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monica_majewski

Overwatering vs. Too Much Direct Sun??

8 years ago

I kept all of my potted succulents indoors over the winter and recently transitioned them back to being outside. Last summer I had them sitting on my patio table in full sun and they did well. Watered them the other day because the soil seemed very dry...looked at them yesterday and these three look especially bad.


I was reading that some varieties do not do well in hot, direct sun...we had a stretch of several days in the 90's (Fahrenheit). Although I know many succulents varieties are native to places with hot climates, I'm wondering if this is what's causing the demise/discoloration of these or if I overwatered? Any hope for recovery?


Kalanchoe


Haworthia


Gasteria Batesiana


Comments (8)

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    They all look sunburned to me. Did you acclimatize them to direct - outdoors sun? They seem to be potted in a 'soil' that may not drain well enough. What did you use? It is helpful to indicate your general location and/or growing zone when asking 'care' questions. Best to put that info next to your name - as most members do.

    M M thanked rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
  • 8 years ago

    Your Gasteria looks the best of the three to me. But as Rob said above, Haworthias and Gasterias are NOT sun-loving plants. I see you have a pup on the Gasteria, so that's good. I might change the soil out and add something grittier -- pumice, perlite, even chicken grit, something to air it out a little, make drainage easier. I have only about 8 or 9 Gasterias. They all get a little direct morning sun only. Other than that, they get "bright light" (I'm in FL so almost all of our light is "bright") but under the ceiling of a screened lanai. They do much better that way, and no sunburn. LOTS more pups.

    M M thanked robinswfl
  • 8 years ago

    I live in zone 6a. They’re all planted in a fast drain soil specific for succulents, but adding some additional material to the soil might be helpful. I did acclimate them somewhat, but I think the area they were in had more sun exposure l than I realized.

    That’s interesting about the Haworthias and Gasterias. I got these from a succulent farm plant sale last year and the Haworthia was the only one with a “care tag.” It has “full sun” listed, but obviously it’s been getting a bit too much exposure. I’ll have to find a better place for these guys.

    I moved them back to their indoor location for the time being. I hope they bounce back!

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    M M

    The soil I see doesn't look well draining. But I am looking at photos only. Unfortunately, bagged soil sold as specially blended for cacti and succulents is often not as well draining as it should be. Few specks of perlite will not do anything.

    I do not use soil, but many ppl do and they mix in at least 50% of coarse perlite, and often even more. Here is photo of the mix I use:

    You don't need to use same mix, but make sure one you use - for all succulents - drains fast and well.
    I have only few haworthias and gasterias. They are all - as are all of my succulents - potted in very gritty mix (in my case without any soil). Haworthias get dark colors if in full sun for many hours, and I keep them in spot that gets sun until about noon. Haws with more 'juicy' leaves like yours burn even easier. But any succulents need to be acclimatized to outdoors sun, that is much stronger than sunlight thru the typical window.

    Few of the haws and gasterias I have:



    I don't have any really fancy haworthias - few ppl here grow them and posted many photos.HERE IS current thread (#8) - if you look thru it, you'll see the mix used. And great looking haws :)

    You should keep them on the balcony - outside is better than indoors. Perhaps create some shading by putting taller plants in front - it will create dappled or partial shade that would be probably much better for haws.

  • 8 years ago

    This kalanchoe is the best at dropping leaves, haha. Mine got too little sun in the winter and decided to start dying, it almost had no leaves. My decision was to re-pot it alone in the well draining mix and leave it be for a while. It was winter so I didn't water much either. And it bounced back after looking like a bunch of green twigs for a few months. The leaves are still tiny, but the plant HAS them and is looking way better now. So I think you should try to keep it in the bright but not direct sun light and it will renew itself.

    In my experience, these plants hate too much light as much as they hate too little light, they like to be in the bright place, but not direct sunlight.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    I grow my gasterias in my bathroom which has bright light and they get about an hour of very early morning sun in summer only. They have never been happier.

    Your haworthia is a cooperi and they can take a fair amount of sun but they need to be acclimated slowly. Morning sun only is better

  • 8 years ago

    Your Gasteria is mislabeled. It's probably "little warty" or one of the "ice" hybrids.