New to succulents, worried I might be killing them

6 years ago

Hey guys! I'm new here & ive been reading all I can get my hands on about succulents & cacti (mostly succulents since I don't have any cacti) but I'm worried that my inexperience is gonna kill my plants. I've purchased succulent soil from Bonsai Jack, I use terra-cotta pots with drainage holes, some are inside in an east facing window, the rest are out on my front porch which is west facing & I only water when they're dry (about once a week or less if I forget) & most of them seem happy. I live in Georgia & ive decided to try to put some of my babies outside for the summer (the ones on my porch)

but I worry it's too humid here. I've attached some pics of what I think is a Kalanchoe luciae that I have outside who just seems to be not loving it. I wanted to put him outside because I know they like full sun & fhe other one I have grew alright but was clearly not happy inside with the other succulents in the east facing window. He came with the bumps & weird spots on his leaves & im wondering if they're indicative of anything bad or they're just normal plant stuff that happens over time or during transport or whatever. Please help if you've got any ideas or suggestions I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks :)

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Comments (6)

lisasfbay9b
6 years ago
Your bumps and spots don't concern me, just scars, somewhat normal. Plant looks fine, becareful when moving out to slowly transition to more and more sun. Sunburn is a risk if transitions to abruptly. Nest risk might be soil, sounds like you have done well, but drainage is key, so plenty grit, lava rock,pumice or perlite. Pay close attention to sun and heat as in micro-climates, like reflective sun or accumulated heat from being near pavement or the broadside of your house making a hot spot with long sun exposure. These are subtleties people sometimes overlook, but your plants look fine from what I see, Enjoy!!
portumanowar
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks so much for the feedback!! I'm glad the spots & bumps & things seem to be normal. Mostly I was worried because the leaves seemed limp rather than firm & when I bought it, it was baking in a parking lot at Home Depot with some other poor plants and was a much brighter red than it is now. Ive told a few workers they need to move them but I just don't think they care very much.

I rescued a few others I think are doing alright but they're in an office in a northwest facing window & get lots & lots of sun so I'm worried they maybe too exposed.

This is them from a couple of weeks ago, right after I repotted them in the bonsai Jack soil (the headless one is a plant I've had for a while that I just added to the arrangement, you can see it's little head to the left of it)

This is what they looked like 2 days ago.

(The sunburn on the curled one is from its time in the parking lot)

do you think they're still getting too much sun?? Or is it ok for them to be that red & a little curled??
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rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Red on succulents if good, but not sunburn...they need to be acclimatized. K. luciae loves outdoors and lots of sun, but same - they need to get used to nice sunshine slowly - just like ppl...Sunlight coming thru the window is never as potent as direct, outdoors. There is a current thread by Crenda in Florida -see here- showing her beauties - very red! - outdoors.
portumanowar
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you for your response! I'm relieved you think they're ok. I knew succulents could turn read but I thought it was mostly in winter, but that's why I'm on here constantly learning new stuff everyday :)
Joshua Suhaimi
6 years ago
Even though you used succulent soil, I've been told to mix in something gritty as well.
portumanowar
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I tried Miracle Grow succulent & cactus mix cut pretty heavily with perlite to begin with but I was still having lots of rotting issues so I switched to a premixed gritty mix I found recommended online. I'm using this gritty mix succulent soil. I've been assuming I can just use it straight out of the bag but I'd be more than happy to adjust if anyone thinks I need to.

https://www.bonsaijack.com/shop/premixed-bonsai-soil/succulent-soil/3-5-gallons-succulent-and-cactus-soil-mix/

New to succulents, worried I might be killing them

Comments (6)

lisasfbay9b

portumanowar
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New to succulents, worried I might be killing them

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