Generally, I don't water a re-potted succulent.

Josh

Thanks Josh, I will not water again, but any hints on when it is safe to give it a splash? It is potted for now in pure cinder so it is likely bone-dry again already, but surely by tomorrow. Thanks for the help :o) Dan

Pardon me, what is cinder? Would that be Ash?

These are not houseplants, they're succulents, so they're not that thirsty & can go for some time w/out watering.

I grow Haworthias in a homemade gritty, C&S mix, (little if any peat). I have them in plastic & water about once every week or 2.

Josh is right in suggesting one not water in newly potted succulents (let's them settle for a bit & callous over if needed).

Extra warning about cold & wet, that's the kiss of death for succulents. Since you're in PA (I'm in NYC) & the cold has kicked in, be careful keeping it on the window near the cold, it'd definately need to be dry to survive that.

If you're new to succulents, the best advice we can give is: When in doubt about watering, don't. Succulents can recover readily from underwatering, but not overwatering.

I'm sorry for not clarifying. It is in pure volcanic cinder that has been screened and washed and needless to say in a clay pot to enhance drainage even further. I grow my Cyphostemma (juttae, currorii and segmentatum) in this without problem as well as some really dry-loving bulbs like Gethyllis from the same part of the world.

I will move it downstairs under my grow lights, but will not get them too close since they are newbies.....they will see maybe 50 at night and with the multiple 400W MH bulbs on during the day they will see more like high 60s. Does this sound better?

Thanks again for the help :o) Dan

Dan..

I have a few that I keep in south facing windows and the mix dries out within a day or two for mine.
Even so, I still only water once a week without letting water touch the plant above soil line.
I water just the mix all around it..They are doing very well.

Josh:

Thanks for that advice..I never water any of my succulents, especially jades after a repot for a few days because of your experienced advice..

Much appreciated..:-)

Mike

BlueBonsai,

Pls. check again about care of this plant BEFORE you put them under the lights.

Broadly speaking, Haworthias don't want or need the direct light or bright sun of many other succulents (say for instance Aloes or Jades), some are even used to growing under the shade of other plants.

I'm guessing lights are not recommended for this plant.

Dan,

I'd not give them much artificial light - if you can get them near a window that gets some sun and it's warm, I'd do that.

Karen,

Cinder is, I'm guessing, scoria - volcanic rock that is available, even up here, in red and black colours. It contains many vesicules (holes). It's usually much reduced in size to 1/4"/1/2" pieces, but see the link; that's scoria (rhymes with 'Korea').

Here is a link that might be useful:

Dan,
I'm relieved to hear that you're using scoria/pumice...
that will certainly help with any moisture issues.

There have been some pics of orange, light-burned Haworthias posted to this site -
so be cautious, indeed, if you put it under lights.

Josh

Thanks everyone, I had read that they were plants that hide in the shade of bushes so when I meant under the lights I meant in the place where I have my Haemanthus for example, rather than where I have my Cyphostemma, Brunsvigia, Boophane, Gethyllis, etc, but is always good to have that clarified for me. Perhaps the window is better as they will see the shorter days of winter.....my grow lights are on a 12 hr cycle. I can put them away from the windowsill by having them on a small table with my Rauhia and Veltheimia which may be better.

The volcanic rock I have used is from Hawaii rather than me trying to crush the scoria you can buy in large size. I have read lots of +/- about that stuff in terms of what is in it so am not that sure about what I would be buying. Since I have a limited number of plants I use this on I just pay the piper so to speak and get the stuff from the big island.....makes me feel like I can see the ocean from here!!

Thanks for all the help everyone and hopefully by next summer or fall they will have recovered a bit so they start to show what they can do :o) Dan

I will try to give some input here. I live in a vally that is very hot and dry like Africa. I grow mine with low light under a bench in the summer, not much light at all, and very little water during the months of July-August-Sept. many drop their roots so must not be watered until they start to grow again of they can die over night. In Oct. I take them out of the old soil, clean away the old leaves, give them new soil, and watch for the new white roots then begin to water and fertilize, I do not let any water get into the crown of the heads. I am told that in the Eastern States that you grow Africa plants differently. Norma

Dan,
You got any photos yet?

I'll let you know when I get mine ;o) This will be my 1st attempt at growing Haworthia, all I know it that they are winter growers and don't like overhead watering. Won't have to worry about intense light at this time of year.

Here are a couple of pics of my haworthias growing under my lights in the basement. There are a few other succulents thrown in with the haworthias.

I've been re-potting the last month or so. The last time I re-potted the haworthias was in 1994. (I can't believe it's been that long since they had fresh soil. I feel terrible, but it didn't seem to hurt them any.)
Mike

Norma, Thanks for the information. I grow 95% bulbs from South Africa and while many require excellent drainage, water during their growing season is not an issue at all. I have one Aloe vera plant that is just in standard potting soil and gets a ton of water in the summer and grows like crazy, but that is an awfully easy plant. I am not sure if the ones I just got will grow now since they think it is summer and I find it takes about a year to convert plants to a new growth cycle. For example, the Haemanthus I just got in along with my Gethyllis and Brunsvigia will likely not grow until next fall.

Keith, I have not taken a pic....not really worth taking a pic of in their present just received state.

Mike, those are some nice looking plants :o) Dan