Rachel

I can't tell you abot watering since I never used BJ mix...but, succulents should be watered when the potting mix is just about completely dry. Not just top 1" or 2" as often suggested, but thru the pot. That would depend on the mix itself, temperatures and - to some extent - on the plant itself. Type of pot used could influence drying out time too. I water string of hearts bit more often than most of other succulents. So there isn't really a set schedule. Cooler it is, longer it takes for mix to dry up. So in your temps (I am not suggesting they are low!) and using a mix that contains organic matter, it could be longer than in my case: almost completely inorganic mix and outside temps in high 70*F to high 80*F during summer (sometimes could be hotter).

High humidity is not needed for succulents, it actually could create problems. Many of us keep plants outdoors during appropriate season and can't reduce humidity, but trying to increase it on purpose is not needed for succulents.

Thanks for your response! I don't have many succulents, the majority of my collection are tropicals, and so that is the reason that I use humidifiers inside my home. The few succulents I do have are a couple aloe, SOH, SOP, hawthoria, and crassula.

I was sort of just trying to get a general response from folks on how often they find themselves watering; I'm aware it won't necessarily be anything close to what will work for my plants. But, like I said, just a general idea, since I'm used to going long stints without watering these plants, but since putting them in the gritty mix it seems as if the water runs straight through. Thanks again for your response, though.

Rachel

Fast draining mix is what succulents like, they do not like to sit in wet soil. So if it runs thru that is good. There is enough moisture that is retained by succulents.

Humidity you have is not that high, I just wanted to say that increasing humidity on purpose is not necessary for succulents. I can see that you want it for tropicals.

In general, I would say that in summer, when it is warm (and you can control temps indoors, not like outside), perhaps 1x/week or so would work. Best if you figure out how wet is the mix: using bamboo/wooden skewer or chopstick works well (pencil or small diameter wooden dowel with sharpened end work well too). Stick it deep inside pot and leave for few min. When pulled out and it is dry and clean - time to water. At the same time, lift the pot before and after watering to feel its heft. After a while, you'll be able to tell if yur mix dried out - pot will feel lighter.

I use a home made version of the gritty mix. In the winter, when my plants are inside, I water them about once a month. With most succulents, when it comes to water, less often is better. in the summer when temps reach the 90s and the plants are in direct sun, I water once a week unless it rained that week.

Watc out for the griity mix. You need to know how to water in it according to your conditons. If you are supllying more heat or light, you will have to water often. If less, less watering. BUt with strong heat and light, it is easy to give them water stress by under watering them. That is why using the gritty mix is less of a factor when watering often.