Land for succulent plants. Succulents, planting and care

Succulents are an amazing plant species that win hearts with their unusual beauty and unpretentiousness in care. All they need is plenty of ambient light, a comfortable potty, and a little care from you. A feature of this group of plants is the ability to accumulate water in their fancy leaves, and for a long time do without watering in drought conditions. This allows succulents to adapt to any conditions while continuing to grow well. That is why they are actively used in design decoration apartments, public institutions and, of course, gardens. How to grow succulents so that they feel comfortable and grow diligently, we will talk in this article.

Succulent flowers - a general description of plants

Succulents are large group plants, which consist of special cells capable of in large numbers accumulate water. From Latin, the term "succulentus" is translated as "juicy", which is fully consistent with such plants.

The succulent group includes many different cultures, which are often not even related to each other by family relationship or common origin. And their similar external features caused by the same climatic conditions of growth - rocky terrain and dry weather.

According to the principle of accumulation of water reserves, succulents are divided into types - leaf and stem. The first type of succulents accumulates moisture in voluminous leaves. The most famous representatives are aloe, havortiya, Kalanchoe and young.

The second type is able to absorb moisture with a ribbed and slightly thickened stem. The leaves of stem succulents are often small, not thickened or completely transformed into sharp spines. The stems are densely covered with villi or small spines, which protects plants from being eaten by animals in their natural habitat - in the deserts of America or dry African regions. The most famous among stem succulents are most representatives of the Cactus family - carnegia, monozolia, cereus, as well as lithops (stone flowers).

Interesting! Many are mistaken in thinking that cacti and succulents are the same plants. In fact, all cacti really belong to the general group of succulents, as do many other families. But not all succulents are cacti, so these two concepts should not be equated.

Since succulents come from many different families, it is very difficult to describe them. botanical features. Therefore, consider common features plants that combine them into one category:

A succulent is considered to be a plant with high drought-resistant abilities paired with the ability to accumulate moisture in succulent leaves or stems.
All succulents come from dry, dusty and hot countries, so frequent rains or abundant watering produce a detrimental effect on them.
Succulent plants are able to develop normally and even bloom when watered only a few times a year.
A thin wax coating (cuticle), which appears bluish in the sun, serves as a shield against scorching sun and improper moisture consumption. Some species that do not have such a cover are densely pubescent on the stems.
The protective mechanism of succulents is the death of the aerial part in the event of a prolonged drought and its complete restoration after the appearance of moisture.
All succulents have very elastic leaves and a ribbed stem, which allows the top layer of the plant not to burst when water accumulates in it.

Succulents - home care

For growing and creating decorative compositions, it is better to use cultivated and adapted succulents for these purposes. Succulents such as agave, aloe, faucaria, tetragonia, titanopsis, spurge, echeveria and most types of cacti create a minimum of hassle in care.

It is generally accepted that succulents do not need care and can grow on their own for months, this is not entirely true. Of course, they are very tolerant of neglect, but a little care still needs to be taken. Therefore, the basic skills of how to care for succulents need to be mastered by all beginner gardeners.

Necessary climatic conditions for succulents

Growing succulents is becoming exciting process, if from the very beginning you choose good for plants sunny place. But the intensity and duration of sunlight should be selected taking into account the specific type of succulent.

The ideal place for a succulent is a sunny veranda, a window sill, but if the apartment is well lit by the daytime sun, then the flowerpot can be placed anywhere. Succulents do not tolerate shade well and quickly begin to stretch upwards, being exposed to various diseases.

Succulents feel better in dry and hot houses, but high humidity harms plants and can cause them to rot. Optimal Mode for most succulents at home - 20-25⁰С in summer, and 5-15⁰С in winter during their sleep. Also, many plants need fluctuations in night and daytime temperatures within 5-10⁰С.

Choosing a pot and soil for succulents

The soil for succulents needs mineral, mostly sandy and necessarily loose. Also, succulents can fully grow even in a stone environment, for example, in gravel with the minimum amount earth.

It is more convenient to buy ready-made soil for succulents with an optimally selected composition. For example, succulents develop well in the soil "Biagro" or in the soil composition "Vermion" with an additional content of vermicompost. Acidity does not play a special role for succulents, but it is better to choose a neutral pH.

The exception is epiphytic succulents, which need special soil for succulents, just like orchids. It contains tree bark, coal and moss.

You can make the soil yourself. This will require sheet soil, sand and pebbles in a ratio of 2:2:1. Instead of pebbles, you can use broken brick, vermiculite or perlite.

Mineralized soil is more suitable for group plantings of succulents. It should contain enough potassium, moderate phosphorus and very little nitrogen. To improve friability and drainage, crushed expanded clay can be added to the finished mixture.

Pots for succulents can be very different. The size of the flowerpot does not matter, the main thing is that the succulents look beautiful in it. You can use classic ceramic or plastic containers.

At the peak of popularity is the creation of unique compositions of succulents in the form of a mini-garden. To do this, use a variety of glass florariums in the form of balls, triangles or broken geometric shapes.

Also often used vertical fit succulents in special boxes with metal bars inside that hold the roots of plants. Such flowerpots resemble living paintings on the walls.

How to plant succulents

Planting succulents has its own characteristics, compliance with which will determine the further growth of flowers:

To begin with, no matter what kind of soil you have, homemade or purchased, it must be warmed up in the oven before planting succulents. This will decontaminate the soil from harmful bacteria. You also need to disinfect all working tools and the pot.
On the bottom of the flowerpot you need to lay a ball of any pebbles or broken brick. The drainage volume should be no more than ¼ of the flowerpot, and the size of the fraction is selected in accordance with the holes in the bottom.
Next, you should pour the prepared soil, while bending the flowerpot at an angle of 45⁰.
Then, using the transshipment method, plant the succulents in a flowerpot, fill the voids with earth. Putting the flowerpot in a vertical position, knock a little on the walls so that the succulent sags well along with the soil.
Must be placed on top thin layer small expanded clay around the open root collar. This will protect it from the development of rot.
Watering after transplantation is not carried out, and only after 3-5 days, when the plant adapts, it can be moderately watered.

How to water succulents

Improper watering is the most common cause of plant death. Roots should not be in wet substrate. Watering is moderate and infrequent, depending on the size of the pot and the time of year.

In the spring, it is recommended to water the plant once a week, and in the summer half as often. V winter period most species sleep, so watering succulents from October to April is reduced to once a month. And all representatives of the Cactus family are completely left without watering.

How to fertilize succulents

The amount of fertilizer applied should be minimal, because the main purpose of top dressing is not to accelerate growth or flowering, but simply to make up for the partial loss of minerals that are washed out of the soil with water.

How to transplant succulents

Planting succulents should be in the spring months. Young succulents need to be transplanted annually, and starting from the age of three, every 4-5 years.

It is necessary to exclude watering succulents 7 days before the planned transplant. Blooming succulents are not transplanted, otherwise they will shed their buds.

Before starting work, the succulent is removed from the previous pot and left in the open air for two days so that the root is completely dry. If traces of rot are visible, the plant is pre-treated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. The process itself takes place the usual pattern landing.

Reproduction of succulents at home

Succulents are propagated by cuttings, leaves and seeds. Choice suitable way mainly determined by the type of succulent and its age.

Growing succulents from seeds

It is easy to get a new plant from seeds, but it is quite a long and laborious process. For planting, you can use the seeds of a particular variety of succulents or buy mixes of different types.

A typical seed planting scheme looks like this:

Seeds are immersed for 24 hours in a Benlat suspension or in a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
The soil is a mixture of steamed clay soil and coarse sand.
The soil is laid out in a flat container and sprinkled with a thin ball on top. fine sand then sow the seeds.
The seedling container is placed in a warm and sunny place, and covered with any transparent cover on top.
The length of daylight hours for indoor succulents should be 12-14 hours, daytime temperature is needed from 25 to 35⁰С, nighttime temperature should not exceed 20⁰С.
Signs of growth appear on the 3-7th day, depending on the type of succulent.
Picking is carried out after 30-40 days, when the sand ball is covered with algae and air access to the roots worsens.

Reproduction of succulents leaves

Home succulents are easily propagated by fallen leaves. And in some species, you can cut off the side shoots and then root them in the prepared soil. But leaves or cuttings do not need to be put in water - they will immediately rot and disappear.

The cuttings need to be dried for two days, and then planted according to all the rules for planting succulents. Three weeks later, the plant will take full roots. To speed up the process, you can use any stimulants for the formation of the root system.

Advice! How to grow succulents and how to propagate them at home is determined by the specific species and its origin. Each species has its own requirements and needs an individual approach.

Leaves of succulents can be broken off or freshly fallen ones can be used. They need to be laid on the ground near the plant. Then you need to pour fresh soil around it and in two weeks the leaf will take root on its own.

A number of succulents, such as Kalanchoe or havrotia, reproduce even with leaf fragments. Part of the leaf is dried, to a depth of 1 cm they are stuck into the ground in a vertical direction.

Diseases and pests of succulents

Succulents at home are prone to diseases, and when improper care often attacked by pests. Therefore, all the time you need to monitor the first signs of a problem, and immediately treat the plant, otherwise it will die.

Succulents are more likely to suffer from putrefactive bacteria. As a result of strong watering, the root begins to rot, and then the entire aerial part dies. The development of rot is also promoted by cold or, conversely, excessive heat above 35 ° C. You can lose a diseased plant in a couple of days.

If you notice signs of mold on the leaves, you should immediately cut off the affected areas. If the stem is sick, it is cut to a healthy part. Unfortunately, the disease is noticed quite late, when it is no longer possible to save the succulent. Therefore, for the preservation of succulents, care should include the prevention of rot - competent watering, sufficient drainage, a bright place.

Of the pests that affect succulents, there are thrips, mites and a mealybug. With the help of insecticides, you can get rid of the mealybug and thrips. To do this, treat the plant and soak the soil with an insecticide. To remove ticks, a systemic acaricide is needed.

Succulents, varieties

Succulents are represented by a huge variety of species and varieties that are difficult to distinguish and even more so to remember their complex names. Therefore, we consider the most common varieties.

Home succulents - names:

Agave is a spherical leaf succulent. The plant is formed from densely arranged leaves with a white border. Differs in the increased decorative effect.

Lithops are frequent guests of rockeries. They are also called "living stones" because outwardly they resemble small boulders. They bloom with bright yellow inflorescences resembling chamomile.

Aeonium arborescens is a large shrub in the form of a flower, the rosette of which is formed by leaves of a light green or red-violet color.

Echeveria agave - tender plant with small succulent leaves collected in the form of a green rose with a wax coating. This is a flowering succulent that shoots a tall arrow with fiery red buds in summer.

Crassula is a succulent known as Money Tree". A plant originally from Africa, very unpretentious, rarely blooms and is more appreciated for its rounded glossy leaves. At correct formation grows up to 1.5 m in the form of a mini-tree.

Stapelia is the most beautiful succulent. The species has more than a hundred varieties, each of which has an unusually beautiful flowering. Often used to create decorative compositions both at home and in the garden.

Succulents in the garden - features of care and cultivation

If you build a suitable place in your garden, you can get an exotic flower bed with succulents. To do this, you need to choose the sunniest site with an elevation without seasonal flooding.

Garden soil is not suitable for succulents, so you will have to pick up the top ball of soil (about 20 cm), pour a high layer of drainage and suitable soil for succulents.

Only cold-resistant varieties are planted in the prepared bed, for example, Maihuenia poeppigii or macrorhiza. And heat-loving succulents are best left in pots and taken home for the winter.

Basic care and reproduction of succulents in open field the same as at home.

Succulents - photo of decorative compositions for home and garden

Video "Succulents: let's see what they are"

Plants that are able to accumulate moisture in their stems and leaves belong to the "succulents" group. This group, in turn, is divided into two varieties: stem and leaf succulents. At home, they grow: cacti, Kalanchoe, agave, jade, stone rose (echeveria) and aloe. Such plants are adapted to exist in areas with an arid climate. They require a special soil composition, which you can prepare yourself if the store does not have ready-made substrates.

Succulents: features of morphology

To properly prepare the soil for, you need to know them characteristics and morphology. Succulents, even in their own way appearance, are markedly different from other houseplants.

Stem succulents have thick, ribbed stems. Their leaves are small or in the process of evolutionary changes have disappeared completely, or turned into thorns and spines. This subgroup includes most varieties of cacti and. Moisture is collected in the tissues of the bark and core of the stems.
Leaf succulents - thickened leaves serve as a place for the accumulation of moisture. Members of this subgroup include: different types aloe, fat woman, havoria, echeveria.

Succulents have an underdeveloped root system - this is the most vulnerable part of the plant. At home, succulents do not experience problems with getting moisture, as happens in arid areas of their natural habitat. Domestic succulents do not grow long basal offspring that produce water. The roots of domestic cacti and aloe are very small and fragile, they need special soil so that they feel comfortable when placed in pots and planters.

Soil for succulents: composition and proportions of components

Succulents grow slowly. Some give a growth of only 1 centimeter per year, or even less. their roots small size, and require a special soil composition corresponding to the soil in arid areas. The desert land where succulents grow is sand, stones, lack of nitrogen in the soil and minimal content of fertile land. The same conditions must be followed when forming the soil for indoor succulents. To these requirements, the most necessary nuances should be added:

succulents grow well in loose, quickly drying soil;
the soil should be well aerated and drained;
the surface of the earth in pots should remain dry.

Advice. Succulents are content with rare waterings, after which sprinkle the earth in pots with small pebbles, pebbles, granite chips, that is, any material that dries quickly, but does not delay the evaporation of moisture from the soil.

The composition of the soil for succulents must include:

Attention! Soil for succulents is not recommended to be made on the basis of peat and other similar components. Peat retains moisture for a long time, which slows down the development of the plant. Do not buy ready-made mixtures containing this component.

Additional information about the composition of the soil for succulents

Cacti and aloe, let's take them as an example, almost do not react to the acidity of the soil, but it is better to take ground lands with a neutral pH value.

Among the components that make up the soil for succulents, there should not be organic matter. Such substances contain a lot of nitrogen, and succulents do not accept its oversaturation. An excess of nitrogen-containing components leads to extremely rapid growth and moisture accumulation for these plants. They become soft and loose, their stems crack and burst, the leaves lose their decorative appearance.

Leaf humus used to prepare the substrate must be free of debris: small twigs, knots. To do this, it is necessary to sift it through a sieve with large holes or a grate with small cells.

All components must be disinfected to avoid the introduction of pathogenic microbes:

fry sand and earth for succulents in the oven in a pan or baking sheet for 1-2 hours;
rinse the drainage material from dirt and place in a solution of potassium permanganate for several hours, then dry in the oven.

Properly prepared soil for succulents will create all the necessary prerequisites for the normal survival of the plant, its growth and development. Measures taken for prevention will protect succulents from disease.

Many succulents are grown not only in decorative purposes but also how medicinal plants. Their medicinal properties have long been known to the people: aloe is used to heal wounds, from inflammation, cacti are protection from electromagnetic rays emanating from TV or computer monitors.

Special soil for succulents: video

Succulents: features of morphology

To properly prepare the soil for succulents, you need to know their characteristics and morphology. Succulents, even in their appearance, are noticeably different from other houseplants.

Stem succulents have thick, ribbed stems. Their leaves are small or, in the process of evolutionary changes, disappeared completely, or turned into thorns and spines. This subgroup includes most varieties of cacti and milkweed. Moisture is collected in the tissues of the bark and core of the stems.
Leaf succulents - thickened leaves serve as a place for the accumulation of moisture. Representatives of this subgroup include: different types of aloe, fat woman, havoria, echeveria.

Soil for succulents: composition and proportions of components

Succulents grow slowly. Some give a growth of only 1 centimeter per year, or even less. Their roots are small in size, and require a special soil composition, corresponding to the soil in arid areas. The desert land where succulents grow is sand, stones, lack of nitrogen in the soil and minimal content of fertile land. The same conditions must be followed when forming the soil for indoor succulents. To these requirements, the most necessary nuances should be added:

succulents grow well in loose, quickly drying soil;
the soil should be well aerated and drained;
the surface of the earth in pots should remain dry.

Advice. Succulents are content with rare waterings, after which sprinkle the earth in pots with small pebbles, pebbles, granite chips, that is, any material that dries quickly, but does not delay the evaporation of moisture from the soil.

The composition of the soil for succulents must include:

Additional information about the composition of the soil for succulents

Cacti and aloe, let's take them as an example, almost do not react to the acidity of the soil, but it is better to take ground lands with a neutral pH value.

Leaf humus used to prepare the substrate must be free of debris: small twigs, knots. To do this, it is necessary to sift it through a sieve with large holes or a grate with small cells.

All components must be disinfected to avoid the introduction of pathogenic microbes:

fry sand and earth for succulents in the oven in a pan or baking sheet for 1-2 hours;
rinse the drainage material from dirt and place in a solution of potassium permanganate for several hours, then dry in the oven.

Many succulents are grown not only for decorative purposes, but also as medicinal plants. Their medicinal properties have long been known to the people: aloe is used to heal wounds, from inflammation, cacti are protection from electromagnetic rays emanating from TV or computer monitors.

Special soil for succulents: video

For many years, the word "succulent" for most florists remained mysterious, although such names as aloe, cactus, agave were not surprising. Succulents (from Latin succulentus - “juicy”) are a special group of xerophytic plants, most of which grow in arid areas, where the ability to accumulate water is a vital necessity.

Choosing a container for succulents

Large pots are not suitable, because. the soil in them will dry out too long between waterings, which is harmful for flowers, especially in winter. But even in small pots, it is important not to overfill the flower.

What is the best capacity?

It is not important for fast-growing species, but for slow-growing and large succulents, a clay container is desirable.
Representatives characterized by strong growth, which may be undesirable for room culture, can also be planted in clay pots - this will create a certain moisture deficit due to the porous walls of the pot and somewhat stop the development of the plant.

Soil selection for succulents

The substrate for succulents should be as close as possible to the soil in which they grow in nature. Ordinary land from the garden will not work, because. it is very dense and holds moisture for a long time, because of this, the succulent will simply rot over time.
The soil mixture for succulents may consist of the following components: sphagnum moss, bark, humus, charcoal, thorn earth, leaf humus, sand.
For succulent plants, a mineral substrate poor in organic matter is preferable. Ordinary leafy soil from under birches and lindens is best suited.

Interestingly, replacing sand with crushed sphagnum moss often gives good results - plants develop much more intensively.

Succulents need loose, well-aerated soil, without much nutrients but minerals must be present. Acidity most often does not affect plants.
It is better to take humus without excess garbage and it is advisable to sift before use.

Features of working with ready-made purchased substrate

When buying ready-made soil, you should pay attention to its composition. The basis of such mixtures most often includes peat (lowland or highland) and sand.
The most famous mixtures: "Seliger-Agro" or "Biagro". This substrate includes a mixture of high and low peat. The substrate "Bereginya" also includes compost.
Biohumus is included in the ready mix "Vermion"
To improve aeration, sand or crushed bricks are added to purchased mixtures.

Important! In case water does not linger in the substrate, one part of nutrient peat, garden soil, or recycled leaf compost can be added.

Self-preparation of the soil

It is very easy to make a universal soil for succulents on your own. The substrate should consist of three layers: leafy ground, soddy ground and sand.

Let's consider in more detail:

The bottom layer is drainage. Stone or brick chips or small river (sea) pebbles. Density - 1 cm.
Middle section - mix: 1 part of plain earth, 2 parts of sand and 1 part of humus. Optionally, sprinkle a few small pebbles. We pour this layer, stepping back from the edge of the container by 1-2 cm.
The top layer is surface drainage. It is better to use ingredients that can be removed before watering, and then returned back. Usually used: brick chips, expanded clay or perlite. Density 1-1.5 cm.

substrate for succulents

plays an important role in soil selection. root system flower. For succulents with a thin surface root system, small pebbles or red brick chips are used in the substrate. The crumb absorbs excess moisture very well.
In this case, the substrate will consist of the following layers:

1 part of leaf land;
1 part of sod land;
1 part sand;
1/2 piece of pebble ( brick chips), perlite or perlite.

Some types of succulents are distinguished by a powerful root system that accumulates moisture. For these flowers, a little sod land is added to the soil. In this case, the substrate will consist of the following layers:

1 part of leaf land;
1.5 part of sod land;
1 part sand.

Crushed stone is poured into the substrate for flowers that grow in rocky areas.
Not superfluous for the soil will be crushed charcoal about 1/10 of the total soil volume.

In general, succulents whimsical plants, which can retain moisture for a long time and are not demanding in care.

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