Summer is rapidly approaching, and temperatures are about to rise exponentially. You look at your succulents and feel proud of the great job that you have done. But one big misconception can easily ruin your hard work and dedication that you need to be aware of. Many people believe that since succulents are native to hot climates, they don’t need special care during summer. While this is generally true, you still need to provide them with proper care to avoid irreversible damage.
So, how do you take care of succulents during summer? To keep your succulents healthy and thriving, you should know five main areas of succulent summer care: water, sunlight, temperature, nutrients, and pests. You must ensure your plants receive enough water to sustain them through the intense heat waves. Be sure to provide shade to prevent the scorching summer from causing sunburn, and regularly check the soil temperature to ensure it is not too hot. Additionally, provide your succulents with a balanced supply of nutrients using specially formulated fertilizers, and watch out for any pests lurking around.
This blog post provides you with a list of detailed tips on succulent summer care. Read on to find out everything you need to know.
What Does Summer Mean for Succulents?
Before we dive deep into the topic, it is essential to understand what summer means for succulents. Succulents thrive in hot climates, and summer is the perfect time to flourish. The intense heat allows them to stretch out their leaves fully and absorb more light.
However, this also means you must be extra vigilant when caring for your succulents during this season. As temperatures rise, so does the risk of dehydration and sunburn.
Remember that succulents generally have thick and fleshy stems, making them more vulnerable to heat damage. Therefore, you must be prepared to provide optimal care to keep them healthy and strong.
Succulent Summer Care
Caring for summer succulents can be tricky, but you don’t have to freak out. Here are some valuable tips to get you started:
1. Water Properly
A common misconception is that succulents don’t need much water to thrive. But the truth is that these plants need to be watered deeply and thoroughly to survive.
Succulents planted outdoors or in a greenhouse need to be watered at least once every week during summer. You can allow the soil to approach dryness before watering.
Indoor succulents can also be watered at the same rate, but ensure you check the potting mix for dryness before watering.
Succulents planted in black plastic pots must be checked frequently since the black color increases the temperature and evaporation rate.
It is essential to ensure that your succulent receives enough water during summer. Don’t allow the soil to dry out completely for extended periods because it may damage the plant’s fine root filaments leading to stunted growth.
You can test the moisture content in the potting mix by simply touching it with your finger. If the soil feels dry and crumbly, it is time to water your succulent.
The watering technique you use also matters. Ensuring the soil is fully saturated to the deepest roots when watering well-established succulents is crucial.
Consider watering your succulent until you start to see water sipping out of the bottom of the pot. Deep watering is good because it promotes healthy root growth and healthier succulents.
The best time of the day to water your succulents during summer is early morning before temperatures soar. Avoid watering your plant in the afternoon when the temperatures peak.
If you cannot water your plant early in the morning, consider watering it in the evening when the temperatures are relatively low.
However, watering in the evening is not good practice during winter. Leaving succulents waterlogged all night makes them susceptible to root rot and other fungal diseases.
2. Provide Enough Sunlight
Ignoring your succulents’ need for sunlight during summer is easy. However, providing them with adequate sunlight is essential for healthy growth and their overall health.
During summer, try to place your succulent in a spot that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
Avoid areas with excessive shade because insufficient light can cause your plant to become leggy and weak.
If you are growing your succulents indoors, place them close to an east or south-facing window where they can receive ample light.
You should also consider using fluorescent grow lights if natural sunlight is insufficient in your home.
However, you must be careful not to expose your succulents to too much sunlight during summer. Doing so may cause sunburn, which can be fatal for your plant.
3. Pay Close Attention to the Potting Mix
You may be forgiven for thinking that any potting mix will work for your succulents. But that’s far from the case.
The wrong soil and planting environment can be detrimental to the health of your succulent, especially during summer.
The best potting mix must be well-draining, light, and full of organic matter. This allows for a good balance between moisture retention and adequate drainage.
If you are about to report your succulent, use the best soil mix. You can also use a mixture of potting soil and perlite or sand to improve drainage and aeration.
4. Provide Shade
The intense heat during summer can be very damaging to succulents if they are not provided with enough shade.
Prolonged exposure to the direct sun can cause sunburn and dehydration resulting in yellowed or brown leaves.
The appearance of black or beige patches on your succulents could be a sign of sunburn.
These patches indicate that some cells in your succulent leaves have already been damaged, and you need to act fast to save the rest of the plant.
You may be lucky if the spots appear on outer leaves since new growth from the center of the succulent may conceal the sunburned areas with time.
It may be the same case if the damage is on lower leaves because those naturally fall off after some time.
To prevent sunburn, look for a shaded spot to place your succulent. If you are growing your succulent outdoors, you can create shade by planting it under trees or building a canopy.
If you have an indoor succulent garden, try to keep it away from windows and other sources of direct sunlight. You can also use sheer curtains to filter the light and protect your plant from sunburn.
Another way to protect succulents during summer is by using a plastic or paper shade cloth over them. Shade cloths are available in different colors, sizes, and densities, so choose one that suits your needs.
5. Provide Adequate Ventilation
Succulents need proper air circulation to prevent them from succumbing to fungal diseases and pest infestations.
Good air circulation is also crucial during summer since it helps prevent the leaves of your plants from drying out too quickly.
Keep your succulents in an open space away from crowded areas with little or no ventilation. If you keep them indoors, place a fan facing the plants to increase air circulation.
6. Mulch
Mulching your succulents during summer can play a crucial role in keeping the evaporation rate of your soil to a minimum.
Remember that soil tends to dry out much quicker when exposed to direct sun. This makes mulch an essential tool for regulating soil temperature and moisture levels.
When choosing the best type of mulch for your succulent, pick one that is well-draining. Organic mulch such as pine needles, wood chips, bark pieces, or cocoa shells are great options.
You can also use rocks and gravel as mulch to add texture and interest to your succulent garden.
7. Fertilize Carefully
Succulents need very little fertilizer during summer. Too much fertilizer can cause them to become leggy, so use only a quarter of the recommended amount of fertilizer in your plants.
You can also opt for organic fertilizers such as compost or fish emulsion instead of chemical-based alternatives.
This will minimize the risk of burning succulents with too much fertilizer and keep them healthy during summer.
8. Monitor Your Plants’ Health
Finally, inspect your succulent occasionally during summer for any signs of damage.
Pay special attention to the leaves and stems of your plant since these are usually the first parts to be affected by intense heat and inadequate watering.
Also, keep a close eye on the soil. If it is drying out too quickly, you may need to adjust your watering routine or add more mulch to slow down the rate of evaporation.
Final Thoughts
Summer is an essential season for succulents since they are prone to many issues.
Understanding how to care for succulents and providing the right environment is essential if you want them to thrive during summer.
Following the tips outlined will ensure you provide your succulents with the best-growing conditions and allow them to thrive during the warmer months.
With a few adjustments, you can easily ensure that your succulents stay healthy and happy all year round!
Last update on 2023-06-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
