They've been around for some time. It may be your grandma's aloe vera or your newly bought crassula hybrid. These little plants called succulents have gained the spotlight for a couple of years now, and it continues to be a never-ending trend. These drought-tolerant, out-of-this-world beauties captured the hearts of enthusiasts of all ages. Aside from their aesthetic uniqueness, people love succulents because they are quite easier to maintain than their water-loving counterparts. Let me share with you some of my wrong mindsets in caring for these pricks and rosettes, and how to correct them.
Wrong mindset #1: "It's for the 'tamad' like me"
While it's true that succulents require lower maintenance than other plants, it still needs to be cared for. Occasionally, succulents love to be drenched with water. But it's important to let the soil dry before the next watering because of the possibility of root rot. In case this problem occurs, you can still try to save the plant by cutting the healthy stem, then allow it to heal before planting again. Another thing that we can do to strategize our watering is to group them according to their water needs. In that way, we won't worry about our lilies being thirsty, or our cacti sitting on the water.
Wrong mindset #2: "More sun, less water, that's it." Succulents are very forgiving in terms of harsh elements. Just take note that not all of them are the same. Fortunately, we can get a little clue to their light requirements by looking at their color: those with yellowish to green color love the shade, while the orange and red ones prefer the sun. Know their perfect spot in your garden or patio and allow them to enjoy it.
Wrong mindset #3: "They can grow in any soil." Whether collecting succulents in small pots or growing them wildly on the ground, it's necessary to start with the right soil. A fast-draining medium can be best achieved by adding amendments like perlite-- a lightweight granular material that improves aeration and modifies the soil substructure, keeping it loose and well-draining--just how succulents would love it. But that's not all, making sure that the soil has the right amount of nutrients will help us bring out the full beauty of our collection. Having good soil also aids in successful propagation. We can just cut leaves, stems, or offsets of our favorite variety, place them over a rich, fast-draining soil, and voila! We will wake up to a nursery full of new growths!
These are just some things that I learned about as I care for these cute "succies." As they continue to be a trend, we will discover more about them. And as we go along in growing them, we will know their preferences better.
"The Wonders of Pricks and Rosettes: Wrong Mindsets and How to Correct Them"
Posted by Jewel Sebastian on