Candy Floriculture Guide to Caring for Succulent

Care for Succulents and Cactus

General Care for Succulents

What is a Succulent?

A succulent is any plant that has adapted to dry climates by storing water in its leaf, stem and/or roots. They are called ‘succulent’ because the cells swollen with water are ‘juicy’. Examples are cactus, aloe and jade plant. When you break or cut these plants, you can see that they are full of water.

Succulents are highly resilient and adaptable but, like all plants, they have their preferences in terms of light, water and temperature. Succulents will survive in spite of neglect but the stress can make them more susceptible to pest and disease, and can tarnish their perfect beauty.

Light (Indoors)A Sunny window or bright place with at least 4 hours of direct sun per day is best. Without enough light they ‘seach’ for light, growing long thin weak growth. This ‘growth’ is usually considered fast and is light green in clor with leaves spaced far apart. Most succulents grow slowly and have compact growth in rich colors. Without enough light, the plant will eventually die.

Light (Outdoors)

Most succulents are sun lovers but they do appreciate a little shade in hot afternoons in July and August when they can burn, leaving scars. Many succulents in the natural habitat are protected rom the hottest part of the day by trees , shrubs and grasses.

Water

The thing to remember is that succulents do not like to stay wet for longer periods. Remember also that they have adapted to dry climates by filling up water like a camel in order to survive droughts and dry periods. Watering well, then allowing to dry between watering simulates their natural habitat. If kept contantly moist, most succulents will rot.

So How do you know then the soil is dry? You can go by the weight of the pot as it is much lighter when dry.

Some succulents are extremely water sensitive so checking the soil is crucial, while other succulents are a little more forgiving. When you water it, make sure the soil is soaking up the water. Sometimes completely dry soil will just repel the water and it will dreain out the bottom with the soil remaining completely dry. A tray under the pot is useful in allowing soil to soak up water from the bottom. Always use soil that drains well.

Most succulents need more water when they are in bloom and when in their active growing season. The majority of succulents are spring-summer growers, dormant in winter. Others are fall-winter growers, dormant in summer.

When actively growing, succulents need more water; water deeply and water again just before the soil dries out completely. Summer growers are easier to grow because its hot and sunny and the plants are using the water quickly and the heat is helping to dry out the soil. 

Soil

'Keep it simple', Candy Floriculture Recommends NELSOL a revolutionary Soil Technology that’s like play dough with hardly or no maintenance. For this reason, succulents live up to a year without growing big and with limited water supply, the plant grows best. For more information on Nelsol Click Here

For more information, contact Candy Floriculture at 567 Thomson Road. Singapore 298183. T (65) 256 6788  F: (65) 6255 2878  E: [email protected]  W: www.candy.com.sg