Succulents are one of the most common plants in our homes as they are decorative and easy to care for. But sometimes, our succulents get poached, and their leaves turn slimy, yellow, or translucent. And one of the main reasons why these plants are spoiled is irrigation. or especially, excess water.
You have to think that these types of plants grow in dry climates and are adapted to water scarcity. In fact, succulents store a lot of water in their leaves to survive a lack of rain. Due to their characteristics, succulents They take better to go thirsty than to be watered in excess.
Mistakes you should not make when watering your succulent
To begin with, it is important study irrigation frequency. Assuming that succulents naturally live in dry environments, it is not necessary to water it too much. Actually, there is no fixed rule that tells us when we should water them; but it is clear that if you live in a very hot climate, you should give it away more than if you live in a more humid and cooler climate.
A formula that usually works to know if we should water our succulents is touch the substrate with your finger. If you see that the surface soil is dry, or if you dig a little and see that there is no moisture at all, it is time to water it. Nothing wrong with leaving the soil completely dry for four or five days either: succulents prefer to go thirsty to live drowned in water.
The second mistake many people make is always water by wetting the leaves. You can do it occasionally, because that way you also clean the leaves of dust, but if you do it regularly, you will lead your plants to ruin. Watering in this way can cause mold, or even rot. It is best to water the substrate, I pour water into the plate so that the soil can absorb it.
The third mistake many people make when watering a succulent is pour a little water. In fact, many people spray water with a sprayer thinking that they barely need water. And that is not a good idea. It is true that succulents do not like excess moisture, but they do need water to reach their roots. With a sprayer, you will only wet the leaves and the first layer of the substrate, so the roots will not be able to absorb that water. In fact, when you see that the soil is completely dry, you have to water it abundantly so that it is soaked and the roots can absorb the water well. If your pots have good drainage, you won’t have any problems.
And at this point, errors 4 and 5 arrive. The substrate, and the pots. Two points that have to do with the drainage of your plant. On the one hand, many people do not choose well the substrate of your succulents. And that influences in a very negative way when it comes to watering. There are substrates that retain a lot of moisture, and that is something that succulents cannot stand. It is best to choose a special substrate for succulents, or add a little sand to the substrate you have so that the water drains easily and your succulent does not drown.
When it comes to the type of pot, you should choose a model that has several holes so that it drains well. If it has holes in the base and on the sides, all the better. And if, in addition, your pot is clay, the succulents will greatly appreciate it, since this material absorbs moisture, and creates the right conditions for your plant by eliminating excess water.
Photographs | pexels
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