Cacti & Succulents
Succulents are border by myth and legend , from impossible resilience to the ability to defy almost any conditions . Watch out for these myths about succulents to avoid any mature mishaps .
Contents
As an avid succulent grower , I have done my fair share of research and in the process , fall across a all-embracing range of myth – some more thwarting than others . I thinksucculent plantsmay be the plant mathematical group with the most myths attached to them , possibly occur second only to houseplants .
So , to avoid any unneeded succulent demise in the future , I ’m here to expose some of the most vulgar myths I ’ve heard . Many of them have some chemical element of truth but are often taken so far out of setting that it ’s unacceptable to evidence the difference anymore .
If you ’ve fallen for any of these myth , you ’re certainly not alone . But now , you’re able to be part of the front to sort fact from fiction .
Myth 1: They Are Impossible To Kill
succulent are often labeled as ‘ knotty ’ or great for beginners with perceive bleak thumbs . This may be attributed to their grim - care needs or even their structural look , convincing millions that succulent are the things to raise because they are almost impossible to kill .
regrettably , anyone who has more than a little experience growing succulents will fuck that is completely false . It ’s in reality quite easy to kill succulents if you give them the incorrect care or surround . They may buy the farm comparatively slowly compared to other plants as they cling to life , but that does n’t intend they are n’t pass away .
I call up this reputation has duped new gardeners into fall in up on works altogether . How often have you take heed someone say they do n’t garden because they ‘ ca n’t even keep a succulent alive ’ ? succulent are either overprotect over or totally forget about , leading to their ultimate dying .
Do n’t get me wrong – succulent are not hard to care for . Once you understand their need and place them in the perfect spot , they are amongst the least demand plants you may grow . But that does n’t mean a few common mistakes wo n’t obliterate them early .
Myth 2: They Are Good Indoor Plants
The 2d myth is one that I hear the most often – succulents are swell for produce indoors . This is another myth that leads unexampled gardener to think succulents are easy , only to find their precious plants stretched and belittle within a couple of month .
The plants we normally keep indoors are called houseplants because they are glad to endure indoors . Houseplants commonly come from the tropics and are accustomed to warmth and comparatively high humidness . They also stomach the low-spirited abstemious levels found indoors and are often classify as shade plants .
Besides the temperature needs , all the preferent conditions for succulents are just about the contrary of those . They prefer wry air over humidity , and most ca n’t handle low-pitched light source at all . They might not sputter for the first few weeks , but behind the scenes , they are simply expire slowly .
If you have a juiceless and gay spot with enough air flow around the plant , succulentscanthrive indoors . But these conditions are rarefied . If you discover any stretch or weak growth , it ’s almost certainly the result of inadequate indoor term .
Myth 3: All Succulents Need Full Sun
Speaking of sunlight , it ’s important to dispel the myth that all succulent need full sun .
Most vulgar succulents from desert environment are used to a full day of direct sun . This is especially important for the structural and geometrical types – like Echeverias or Haworthias – that rely on full sun condition to maintain their succinct form .
But not all succulents make out from the desert . Schlumbergera is a great example ; the genus containing the pop Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus is often grow indoors . These species come in from tropic jungle and need a little more sun than other houseplants , but certainly do n’t need 10 60 minutes of unmediated sun to grow successfully .
Most succulent will apprise more verbatim light than indirect Inner Light . But as always , it ’s important to tick the motive of your particular species , endeavor to replicate their aboriginal environment as much as possible .
Myth 4: They Don’t Need To Be Watered
Succulents are perhaps most famous for their drought - tolerant nature . This is , after all , what defines the group . Succulents are plants that store additional H2O in their farewell to come through in time of drouth , preferring to grow in dry soil with periods of infrequent rain or watering .
This circumscribed need for water , along with frequent warnings against overwatering , has led to the myth that succulents do n’t really involve to be water . Some nurseryman may believe that initial watering or minimal rain is enough to keep these plants happy , as they are accustomed to dry out , desert - like conditions .
While it is dependable that succulent can survive without water for a set longer than some other garden plants , they do still postulate to be water . Long periods without water can direct to stress that slows their ontogeny and pull in the plants more vulnerable to pest and disease issue .
you may allow the dirt to dry out completely between lachrymation , especially in container , but do n’t bury about them at all . If you notice shriveled leave-taking or stunted growth , you ’ve waited too long .
Myth 5: Succulents And Cacti Are The Same Thing
Despite its ubiquity , ‘ succulent ’ is not a technological categorisation ( by nomenclature banner ) . rather , it is a general full term used to describe plants that store piss in their leave . The word arise from the Latinsucus , mean sap . This group covers many plant life families and many different genus .
Cacti is the common term used to trace plant in theCactaceaefamily . They are also known for their unbelievable water - storing ability – hence their relation to succulents . But these two price do not describe the same matter .
To put it simply , cacti are succulents , but not all succulents are cacti . TheCactaceaefamily is described as succulents because of their water - storing holding , but many other industrial plant are report as succulent that are not part of the cactus group .
Myth 6: They Can Grow In Any Soil
Because succulent are quite bouncy , this no - fuss nature is often go to the soil they grow in . Their tolerance is believed to include grunge type , fight gardener to plant their succulents in any dirt they find lie around and hoping for the best .
Succulents tolerate many things , but incorrect soil type is not one of them . They are really quite fussy about their soil , expect very airy and well - draining territory to copy consideration in their native habitats .
You ’ll find specialised succulent and cacti filth mixing at your local glasshouse . These formula are mixed with many granulose factor to improve drainage in the soil and appropriate gentle wind to flow around the roots . They wo n’t treasure grow in nourishing - poor George Sand alone , but they do like soil with plenty of sand mixed in .
If you ’re shy about your soil character , there are a few things you’re able to attempt to test if it is suitable for succulents . The easiest is to add up water to the soil and watch how quickly it drain . instead , you’re able to clump the territory in your manus . If it sticks together , it is potential too thick for succulent plants .
Myth 7: They Are Tough Enough To Handle Any Climate
Along the same lines as the soil line , gardeners may also believe that succulents are sturdy enough to manage any climate , from snow to extreme passion . But , like all plant , the tolerance of succulents come down to the conditions in their aboriginal environments .
Some succulent coinage are quite cold - stalwart . You ’d be surprised how cold it can get in desert areas , especially in wintertime during nighttime . Some options are stout down to Zone 3 or even lower ( although there are very few once you send packing below 3a ) . However , not all succulents can handle these conditions , and many detest the moth-eaten , quickly succumbing to cellular impairment .
As with any plant , the key is to search and translate the specific requisite of the succulents you want to develop . prefer the right plant life for your zone ( or protecting them over winter if your dreaming succulents fall out of your zona ) will limit any inadvertent impairment because of sudden temperature dip .
Myth 8: They Need Regular Feeding
Succulents areoften grown in containers worldwide , and with this comes the testimonial of steady fertilizing . This does make sense – food leach from the territory in containers much quicker with regular watering and are n’t often put back by industrial plant or compost , requiring nurseryman to bestow nutrient back into the soil manually .
But it ’s important to remember what dirt shape are preferred for succulents . In their aboriginal habitats , ground are not peculiarly nutritious dense . They do hold in nutrients that allow the plant to spring up and thrive ( no flora can hold out without nutrients ) , but they do n’t need these food in large sum .
If you dramatise a regular feeding routine as you might with other container plants , you will likely burn the sensitive roots and leave-taking . This will quickly stunt outgrowth , blockade any new development rather than speed it . Some eating can be beneficial , but it ’s important not to overdo it . An annual feedingwith half - strong suit fertilizeris usually enough to satisfy most coarse succulents .
Myth 9: They Need Large Containers To Spread
succulent are not typically considered nimble growers . They do finally spread , with several mintage producing plantlets that create dense clod of outgrowth in container or beds .
This dull growth is a natural characteristic of most succulent coinage . But some people may conceive they can get around this gadget characteristic and speed up development by providing a larger container . succulent ordinarily issue forth in quite pocket-size mass , and there is some logic to the belief that giving them a much larger space to spread will equal rapid growth and elaboration .
Unfortunately , the opposition is unfeigned . Succulents prefer to be throttle to their containers with soaked root systems . If too much space is below the dirt channel , the plant will prioritize spreading roots , halting emergence above the ground almost whole . This extra soil will also retain some extra moisture in area where the roots do n’t attain , peradventure leading to fungous growth and the development of root rot .
If you ’re repotting your succulent , prefer a pot one size of it up or two sizes maximal , depending on what you ’re growing . Your flora will grow far better this mode than if you had to speed forrader to a monumental container .
Myth 10: They Don’t Need To Be Pruned
Pruning is a regular part of plant concern both indoors and out . It help form plants , improve growth , and remove damage areas that draw vigour away from new increment . Despite the many benefits , succulent growers do n’t often include these plant in their pruning bit .
Succulents can gain from pruning just like other works . It may not be command as often , but it is still an important part of care . The most vital time to prune is when you spot domain of hurt or disease . Trimming will ameliorate overall plant health and confine the spread of harmful outlet that can toss off your flora if not controlled .
Pruning is also utilitarian for controlling growth . String succulents like the drawstring of pearls are the first plant to come to mind . Mine become straggly as they hang off the side of containers , finally becoming too heavy to halt up long vines . A quick trim and generation academic session will take the insistency off the roots and makes the plant look much healthier overall .
You wo n’t need to keep your shears ready to hand invariably but do n’t forget to tally pruning to your succulent care checklist .
Myth 11: You Can Forget About Them And They Will Still Survive
If anything is light across these incorrect myth , it ’s that succulents are not non-living objects that can be bought and forget about . They need the right care like any other plant – it just so happens that that care is less onerous than what we may look .
Your succulent may be capable to outlive hebdomad or even months without attention , but they will eventually give in to this deficiency of forethought . give them the correct environment and attention , and void the fault have by these myth , will help you grow a thrive succulent solicitation with very little effort .
Final Thoughts
Now that you know what ’s myth versus what ’s realism when it come to growing succulent , the next steps are to make certain you provide yours the proper care they need . With a slight TLC , there ’s no intellect your succulent wo n’t know long and happy lives whether grown indoors or outdoors .
