What do you generally mean by how often to water succulents? Supplying succulents with optimal water amounts is a method of watering them. Succulents are plants adapted by evolution to store water in their leaves and/or stems which enables them to survive even when there is no sufficient moisture as found in deserts.
How Often To Water Succulents?
A Succulent plant requires less water, but when given this should be done in adequate amounts and infrequently. In general, most succulents require moderate watering where it should be watered after 1-2 weeks during their growing period, typically in spring and summer while in their dormancy period which is in the fall and winter, they should be watered after 3-4 weeks. This is the answer for How often to water succulents.
Factors Responsible For Water Succulents
It is advisable to know how often to water succulents and to wait for the soil to dry up entirely before conducting the next watering session to avoid complications such as rotting of roots. These factors may include the type of succulent requiring water, type of potting mix, size of the pot, position whether indoors or outside, and conditions such as humidity and temperature of the environment. For instance, plants within small or slender pots, or those that are positioned in areas with intense sunlight that provides heat may require water more often than plants in large containers or those placed in cooler, shaded areas.
Another good practice method is using your finger to check the soil moisture – if you insert your finger one inch into the soil, and the soil feels dry at that point, then it needs to be watered. Infrequently water, but water deeply to the extent that you see the water draining out from the bottom of the pot, thus providing water to the roots. Do not apply water to the foliage since this will result in the rotting of the leaves. Caring and nurturing the plants involves changing watering frequency by the changing seasons and conditions of the weather.
Here’s a detailed, pointwise explanation of guidelines on how to water succulents after understanding How often to water succulents. Go on reading to know it.
Active Growing Season (Spring And Summer):
Water the plant every fortnight or one week through the other. Avoid over-watering the plants, let the soil become dry before watering again. Testing moisture can be done by inserting a finger one inch into the soil.
Dormant Season (Fall And Winter):
Shrink the watering regimen once every three to four weeks. Prevent soils from drying up for instance by allowing them to dry for long hours.
Deep Watering:
– Pour ample water and allow the water to drain out from the bottom of the vessel.
– This stimulates deeper root development.
Use Well-Draining Soil:
– This is to ensure that a proper soil mix is formulated in a way that drains well to avoid root rots.
– The best potting mix to use is cactus or succulent as it is recommended for citrus trees as well.
Container Size:
Small pots may require more water compared to large ones since they are likely to dry up very often. As mentioned, large pots retain water for a relatively longer time and thus require less watering as compared to the others.
Light And Heat Exposure:
There are times when succulents grow under extreme heat from the sun or hot weather; hence, they require more water than usual. Plants in the more shaded, cooler areas require less watering than those situated in a brighter part of the lawn or garden.
Humidity Levels:
During warm and humid conditions, avoid watering more frequently. Depending on the weather conditions, the kind of succulent you grow may require frequent water refill, perhaps in dry countries the succulents may require more water than most other regions.
Avoid Overwatering:
One of the primary problems that result from over-watering is root rot and eventually, plant death. Shallowly water for brief periods and look for symptoms such as wilting, softness, or discoloration of the foliage.
Watering Technique:
The plant requires 2-3 small watering per week and more often the soil around the stem should be watered rather than the foliage due to the danger of root rot. Water the plants using a watering can with a small hole through which the water can be delivered to the base of the plants.
Environmental Adjustments:
This means that watering needs to be altered when there are changes in the season or the environment. Supervise the plant’s condition and adjust the schedule if necessary.
Conclusion
How often to water succulents? Therefore, watering succulents can be summed up to the fact that they need more frequent but less frequent and concentrated watering that accompanies traditional plants, moreover, the soil should be very dry between watering. Regarding the frequency of watering, it depends on the growing season, pot size, the intensity of the light, and the climate of the area where the plants are placed. It is recommended that one grows roses in well-drained soils and that over-watering should be discouraged because it leads to root rot. For your succulents to remain healthy and full of colours start making periodic check-ups and change its watering regime as and when you want. This was all about how often to water succulents.
FAQ
What Are The Signs That Succulents Require Water?
To know when to water a plant, you just need to feel the moisture content of the soil with your finger, an inch away from the bottom of a pot, which can easily be measured by the human hand. This method is very simple yet sufficient: dryness indicates the necessity for watering while its absence shows that it has been supplied enough with liquid during previous days or hours. Dullness, limpness in appearance and shriveling leaves indicate dehydration in plants.
Is It Safe To Use The Ordinary Potting Soil For Succulents?
It is advisable to use a soil mix that is characteristic of cactus or succulent since this type of soil has a better drainage system. Organic farming soils have a fine texture and high water retention capacity which in most cases leads to root rot.
What Are Some Symptoms Of Overwatering Of The Succulent Plant?
Symptoms include wilting of the leaves, leaf distortion such as soft, mushy, or discolored leaves, and plant swelling. The soil might also even look like a pool of water or the soil might look like it is saturated with water.
How Should One Water Succulents That Are Planted In A Container Without Drainage Holes?
It is suggested that containers used for plants should not be those that do not have holes in them so that drainage of water can be effective in preventing the formation of moisture that could rot the plants at the base. If needed, water is extremely little and it is advisable to wait until the soil gets dry before water is administered again.
Can I Use A Spray Bottle For Watering My Succulents?
It’s advised not to use a spray bottle because the water droplets end up sitting on the leaves, thus encouraging rot. However, pour water on the ground rather than sprinkling it on the plants because this may cause an infection known as botrytis.
What Are Some In-Demand Succulents Plants In America?
Most desired succulent plants are
- Crown of Thorns
- Jade Plant
- Aloe Vera
- Panda Plant
Sources:
https://www.retroden.com/blog/2018/how-much-how-often-to-water-succulent
https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/gardens/planting-and-maintenance/how-often-do-water-succulents
https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/how-often-to-water-succulents/
We have covered all the below topics in the above article
Watering succulents frequency
Succulent watering schedule
Succulent care watering
How to water succulents
