Succulents have won the favor of many plant lovers for their unique shape, drought tolerance and relatively low maintenance difficulty. However, choosing the right soil is a crucial first step for these adorable “cute meats” to thrive. Succulents have special requirements for soil permeability, water drainage and fertility, and different types of succulents have slightly different soil preferences. Understanding and mastering the soil knowledge suitable for the growth of succulents can help us create a comfortable growing environment for them to show their best posture.
The Basic Requirements Of Succulents For Soil
1. Breathability
Root respiratory requirement
Succulents have relatively shallow and delicate roots that require good breathable soil in order to breathe freely. If the soil is poorly permeable, the roots are prone to hypoxia, leading to poor growth and even decay. This is because succulents are mostly native to deserts, semi-deserts or rock crevices, and their roots are adapted to loose, aerated substrates. For example, succulent soils with poor air permeability tend to have stunted root development, slow plant growth, and leaves may appear yellow and shrivelled.
Soil particles and pores
In order to ensure the permeability of the soil, some larger particles are usually added to the soil. The pores formed between these particles allow air to circulate freely. Common such as perlite, vermiculite, coarse sand, etc., their granular structure helps to increase the aeration of the soil. Perlite is light in texture and rich in pores, which can effectively improve the degree of soil porosity. Vermiculite has good water retention and permeability, which can allow air to enter while maintaining a certain humidity. Coarse sand particles are larger and enhance the drainage and breathability of the soil, allowing the roots of succulents to spread and breathe better.
2. Drainage
Avoid water hazard
Most succulents are not tolerant of water, because too much water will keep the roots in a humid environment for a long time, which is easy to cause diseases such as root rot. Good drainage can quickly remove excess water and prevent the roots from being soaked. For example, during the rainy season or when watered too much, if the soil is poorly drained, the roots of succulents can rot rapidly, resulting in the death of the whole plant.
Drainage material selection
In addition to the above mentioned perlite, coarse sand, etc., volcanic rocks, ceramics, etc., are also commonly used to enhance soil drainage materials. The porous structure of volcanic rocks not only has excellent drainage performance, but also contains many mineral elements, which can provide nutrients for succulent plants. The clay is hard in texture and has many fine pores inside, which can effectively improve the drainage capacity of the soil, and its weight is relatively heavy, which can play a role in stabilizing the soil structure. When configuring succulent soil, the appropriate addition of these drainage materials can ensure that the soil can quickly discharge excess water after watering and maintain appropriate humidity.
3. Fertility characteristics
Low fertility requirement
Succulents have relatively low fertility requirements due to their slow growth and poor soil in their native environment. Excessive fertilizer tends to cause succulents to grow, making the plant loose, losing the original compact appearance, and may also cause damage to the root system. For example, excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer causes the leaves of succulents to grow rapidly, but the leaves become thin, soft, and green in color, reducing their ornamental value.
Slow release fertilizer and organic fertilizer
Although succulents do not have high fertility requirements, proper fertilization still helps their growth. Slow-release fertilizer is an ideal choice, it can release nutrients slowly, meet the long-term nutritional needs of succulents, and is not easy to cause fertilizer damage. Organic fertilizers, such as decomposed cow manure and sheep manure, are rich in organic matter and a variety of trace elements, which can improve soil structure, increase soil fertility, and make the soil more conducive to the growth of succulents. However, when using organic fertilizer, it is necessary to ensure that it is fully decomposed, otherwise the undecomposed organic fertilizer will generate heat in the soil and burn the roots of the succulent plant.
Commonly Used Succulent Planting Soil Types
1. Succulent soil
Composition and characteristics
Succulent soil is specially formulated in the market to meet the growth needs of succulents. Its main components usually include peat soil, perlite, vermiculite, coconut bran and so on. Peat soil has certain water retention and fertility, which can provide basic nutrient and water support for succulent plants. Perlite and vermiculite enhance soil permeability and water drainage. Coconut husk can improve the structure of the soil and make it more loose. This mixed soil can better balance the water, nutrient, air permeability and water drainage requirements of succulents, convenient and fast, suitable for the growth of most succulents.
Scope of application and purchase recommendations
Succulent soils are suitable for a variety of common succulents, whether they are sedulaceae, liliaceae, or cacti. When buying succulent soil, choose a regular brand and channel, check the product ingredient list and user reviews. Some high-quality succulent soils will indicate the proportion of each ingredient, and consumers can choose according to their needs and growing environment. For example, if the climate in the region is relatively dry, you can choose a fleshy soil with slightly stronger water retention; If the ventilation conditions are poor, the product with better air permeability is given priority.
2.Peat soil mixed matrix
Peat soil is paired with other materials
Peat soil can be mixed with a variety of materials to grow succulents. In addition to the above mentioned perlite, vermiculite, etc., you can also add an appropriate amount of coarse sand, volcanic rocks, etc. For example, by mixing peat soil with perlite and coarse sand in a ratio of 3:1:1, such a matrix not only has a certain water retention, but can keep the soil moist for a long time after watering, meet the basic needs of succulents for water, but also ensure good air permeability and water drainage, so that the root system can grow healthily. Peat soils also provide an acidic environment for succulents, suitable for some succulent species that prefer acidic soils, such as some species in the genus Duodena.
Essentials of homemade soil mix
If you choose homemade peat soil mixture, pay attention to the selection of materials and proportion control. When choosing peat soil, it is necessary to choose products with good quality and rich fiber. When mixing, it is necessary to stir well to ensure that various materials are evenly distributed. In addition, homemade soil may have bacteria, eggs and other problems, it is best to disinfect before use. It can be disinfected by exposure to the sun, microwave heating or the use of fungicides to ensure soil health and safety and create a healthy start to growth for succulents.
3. Granular soil
Types and characteristics of granular soils
Granular soil is mainly composed of various granular materials, such as akama soil, Kaguma soil, diatomaceous earth and so on. Red jade soil is a commonly used granular soil, it has good permeability and water drainage, and also contains certain trace elements such as iron and aluminum, which can provide some nutrient support for succulent plants. The particles of deer marsh soil are relatively loose, excellent permeability, and have a certain water retention, and the color is light yellow or light brown, which can add beauty to the cultivation of succulent plants. Diatomite is rich in silicon and has a unique porous structure, which not only drains water and breathes, but also has certain anti-insect and bactericidal effects.
Application of granular soil in succulent cultivation
Granular soil can usually be used alone or mixed with other soils. For some succulent varieties with more developed roots and high breathability requirements, such as prickly pear, stone flower, etc., the proportion of granular soil can be appropriately increased, and even all granular soil can be used for planting. When mixing with other soils, granular soil can generally be mixed with peat soil or leaf rot soil in a ratio of 1:1 or 2:1. This can not only ensure the soil permeability and water drainage, but also provide certain nutrients and water retention. For example, when planting sedulaceae succulents, mixing terra-clay with peat soil at a ratio of 1:1 can result in robust root growth and full and compact leaves.
The Special Preference Of Different Types Of Succulents For Soil
1.The sedum family is meaty
Commonality and soil requirements of succulence in Sedulaceae
The succulent species of Sedulaceae is one of the most common succulent plants, including many varieties such as Yi female heart, peach egg and black mage. Most of them prefer soil with good drainage, good air permeability and some fertility. Generally speaking, the succulent soil suitable for the sedum family is a matrix composed of peat soil, perlite, vermiculite, etc. This soil mixture provides the right amount of water and nutrients while ensuring a good respiratory environment for the roots. For example, a soil mixture of peat: perlite: vermiculite = 3:1:1 can meet the growth needs of most sedulaceae succulents, making their leaves full and colorful.
Differences in individual varieties
Although there are commonalities in the succulence of sedulaceae, there are some differences between individual varieties. For example, some large varieties in the genus, such as Guanghan Palace, due to their large plants and relatively developed roots, the proportion of granular soil can be appropriately increased in the soil, such as adjusting the ratio of granular soil to peat soil to 2:1, so as to enhance the soil permeability and support, and prevent plants from lodging due to root growth restriction. And some small sedum fleshiness, such as jade, the soil fertility requirements are relatively low, can reduce the amount of peat soil, increase the proportion of perlite or coarse sand, in order to highlight the soil drainage and permeability, to avoid excessive fertility caused by the growth.
2. Cactus family meat
Succulent soil properties of Cacti family
The succulents are native to arid areas such as deserts and require very high soil drainage and permeability. They are adapted to growing in sandy soil, which quickly flushes out excess water and prevents root rot. It is generally possible to use a substrate of pure sand or sand mixed with other granular soil to grow the succulent cactus family. For example, mixing river sand with volcanic rock at a ratio of 2:1 not only ensures good drainage and permeability, but also provides certain mineral elements. Cactus succulence has very low fertility requirements, and there is almost no need to add too much organic fertilizer in the soil, and too much fertilizer will adversely affect its growth.
Special environmental adaptability and soil adjustment
Some succulents of the cactus family grow in special environments such as rock crevices, and their roots can adapt to more compact soil. In artificial planting, some fine rock or gravel can be appropriately added to the soil to simulate its native environment to enhance the stability and permeability of the soil. However, in general, it is still necessary to ensure water drainage as the first principle to avoid root diseases caused by soil water.
3. The twelve rolls are fleshy
Twelve rolls are fleshy soil requirements
Succulents such as Vientiane and Yulu prefer loose, breathable, well-drained and slightly acidic soils. Their roots are relatively thin and require high permeability to the soil. Generally, the method of mixing peat soil and granular soil can be used, such as mixing peat soil, perlite, vermiculite, and red jade soil in a ratio of 2:1:1:1. The mixed soil can provide a suitable acidic environment and good permeability, which is conducive to the root growth and leaf development of the succulents. Twelve-roll succulent has low fertility requirements, but some thin liquid fertilizer or slow-release fertilizer can be appropriately applied in the growing season to promote its growth.
Relationship between leaf window characteristics and soil
Leaf window is an important ornamental part of the succulents, and soil permeability and humidity have certain effects on the development of leaf window. If the soil is poorly ventilated or too wet, the leaf window may become blurred and less transparent, affecting its ornamental value. Therefore, in the planting process, the soil permeability and humidity should be strictly controlled to ensure that the leaf window can remain clear and full, showing the unique beauty of the twelvefold fleshy.
Soil Disinfection And Improvement
1. Soil disinfection methods
Sun disinfection
Exposure to sunlight is a simple and effective method of soil disinfection. Lay the prepared soil in the sun, the thickness should not exceed 10 cm, and let the sun fully shine for 3-5 days. Ultraviolet light kills most bacteria, eggs and weed seeds in the soil. This method is suitable for the disinfection of a small amount of soil, convenient and easy, and does not require additional equipment and costs. However, in the process of exposure, it is necessary to pay attention to turning the soil so that all parts can fully receive sunlight.
Drug disinfection
The commonly used disinfection methods are the use of carbendazim, potassium permanganate and other fungicides. Dilute the fungicide according to the instructions, mix it well with the soil, then cover the soil with a plastic film and seal it for 2-3 days. This method can quickly and effectively kill harmful microorganisms in the soil, but pay attention to the concentration and use of drugs to avoid harm to succulents caused by drug residues. After disinfection, the film should be uncovered to allow the soil to ventilate for a period of time, so that the drug volatilizes before use.
2. Soil improvement measures
Organic addition
In order to improve the structure and fertility of the soil, organic substances can be added appropriately. Such as decomposed compost, earthworm manure and so on. These organic materials can increase the organic matter content in the soil, making the soil more porous and breathable, while also slowly releasing nutrients to provide long-term nutritional support for succulents. When adding organic matter, pay attention to control the amount, generally not more than 10% of the total soil, so as not to affect the soil permeability and water drainage.
Adjust the soil pH
Some succulents have special requirements for soil pH. If the soil pH is not suitable, it can be adjusted. For succulent varieties that prefer acidic soil, such as the Twelve-roll genus, you can add some sulfur powder or pine needle soil to reduce the pH of the soil; For succulents that like alkaline soil, such as some cacti succulents, you can add some lime powder to raise the pH of the soil. When adjusting the pH, it should be carried out gradually to avoid the impact of excessive changes in pH value on succulents, and the soil PH should be regularly tested to ensure that it is maintained within the appropriate range.
Conclusion
Choosing the right soil is the key to succulent cultivation success. We need to choose or formulate the most suitable soil for the growth of succulents according to the types of succulents, growth habits and planting environment, considering the characteristics of soil permeability, water drainage, fertility and so on. At the same time, through effective disinfection and improvement measures to create a healthy and comfortable growth foundation for succulents, so that these lovely plants thrive under our care, adding more green and beautiful to our lives.
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