Caring for succulents: water sparingly, get enough sunlight and treat root rot

Stone lotus needs a clear drying cycle, enough light and a well-ventilated pot. This article provides instructions on how to water safely, handle tall plants that lack light, and save the top when the plant begins to rot.

Summary: Caring for succulents is about learning not to interfere too much. The plant needs to dry out between waterings, with enough sun to maintain the canopy and enough wind to dry the pot quickly. When a plant has soft leaves, black roots or grows abnormally high, the cause must be properly treated: if there is a lack of light, increase the light slowly, if the roots are rotten, cut off the healthy part and re-plant.

Applies to: Succulents on balconies, window sills, indoor shelves with lights or places often exposed to rain.

Duration: Check 5-10 minutes per week, treat root rot 30-45 minutes.

Difficulty level: Medium. It is necessary to observe the root and center of the tree.

Estimated additional costs: Low; may need to add a mineral substrate or a pot with better drainage.

Seasonal succulent care schedule

Stone lotus does not have a fixed watering schedule for every home. Watering cycle depends on sun, wind, pot and substrate.

Reference frame:

Recording the watering date and the time it takes the pot to dry will help find a unique cycle for each location.

Watering safely

Before watering, check:

• Is the pot lighter yet?
• Is the substrate dry yet?
• Are the leaves unusually soft?
• Is the root black or mushy?

How to water:

1. Irrigate the substrate, avoiding water stagnation in the center.
2. Water in the morning to dry the plant before evening.
3. Irrigate enough so that the water drains to the bottom.
4. Do not water again while the substrate is still moist.

Do not spray water every day. Succulents do not need high air humidity like soft-leaved plants. Spraying frequently in a room lacking ventilation can easily cause fungus and heart rot.

Pick up dry leaves from under the tree

It is normal for old leaves to dry at the base. But if dry leaves accumulate too much, they retain moisture and create shelter for aphids and fungi.

How to do:

• Only pick up leaves that are completely dry or loose.
• Do not pull too hard on the leaves, they are still firmly attached to the stem.
• Use tweezers if the leaf gap is narrow.
• After picking, check the root for black spots, white aphids or mold.

This should be done periodically, especially before the rainy season or when the tree is placed in a place lacking wind.

Handling plants with low light

Signs of lack of light:

• The tree grows tall quickly.
• The distance between leaves becomes longer.
• Sparse leaves, pale color.
• The canopy is no longer compact.
• The tree leans towards the window.

How to handle:

• Increases brightness slowly over 5-7 days.
• Prioritize morning sunlight, avoid sudden afternoon sunlight.
• Rotate the pot to spread more evenly.
• If the house is too dark, use a grow light.

A tree that has grown tall will have difficulty returning to its old shape. You can cut off strong tops to replant when the plant has stabilized.

Identify root rot

Root rot often appears after too much watering, long periods of rain or water-retaining media. Sign:

• The roots turn dark brown.
• Lower leaves are soft, transparent or fall off when lightly touched.
• The tree smells damp.
• The leaves are wrinkled but the substrate is still wet.
• The rot gradually spreads up the body.

When you see root rot, don't wait for the tree to heal on its own. It is necessary to separate the healthy part as soon as possible.

Rescue trees with root rot

Steps:

1. Take the plant out of the pot.
2. Cut off all rotten roots.
3. Keep the green, firm tops.
4. Let the cut dry and tighten.
5. Place on a dry, airy substrate.
6. Do not water in the first few days.
7. Place in a place with diffused light and ventilation.

If the rot has spread to the heart, the possibility of salvation is low. With plants that still have strong tops, cutting them is often more effective than trying to keep the old roots.

Fertilizing succulents

Stone lotus does not need much fertilizer. Heavy fertilization in low light conditions causes the plant to become soft, lose its shape and be easily damaged.

Only fertilize when:

• The tree is healthy.
• There is enough light.
• Good drainage medium.
• The plant has not been recently repotted or treated for rot.

Use thin fertilizer or low dose slow-release fertilizer. It's better to fertilize less than fertilize heavily.

Checklist for caring for stone lotus

• [ ] Check that the substrate is completely dry before watering.
• [ ] Irrigate in the morning, avoiding water stagnation in the center.
• [ ] Provide a pot with good drainage after irrigation or rain.
• [ ] Pick up dry leaves from under the tree periodically.
• [ ] Increase light slowly if the tree grows taller.
• [ ] Cut and re-plant the top if the plant rots at the base.
• [ ] Record watering date, weather and plant location.

Mistakes to avoid

Spray water every day because you think the plant needs moisture: succulents are more likely to rot than if they lack moisture.

Placing pots too close together: lack of wind, pots take too long to dry, aphids and fungi easily arise.

Dense fertilization when there is low light: plants grow soft, have bad color and are easily damaged.

Water after cutting the rotten part: the cut is not yet dry, the rot can easily spread.

Put the low-light plant into the midday sun immediately: the leaves burn but the plant has not recovered its shape yet.

Related articles

• Handbook for growing succulents on balconies and windowsills
• Handbook for growing bougainvillea on townhouse balconies
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