Succulent Care

SUCCULENT CARE:

There are several types of Succulents. The secrets to success include a marked difference in temperatures between summer and winter months. Succulents like warm Spring through Autumn and 50 degree winters. They prefer South facing windowsills as they are considered a Cactus type plant. Watering in the spring through autumn should be similar to regular house plants: once weekly or when the compost starts to dry out. In the winter, they only need watered once every month or two! Succulents like fresh air so try opening the window. Succulents prefer being transplanted in shallow pots. They rarely need transplanted and should only be done in the spring if needed. 

PROBLEM SHOOTING:

BROWN SOFT SPOTS ON LEAVES: LEAF SPOT DISEASE: water with fungicide systematically and improve the ventilation.

SUDDEN LOSS OF LEAVES: TOO COLD WATER FROM TAP or UNDERWATERING IN SUMMER: Use room temperature water for watering and remember to water when soil dries out.

BROWN DRY SPOTS: UNDERWATERING. Remember that succulents require generous watering in summer.

LEAVES WILTED & DISCOULOURED: OVERWATERING. This happens especially in winter. Root Surgery.

If water-logging is suspected remove plant from pot and inspect roots. If they have brown mushy roots, you will have to throw it away. If the roots are firm and white, leave plant out of pot for 1-2 days, trim off the brown roots; cut off stems and leaves showing rot, and plant into pot; watering with carbendazim solution. You can purchase it at your local store or online here: http://www.planetnatural.com/

If the roots are not firm and white or brown and mushy, you can remove all the compost from around the roots by holidng the soil ball under tap room temperature tap water. Lay the plant on table and cut the brown  mushy roots with a sharp knife or pair of scissors. Cut stems and leaves off that show signs of rot. Trip some of the healthy leaves to balance the loss of roots. Follow the steps above with watering using carbendazim solution only after the plant shows new growth.

ROT AT BASE/STEM COLLAPSE: BASAL STEM ROT DISEASE: caused by over-wet conditions in winter months. Cut the plant above the rotted areas with sharp knife or scissors, cover compost area with a layer of stone chips Replant and AVOID OVER WATERING!