Succulents outside during the summer....soil mix?
Sunflowers
7 years ago
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Comments (18)
Kara 9b SF Bay Area CA
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoSunflowers
7 years agoRelated Discussions
A well-draining potting mix for succulents in South Florida?
Comments (9)I am in SWFL and have been having mostly good results with succulents outside, both in ground and in containers. It was not without some plant-deaths though. I have found that as long as I amend it heavily with perlite, it doesn't matter too much what else is in there. My lot has a ton of quick draining sand, which I know is normally a no-no, but I found that if I mixed in 40-50% perlite, I don't have any problems. Lately I have been using the cactus mix you find at bbs's amended with plenty of perlite. One piece of advice I'll give you which may save you some plants: when you buy a new succulent, loosen and remove as much of whatever mix they have it planted in from the roots. I even go so far as to rinse the roots under running water to get all of the peat mix away from the roots. I have found that if I do not do that, no matter how good the soil I place the plant in, the peat surrounding the roots from its original container can cause rot if it's exposed to the summer rains we get. As for mealies, at least for me, they have only been a problem when a nearby plant attracts them, such as some salvias I had. I'll find the occasional bug other than that, but a quick spray with soap, water, and alcohol takes care of it. Overall, they have not been a huge problem for me, and in fact, they seemed to have been less annoying during the hot rainy summer. Maybe the downpours continuously wash any away? Good luck with them....See MoreKeeping cactei and succulents outside during the summer.
Comments (5)All the succulents are hawortias, two retusas, one arachnoeida, one obtusa, one fasciata, one attentuata, one glauca(?)and one truncata. There are also some I do not know the name of. I also have an aloe.(torch resembling flowers, aristata?). All the cacteis are schlick hybrids. I will also recieve some gasterias the coming weeks. The rain can be very frequent and heavy as the atlantic weather systems hits straight on here every summer. The average percipitation for July is 5.07....See MoreHELP! New to succulents, soil has insufficient drainage, gritty mix?
Comments (15)Yes, I do. I have a nice big porch, which will be perfect next spring. I believe I am in zone 6A, it's starting to get quite chilly here in the evenings, and it is hurricane season, so we've had a couple very windy days, since they aren't used to being outside, I think I'd keep them in for this year. I don't want to do more damage at this point! Your succulents are gorgeous! Do you use grow lights through the winter? I've been debating whether my south facing window is enough. When it's sunny, it gets plenty of sun, but the winters here are often grey and over cast. Someone on the succulent Facebook group I'm on recommended sunblaster grow lights, so I've been thinking about possibly giving those a go! I've had at least had some luck propogating! I bought some leaves off Etsy, was given some from friends, and picked some up off the floor while I was buying my succulents at the hardware store. Nearly all are now rooting, and I've got some cute little babies starting! And thank you socks! I'm trying to get this right!!...See MoreJades/Succulents/TC&CC care during hot & humid weather. What you do?
Comments (17)Thank you everyone so much for what you do with your plants. Rina, your plants looks so happy, I really adore those aeoniums & echeverias! I like the motto SOS! I need to do that during the next downsizing. I wouldn't want to move all my plants either unless of the most severe storms (tornado warnings). Margaret, your weather sounds very comfortable, and what a typical Spring would be like in New England. I'm not usually in the super hot weather for a long time as there is AC indoors. When I'm in the pool the heat is great, just trying to avoid sunburn. I guess my plants and I have a lot in common, lol. Crenda, your tricolors remind me of past problems that I am trying to avoid, so I too feel they do best away from high humidity. It's like years of growing them and a few days of humidity turns them ugly. Maybe this is why some folks choose not to grow them.... so darn fussy. Ewwmayo, agreed on that shade cloth, love having it....what percent are you using? Mine is 30% but is doubled at the moment, when I get a chance later I will make it one layer. Pagan, too funny, I hope the mesembs are happier under that tough love...seems like it :) Mike, what is this about sitting back and enjoying the plants?!? Ha... I was just thinking the other day I don't have a chair in the gazebo, it's full of plants! I keep meaning to grab a chair and I forget. I collected rain water last night and earlier today I watered the 200+ plants. Looking around I have A LOT of repotting at least 50 to a 100! I do worry of older mixes being compact or they simply outgrew their pot. I'm going out soon and will get more potting mix. I'm sure the gazebo blocks more light than the plants could take. Western sun facing the shade cloth side, mostly jades and random succulents get the brightest area. CC/TC/Rhipsallis are further inward, they get some morning sun though on the other side. -Nancy...See Morelisasfbay9b
7 years agoKara 9b SF Bay Area CA
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoewwmayo
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoAS _NJ ZONE 6B
7 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
7 years agorina_Ontario,Canada 5a
7 years agoCrenda 10A SW FL
7 years agoewwmayo
7 years agorina_Ontario,Canada 5a
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoSunflowers
7 years agoKara 9b SF Bay Area CA
7 years agoCrenda 10A SW FL
7 years agoKara 9b SF Bay Area CA
7 years agoSunflowers
7 years agoCrenda 10A SW FL
7 years ago
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