your finger into the soil and it’s completely dry. Pour until the water drains out the bottom. You can even do it twice. Make sure the entire pot is soaked with water as deep as possible. When the roots do need a drink, you want them to reach as far down as possible to ensure the best growth up top.
Resist the urge to water small amounts routinely, as this will grow shallow roots. It’s much better to let the soil dry completely and then, water thoroughly.
FOURTH | Sunlight
There is almost no such thing as too much sun exposure when it comes to cacti/succulents. Sure, it’s possible for one of these plants to dry out but, if it’s living in a climate that a human can survive in plus, you’re going to water it, your plant can take the full force of the sun.In fact, it’s more likely that you’ll place your succelant in too much shade. Many succulents can adapt to partial shade but most of them will be perfectly happy outside on a sunny porch all day. (Do some research about your specific plants to know for sure what’s best)
Another benefit to plenty of sun is that the soil will dry much quicker. Like we’ve already covered, too much moisture in the soil is the biggest concern in keeping your plant happy and healthy. So, keep that in mind when deciding where you’re putting it.
FIFTH | Maintenance
One of the main reasons you’ve been attracted to this plant, especially if you’re a beginner, is that they require little to no maintenance. For the most part, it’s true.They don’t grow particularly fast but, you should keep an eye on their root systems from time to time. Like with any plant, the will outgrow smaller containers. (Not a problem if you put them in the ground outside) When the soil is dry, gently tug on the base and the soil should slide right out.
If it’s mostly soil, you’re probably fine. If you see an extensive amount of roots, especially stronger ones, wrapping themselves around the outside of the soil, you’ll want to give them some more space in a larger container, ASAP.
Above ground, it’s a good idea to remove the dried leaves. Many of them will fall off easily with a touch. In fact, sometimes perfectly healthy leaves may fall off when you move them around a bit. There’s no reason to panic. You can actually propagate these healthy plants and grow even more succulents!
I think I’ve covered much of the basic knowledge for beginners. As with any new adventure, you should do some research and find as many resources as you can. If you have any question please leave a comment.
And once more because, it’s so important:
GO EASY ON THE WATER!
Enjoy your new plants!
Josh | #artscienceEARTH
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