Growing Guide

      In botany, succulent plants, also known as succulents, are plants with parts that are thickened, fleshy, and engorged, usually to retain water in arid climates or soil conditions. The word succulent comes from the Latin word sucus, meaning 'juice', or 'sap'. [wikipedia]

      Succulent plants may store water in various structures, such as leaves and stems. Some definitions also include roots, thus geophytes that survive unfavorable periods by dying back to underground storage organs may be regarded as succulents. In horticultural use, the term succulent is sometimes used in a way which excludes plants that botanists would regard as succulents, such as cacti. Succulents are often grown as ornamental plants because of their striking and unusual appearance, as well as their ability to thrive with relatively minimal care. [wikipedia]

The following guidelines for growing succulents are for personal sharing only, exclusive copyright by WJ Succulents, please do not misappropriate or reprint.

1. What should I do after buying new Succulents?

       Succulents in the rooting and potting periods are not suitable for the sun, so remember to keep them in astigmatism or a cool place for a period of time. After the succulents are completely consumed in the pots, start to bask in the sun step by step. Do not directly expose them to the sun.

A. The succulents I bought are cutting, how do I get roots?

      Generally, if the succulents you buy are cutting, you need to check whether the wound is dry. If the wound is dry, you can put the cutting succulents directly in the rooting pot (leaf-cutting pot). Root pots need to be moisturized frequently (not too waterlogged, the potting soil is moist). Moisture can promote the succulents to root as soon as possible. After the succulents have roots, they can be removed and placed in the pots you like.

B. What should I do to deal with the succulents purchased online?

      First of all, we need to clean the roots, which refers to pruning the fleshy roots, leaving only the main stem. If the fleshy roots become dry or lignified, the roots need to be cut more. After cleaning the root system, you can wash the roots with water, and then you need to decide the length of time to dry the roots according to your own dry and wet environment, usually 3-5 days, after the roots are dry, you can pot them! It is recommended to wait about 3 days after potting, and then start watering (if it rains, you can wait for the rain to stop before starting). Do not water too much or too little, just keep the potting soil moist.

      In the beginning, because the succulents need to develop its root system quickly, the frequency of watering will be higher. After about 2-4 weeks (affected by the temperature), the normal watering frequency can be started after the succulents have been taken. Succulents at this stage are still struggling to develop its root system, so it is not advisable to control the water, otherwise it may cause the root system to die due to lack of water.

C. What should I do if I want to change the pots I bought in the nursery?

      It is recommended to clean the roots and re-serve the pots in the same way as the succulents purchased online. The advantage of this is to avoid some diseases such as insect eggs in the soil of the succulents in the nursery, and the flesh will grow more beautiful after re-rooting and adapting to your home environment!

2. What kind of soil should I use?

      Succulents are suitable for use in dry, sterile, insect-free soil with good permeability and air permeability.

      Beginners are advised to use a mixture of granules (maifan stone/ zeolite/ river sandstone/ volcanic rock/ any particles that can be purchased) and soil (succulent soil/ fine soil/ peat moss) to make the substrate (1:1), which is suitable for large The growth needs of some succulents. For areas with dry environments, it is necessary to increase soil moisture retention (adding vermiculite/ perlite); for the wet and rainy areas, it is necessary to improve soil drainage performance (multi-particle).

A. Seedlings/leaf inserts

      Seedlings/leaf cuttings require more moisturizing soil, so the general soil mix ratio is 70%-80% soil (succulent soil/ fine soil/ peat moss) and 20%-30% particles (vermiculite/ perlite/ maifan stone/ Zeolite / river sandstone / volcanic rock / any commercially available particles).

B. General planting

      Generally, the succulents we can buy are more than one year. In this case, most of the succulents do not need too moisturizing potting soil, especially if you want the succulents to be present and more colourful beautiful.

      The general proportion of soil mix is 30%-40% soil (succulent soil/ fine soil/ peat moss) and 60%-70% particles (maifan stone/ zeolite/ river sand/ volcanic rock/ any particles that can be purchased).

      However, when your area environment is particularly dry, we recommend increasing the proportion of soil to 50%. Or in a particularly humid and hot city, you can also increase the ratio of particles.

C. Paving stone

      Paving stones are actually essential when planting succulents. You can choose the paving stone you like according to the colour of the stone, but the stone must be mainly breathable. The soft type like a goose is not breathable and suggested. The more recommended is maifan stone/ zeolite/ volcanic rock.

      In addition to making a pot of succulents look clean and beautiful, the function of the paving stone is to hold down the soil to prevent the succulents from being blown away by wind and rain, or the soil is washed away by rain. The most important thing is to isolate the leaves from the direct contact of the potting soil prevents leaf rot after watering.

3. What kind of pot should I use?

A. Coarse Pottery Pots ★★★★★

      The air permeability of coarse pots is between that of terracotta pots and ceramic pots and has the advantages of terracotta pots and ceramic pots. It is more suitable for planting fleshy, beautiful appearance and good air permeability.

B. Plastic Pots ★★★

      The price of plastic pots is low. Although the air permeability is not as good as terracotta pots, the water volatilizes quickly, which is slightly better than ceramic pots.

C. Terracotta Pots ★★★

      The advantage of terracotta pots is that they are particularly breathable, but they are not suitable for use in areas with dry weather. However, if your area often has rainy seasons, this kind of pot is suitable. As it has good air permeability, do not put too many particles in the soil. If you use terracotta pots to grow succulents, you need to water them frequently!

D. Ceramic Pots ★★

      Ceramic pots have a very good moisturizing effect. The succulents grown in this kind of pots grow faster than those grown in other containers. But it is precise because of the moisturizing effect of this pot that it is not easy to pass the summer, and it is easy to cause succulent black rot.

4. How often should I water?

      The principle of watering succulents is to water less and water thoroughly every time to avoid rotten roots and black rot caused by the accumulation of water in the pot. Excessive moisture is not conducive to the shape of succulents and may make them lengthy.

      The spring and autumn are the succulent growing seasons. The best time to water is when the lower leaves begin to dry out; summer is the succulent dormant season, spray watering is the main method to keep the soil surface moist; and in winter, watering should be reduced frequency to avoid frostbite of succulents.

      After it rains, be sure to clean up the water droplets on the succulents, or cover the rain directly before it rains, and try not to pour on the succulent leaves when watering!

5. How long do they need to be in the sun?

      Among the succulents, Sedum family plants need sufficient light to grow. Too little light or dark conditions can cause excessive growth. Therefore, when raising succulents, it is appropriate to place it in a sunny place, and the best sun exposure.

      In summer, the temperature is too high, you need to use shading nets with a shading rate of 60%-70%, and avoid sun exposure at noon to avoid sunburn on the leaves of succulents; in other seasons, they can fully accept sunlight.

      Variegated succulents should be protected from the sun throughout the year. In winter, 20%-30% sunscreen can be used for full sun exposure, or placed in a place where it can be exposed to the morning sun and avoid the noon sun. In summer, it is recommended to use 80%-90% sunscreen and avoid the noon sun exposure.

6. How to make the succulents colourful?

      I believe this is an age-old problem. In fact, as long as you have enough patience and wait for the succulent roots to grow to full roots, under sufficient light, appropriate watering and temperature, the succulents will naturally emerge. Most of the succulents of Crassulaceae are very beautiful in winter. They gradually change colour in spring and autumn, and they are green in summer. These are normal phenomena. The most important thing about the succulent state is temperature.

      Beginners often see beautiful succulents and feel that all succulents should be beautiful and coloured, and then eagerly look for ways to make the succulents come out of the state, so as to promote the growth of the succulents and make them unhealthy. The most important thing about raising succulents is time and patience. If the temperature is reached, the light is reached, and the watering is well controlled, I believe it is difficult to keep the succulents out of the state.

      So, enjoy the process! Time is the best medicine!

7. Fungus & Insects

      Fungus refers to various harmful fungi and bacteria that can cause powdery mildew, black spots, and black rot on succulent leaves, which generally occur in humid seasons with high temperatures and continuous rain. Common ones are collar rot; downy mildew; leaf curl; rust; powdert mildew; leaf spot or black spot.

      Insect refers to insect pests, which are less in winter and more in spring and summer. Common ones are aphid; mites; thrips; scale; mealybug; whitefly; ants; caterpillar; snails and slugs!

      The following are a few medicines that can be bought on the Australian market for succulents. They do not involve advertisements and are purely personal experience sharing. In addition, the name has already been posted, please take your own search.

      If you need to buy, please read the product manual carefully before use.

A. Manutec 500g Wettable Sulphur

      Sulphur powder is a powdery bactericide. For the fleshy (powdery mildew, black spot) of the rotten leaves, a small amount of water can be sprayed on the fleshy leaves, or the roots can be watered after mixing with water. It can be used directly on the cut surface after the meat is cut off, or it can be dipped in a little to dry after removing the roots. Mixing soil is also a very good choice.

      Please note that spraying sulphur powder on the leaves after mixing with water will leave white marks. Those who don't like it, please choose the way of root irrigation. After spraying or irrigating the roots, put it in a cool place for them to recover. Be careful not to expose to the sun to prevent the leaves from getting sunburned.

B. Yates 150g Mancozeb Plus Garden Fungicide and Miticide

      The usage is the same as sulphur powder.

C. Bug Killa Granular Garden Insecticide RICHGRO

      Bug Killa Granular is a systemic insecticide. It is mainly used for mixing soil and sprinkling some on the pavement at regular intervals. Bug Killa Granular needs to be watered and absorbed by the succulents to be effective. It can be used to prevent insects, but it cannot kill the insects immediately, so it is a medicine that needs long-term use. (Do not use it on any fruits and vegetables that need to be eaten!)

      This product is mainly prevention and has a long effect. It needs to be used again every once in a while.

D. Yates Baythroid Advanced Insect Killer for Gardens NEW

      If you have seen insects in the fleshy pot, you can use this insecticide and mix it with water. Most of the insecticides on the Australian market are oily, which can easily cause the fleshy leaves to leave marks and disfigurement or sunburn; this is less likely, and the insecticidal ability is very strong, especially for fleshy insects.

      But also pay attention, after spraying or irrigating the roots, put it in a cool place to wait for the flesh to recover. Be careful not to expose to the sun to prevent the leaves from sunburn.

      This product is for therapeutic use, and the effect is not continuous. If pests are found continuously, it should be used continuously.

E. Ants & Snails & Slugs

      To prevent these three kinds of pests, you can search for the corresponding insecticides. It is recommended to sprinkle on the ground around the succulent shelves in the spring and autumn. Be careful not to touch the succulents!