Succulents are a great way to decorate the interior. These plants are suitable even for rooms with poor lighting. Dry air is not afraid of them either. Their endurance allows the flower to develop at low temperatures, however, the optimum climate for succulents is room temperature and high humidity. That is why plants are often placed close to the aquarium or in bathrooms with natural light.
What are succulents?
Succulents are plants that can store moisture in leaves and stems. They grow on rocks, in sand, in tropical and subtropical forests. Plants are resistant and able to tolerate large temperature fluctuations, both seasonal and diurnal. Succulents have much in common with cacti. Their care, cultivation and reproduction are identical. A distinctive feature of the cactus family is the presence of buds from which thorns appear.
Some domestic succulents accumulate moisture throughout the body, while others only in the stem or leaves. Such plants can be represented in the form of trees, bushes, vines and so on. That is why it becomes difficult to determine which group the plant belongs to.
How to care?
The best place for succulents, as well as for cacti, is a window facing the south side. Plants should be in the sun for at least 4 hours a day. Each plant in the succulents group prefers its degree of dryness. Flowers from the jungle love regular watering, while agave, like cacti, can stand without water for several weeks and feel good.
Succulent is a plant that goes well with a cactus in one pot. Florists recommend laying multi-colored pebbles or drainage on top of the soil. Such an adornment in combination with a clay pot will adequately adorn the windowsill.
Succulents grow quite slowly, so they need less nitrogen than other indoor plants. If it is not possible to purchase a special fertilizer for cacti, it can be replaced with a solution of phosphorus fertilizer with a low nitrogen content. Plants need to be fertilized only during the period of active growth.
Watering
The main mistake of gardeners is abundant winter watering. Succulent is a plant that needs enough spraying in the winter. If you think that the plant does not have enough moisture, pay attention to its leaves. With a lack of water, the leaves begin to wrinkle, but do not rush to sound the alarm, the plant quickly recovers when watering.
In spring and summer, succulents and cacti begin a phase of active growth. At this time, the plant needs the most water. Water it often, but a little. Otherwise, the root system will rot.
Important Tips
Sooner or later, any grower is faced with a problem whose solution does not come to mind. For this, a list of the most common problems with plants and their solutions has been compiled. For instance:
- The flower turns black at the root. The cause of the disease is basal rot, which now extends to the stem. Most likely, this is due to excessive watering, but there are times when poor aeration of the soil becomes the fault. To save the plant, scrape off the blackening with a saw blade, wait for the callus to appear, and start watering the plant again. In more advanced cases, the plant is better to transplant.
- Stems and leaves are wrinkled and sluggish . The problem is insufficient watering. Succulents - a plant that can withstand long without water, but do not abuse it. To bring the flower back to normal, water it and spray the adrenal part. Water the next day again. Then wait three days and water again a little. After this procedure, the plant will return to its former form.
- Brown or gray spots appeared. The plant received a burn. Move the succulent to a shady place and reduce its time in the sun.
- Dark cork spots. The reason is the fungus. To restore the plant, reduce watering, provide the root system with air.
Insects on the stem. Most likely, your flower attacked the aphids. Remove the damaged stems and treat the plant with an insecticidal solution.
Get to know each other
Below will be listed popular home plants - cacti, succulents. Photos and names will also be given later in the article.
- Echinopsis . Popularly known as sea urchin. Blooms 2-3 times during the summer.
- Easter cactus. Another name is Christmas. This plant perfectly tolerates a lack of light, needs more abundant watering. It blooms in winter.
- Agave It has many varieties. In winter, it needs good lighting, in summer it is better to put the flower in fresh air. It blooms only in the wild or in the open ground.
- Crassula . Better known as the money tree. It has a woody shape. Unpretentious, grows well at home. Plants over 10 years old can bloom. Good lighting and abundant watering improve the color of the leaves.
These are one of the most common types of succulents that can be found in almost every home.