The answer is in *the drainage*.
Here in central Texas we've had the wettest summer on record. We had rain or overcast skies from early March through July. At one point we had 45 straight days of heavy rain. Of roughly 200 succulents, I lost 2 (rootless) starts and 1 faucaria to rot. I attribute this success to the sharpness of my soil mix. I, myself, mix 50/50 organic potting soil (NO PEAT) and haydite (LOVE that stuff).
Jo

thanks. is haydlite like perlite?

i was thinking of re-potting with new mix.

is there a best time to do this or should i just get to it?

again, thanks

john

I could not find a source for haydlite or Turface either one, but found Aquatic Plant Soil at HD. I read that it is the same or very similar.

Aquatic plant soil, decomposed granite, turface or Oil Dri (from Wally World).
If you do a google for Haydite you will find the manf and they say they will help you find the nearest supplier. I get mine from a local organic nursery. $5.95 for 40lbs. HTH - Jo

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:469944}}

Perlite works very nicely to improve drainage and is much easier to find in NY than some of the other materials suggested.

Repotting can be safely done almost anytime of the year, but the best time to do it generally is either in the middle of the winter when plants are dormant and are not hurt by root disturbance, or, in early summer when they are about to get into very active growth and can recover quickly. It is species dependent though so make sure you know your plant.

Whatever you do, it is best to keep the soil pretty dry and keep the plants protected from sun for up to a week before you slowly acclimate them again to sun and more watering.

Succulents are very resilient so a little caution is all you need for a successful result.

here is some info on re-potting succulents. HTH - Jo

Here is a link that might be useful: re-pot

thanks......no leaf drop at present. acctually the thing seems to be doing quite well. but the link is helpfull as my jade is aprox. the same size. i'll watch out for symptoms and continue in kind .

again, very appreciative

best
john

I big tropical plant collection and the one collection I do not put out is the cacti--just for the reason you stated (excessive summer rains). I do put out some succulents (crassula, euphobia, etc. and also the larger cereus, tropical epiphyllum too). You've gotten useful suggestions about the necessity of good drainage and soil composition. The only thing I would add is always use clay pots (dry out faster) and do NOT overplant the cacti. In other words, keep them in smallish pots. The more soil you have in the container, the longer it takes to dry out. Summer this year hasn't been too wet (I am in NJ), but we have had TS's and those can easy knock over smaller pots outside so the rest of the cacti/succulent collection is in south window (currently not getting sun but will in December). Good luck!

I have switched everything to semi-hydroponics and have had amazing success with my caudiciforms and succulents.
There are 2 holes about an inch from the bottom and the pots are filled with clay pellets. Nothing is ever sitting in water and if it rains, it all drains right out. My rot problems have almost disappeared since you can't overwater.

{{gwi:369767}}

How do you treat rot once it's started? Several months ago, I found a large Jade trunk/branches discarded in an alley near my home in San Diego, CA. The trunk and branch pieces ranged in size from 4" to 16" in diameter. I cut them into 12" to 16" lengths, allowed them to callous over then planted some of them in perlite and some in perlite/cactus soil I mixed together. While they have all rooted and are producing new growth, some have developed brown mushy areas on the upper cut areas. I have cut this away to clean healthy tissue and sprayed with a 10% bleach solution. Most have healed with no further problems, but some keep rotting again. Is there a systemic or topical treatment I can use to get rid of rot altogether. I'd be disappointed to lose these large Jade plants at this point.
Thanks,
Mark
San Diego, CA