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kaly1224

Need help, Succulents growing!

9 years ago

I am a notorious plant killer, however, I came into a couple of succulents and they've been really thriving! I have no idea what they are or if I've been taking care of them properly. Some of them are growing new plants inside the same pot and one is growing really tall (I'm happy about that!) but don't know what I need to do to keep them growing and healthy. Any advice would be MUCH APPRECIATED!!

Comments (7)

  • 9 years ago

    Sorry to burst your bubble, but they actually aren't growing. They're stretching(etiolating) which means they aren't getting enough light. Your soil looks peaty, what are you using? The second plant has far too big of a pot, and the first plant won't do good in that terrarium.. Does the last one have a drainage hole in the pot?

  • 9 years ago

    I put the second one in a bigger pot so it could grow larger, there is a second cactus that has since grown in the pot next to It so I'm hoping it will grow more? I'm using a soil I bought at Lowes that said it was good for succulents, does that work usually? I know some of them are stretching but they have gotten larger and all of them have started growing additional plants since I've reported them from the small little ones I received them in. The last one has grown so many other leaves (are they leaves?) it used to look pretty pathetic. What can I do to keep them growing? They get direct sunlight for a good portion 2x a day

  • 9 years ago

    You didn't answer succs question about drainage hole?

    2nd plant is Aloe juvenna and it naturally grows taller than many other succulents. But potted in huge pot that hold lots of water retaining soil isn't going to help. I have same plant with at least 15 (?) offshoots in smaller pot. That one may grow well enough in light it is getting. Plants in poor condition (not saying yours is now) will not grow larger just because they are in huge pot.

    I see something you didn't ask about: I believe it is Echeveria, and it is under glass 'dome'! May I ask why?

    Glass containers may look nice, but are not good for succulents. Your plants may be still OK, but after a while, they will start declining. Use glass bowls for plants that like those humid and wet conditions - but not succulents. Or for a goldfish :)

    Getting larger (while you know they are etiolating) is not desirable: large, weak plant isn't better and nicer than more compact and sturdy plant. Many Kalanchoes grow naturally large - just as A. juvenna. But they need to be strong too.

    Sadly, bagged soil sold as Cacti & Succulents soil usually (most of the times) doesn't drain as well as advertised. PPL that use it add minimum half (if not more) of total volume in sifted perlite or pumice. That will improve drainage.

  • 9 years ago

    The first one needs to be repotted into a pot with a drainage hole. The soil in a terrarium is going to be far too wet for your plant.

    Assume the second one is a terracotta pot with a hole. The first plant would go well in that pot. The second one should be repotted in a smaller terracotta pot or plastic is ok as long as it has a hole.

    The third pot--- If it's in a pot with no hole, it needs to be repotted. The soil looks damp, a condition succulents don't tolerate for long. Also in that photo, looks like an "echeveria under glass." Have no idea what that setup is, but such a succulent will not survive long in those humid conditions. Succulents like arid conditions and good air circulation.

    As for soil, take the C/S soil you got at Lowes, get a bag of perlite or pumice (best) and combine it 50/50 with the C/S soil. This way you have the fast draining soil your plants need. Remember these plants have thick leaves because they store water and don't do well if they are overwatered.

    I know this isn't the news you wanted at all, and good for you doing the research here to find out the best conditions for your plants. Good luck.

  • 9 years ago

    Don't feel bad. Several years ago I posted pictures of my new succulent collection and everyone suggested I use smaller pots as well. I would check the forum and read about soil. What city do you live in? If it's up north. Your plants have a much better chance of dying over the winter if watered in such big pots with the soil they are in (if they don't rot before that) good luck! Stay away from pots with no holes. It's the number one killer of succulents. Hehe

  • 9 years ago

    Terracotta pots have been wonderful for my succulents, really all my plants. They really do help with drainage. And they're easy to decorate. My plants soil use to retain so much water. I wouldn't water it for two weeks and the bottom would still be wet! I tried many soils too. I ended up going with the Miracle Gro Cactus Potting Soil just for a base. I know many people don't like it, but with suggestions from this site I added pea pebbles, perlite and a dry orchid mix for small wood chips. And if my pot is too long, I add rocks at the bottom so the soil doesn't stay wet there. Now they drain great. I had my plants in different containers too. I have kept three of them in two pots from Target that don't have drainage and the rest are in terracotta pots. But when I water I don't water them enough to reach the bottom, because if I do I will get aphids. And I know the roots aren't that long anyways. They are doing fine, one is stretching though. They are growing pups too. But I will likely re-pot them, it will help them stay healthy and grow. If you have another window with more light maybe you could move them there? If they start to burn you can buy something to help shade it so it doesn't have such harsh sun light. Some are more sensitive than others. Sorry for writing so much I hope this helps. I don't want to sound like I'm just talking about myself but instead tell you what happened to me so you don't have to go through all that chaos in case you experience it too. I wasted a lot of money lol

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