You don’t necessarily need to have a green thumb to grow the succulent, a plant with fleshy leaves. These exotic plants are easy to maintain thanks to their water retention mechanism. Here’s how to make a substrate to grow them.
Full of juice, succulents are ideal for decorating your interiors because, like cacti and succulents, they are perfectly resistant to drought. They are therefore perfect for those who are not gardeners at heart and want to have vegetation at home.
What are the particularities of this mini-plant?
If these indoor plants are going to be grown by novices in botany, it is because they have the power to acclimatize, even in desert areas. Their greasy appearance is due to the water reserves present in these plants. The reason ? They are waterlogged like aloe and that is why we owe them their fleshy foliage. Succulents can store water when temperatures rise in their roots or stem. This sap is packed with nutrients that ensure its survival even in the driest climates. Due to this peculiarity, they can also flower on rocks. An ideal oilseed variety, therefore, for those who wish to learn about plant cultivation. If you have an apartment, this plant is one of the indoor plants to adopt to perfume your home.
Where do these little plants come from?
Aloes, of which succulents are a part, have centuries of history. And for good reason, they were introduced to Europe in the 15th century by Bartolomeu and Vasco de Gama, who discovered them on the African continent and in the country of Gandhi. It was the famous Christopher Columbus who introduced different varieties of cacti. Four hundred years later, the Dutch East India Company compiled the succulent plant species for the country.
What are the species of this miniature plant?
This green plant native to the American continent can be counted in a wide variety of species. Among them, echeverias, cactiaceae or even agaves. These plants that you can plant in the most hostile climates are particularly present in certain regions of the United States where Yucca brecifolia, also called Joshua Tree, is often found. In Africa the Aloes species predominates while in Madagascar we can admire euphorbias and pachypodiums. In kangaroo land we find hoyas and brachychitons. The Canary Islands, on the other hand, are famous for succulents called aeonium. Although certain species of this sap-rich plant, such as Sempervivums or sedums, are found in northern Europe, this fatty plant remains quite rare in other regions. Near the Mediterranean, we can find it with a very small size.
Why are these green plants perfect for beginners?
Mini plants are on the rise, but if it is wise to welcome cacti and succulents at home, it is because they are resistant and do not require much maintenance. As explained above, these plants do not need moist soils because they store their reserves in their sap. Did you know that they can live without watering, transplanting or fertilizer? These desert plants are decorative in an interior because they can be found in various colors, shapes and textures. If you feel like an artist, you can create your own compositions according to your tastes. You can grow these plants in pots or plant them in jars, metal boxes or in the ground. A sensible alternative if you find it difficult to care for your plants.
How do you maintain the succulent plant?
The maintenance of this exotic plant is easy because they do not require a high frequency of watering. To water succulents it will be necessary to wait until the soil is dry before hydrating the plant. At this time, it is important to promote a large flow of water to take care of the latter, which can sometimes grow on stones. You must also take into account its physiological rest time, making sure to keep it dry during the winter season. It is this scarcity that will allow it to bloom in spring. because they need dry land. And for good reason, it is this dryness that makes them beautiful when they bloom. However, watering succulents is essential, although you have to wait until the soil is very dry. Water will have to be poured over it if these plants are in a perforated pot. It is the substrate, the support where plants grow, which may contain rocks, which retains water and provides them with the water necessary for irrigation. A waiting period is essential for the excess water to disappear before putting the plant in its pot. If your pot is not perforated, make sure a layer of water covers its bottom, making sure not to overwater.
What irrigation to choose?
Depending on where you have decided to plant your succulents, you will need to adapt your watering accordingly. If you have decided to place them outside, in the ground, you will only need to use the watering can once you have started planting them. Rain will be the source of hydration for this plant that tolerates periods of drought well. If you want to grow it in a pot, you will have to make sure that the weather is rainy. If so, you will only need to water when you start planting. To keep it beautiful inside your house, you will only have to water it once in winter. , up to twice in spring and autumn. When temperatures rise during the summer, it will be necessary to water them more frequently, once a week. If you respect these precautions, your plant cultivation will be sustainable for the greatest pleasure of your eyes.
What exposure is needed for plant care?
Given the climate in which succulents thrive, it goes without saying that they should be placed in a sunny location. And for good reason, without light, the sap-rich plant can cause it to lose its evergreen color. If you want to keep it beautiful for a long time, you will need to change its location regularly depending on the light in the room or outside. If this cactus-like plant thrives in the latter environment, feel free to place it in the brightest location depending on its species. This crop is suitable for Aloe variegata, Haworthia or Kalanchoe blossfeldiana. If you are fond of indoor gardening, you will have to put the pots or containers near a window except for Aloe and Gasteria that need less light. In summer it is advisable to place it outside so that it maintains its intense colors. The reason ? Those desert plants that stay indoors for a long time become more vulnerable to light. To avoid attacking them with light, it is important to expose them gradually every two weeks before placing them in a very sunny place in summer. To have a green thumb, you need to know basic gestures. These 10 tips will transform your garden.
How to prepare the substrate for succulents?
To prepare the soil where your succulent thrives, it should not be too wet. Too much water causes the roots to rot. When these easy-to-maintain plants have fragile roots, a lighter substrate containing fewer nutrients should be adopted. To overcome this deficiency, choose to add fertilizer more regularly to feed the plant. Succulents that have hard roots need a thicker potting mix to provide them with the necessary nutrients and minerals. If you are a beginner, you can get some substrate from the nursery and add something simple to it. This method is economical for those who grow many plants with a large amount of fertilizer. The disadvantage of this soil is that it may not be suitable for rare species that require special care. To enrich your planting, you will need to mix the proportion of two-thirds universal potting soil with one-third sand. This preparation is ideal for the vast majority of species. The third substrate consists of preparing a soil based on one third of the classic potting soil of the same amount of sand and garden soil. Its advantage? It is perfect for those who plant succulents outdoors. This latest mine of nutrients for your sap-filled plants is dedicated to the most experienced gardeners. And for good reason, it consists of both topsoil, classic substrate, peat, perlite and sand.
How to care for these plants on a daily basis?
If succulents do not necessarily require a lot of maintenance, it is important to repot them every two to four years. The interest of this gesture is to keep the soil full of nutrients to help the succulents flourish and maintain their beautiful colors. To know when you should transplant them, there are signs that do not deceive. This is the case when the roots are evident , the leaves change color or the branches begin to fall.
What are the transplant requirements for succulents?
To repot these soaked plants, you will have to wait until spring and more specifically in March or April. The only condition you should transplant outside of this time is if you notice that the roots are dry. If these plants are planted in the garden, it will be necessary to choose a steep and stony location. If you choose the pot, you will have to adapt its size according to the size you want because the succulent adapts to the chosen container. If you choose the latter in a larger size, the plant will be able to expand and have significant growth. For Crassule or Aeonium species, it is advisable to take a pot of the same size so that they are more structured. It is preferable to choose it perforated to avoid the phenomenon of stagnant water that can seep to the bottom and damage the roots. For the plant to grow well, it is a good idea to pour a layer of water with clay pebbles and gravel before laying the soil. After placing the substrate, you will have to wait a few days before using the watering can. If you host this desert plant in the winter season, you will have to wait until the temperatures are milder to water it. If you have a garden, it is essential to protect it. That’s why it’s important to learn how to get rid of pests without chemicals.