Why are my succulents dying?
Elsa
6 years ago
About a month and a half ago I purchased what I thought echeveria 'magic red', it seemed in pretty good condition so I left it in its plastic pot without repotting it. This is what it looked like when I first bought it:
I then left on vacation for just over 2 weeks, leaving it and my Echeveria Perle Von Nurnberg in a sunny-ish spot. Succulents being easy to overwater and notoriously drought resistant I did not think that them not being watered would be an issue, however when I arrived home I came back to this:
My Perle Von Nurnberg (below) had suffered a similar fate;
(potted in cacti and succulent soil with peat + wood fibers in terracotta pot with drainage holes)
And the same wrinkly leaves had appeared on my other succulent, despite having watered it before leaving for vacation:
Can anyone shed some light on what I'm doing wrong and how to save my succulents? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
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ariel7576 (Puerto Vallarta, Mex.)
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoElsa thanked ariel7576 (Puerto Vallarta, Mex.)Related Discussions
Help! My Rosette Succulent is dying. what's wrong?
Comments (21)jenny, I agree with LilBit, pot is too large so when repotting change that too. I think I would use unglazed pot, it will dry up faster. I would also mound-up the soil so it sits higher. Just use easy draining mix. Is it coir in your pot? wantonamara gave you excellent advice, so consider that. Mine grow very well, multiply, flower all the time. But the conditions are just little more favourable (closer to Germany than Malaysia). Remember, these may be little more difficult for you to grow, but there is so many other plants you can keep easier in your area that are much more challenging for us in colder zones...so don't give up, it could work with some effort. (Not to lecture you so pls. don't get upset, but you brought it from Germany? I know, it is very tempting, but plant material is not supposed to be taken from other countries to prevent spread of possible diseases etc...Where was it growing there - in ground or in container?) Rina...See MoreMy succulents are dying.. possibly caused by rotten roots. help me plz
Comments (23)Hi Sara, I'm glad to hear you are listening to the advise provided and getting a lot with a drainage hole. Go ahead and pick up some perlite with it for you to mix 50/50 with the C&S soil you got. If you like the look of the terrarium you can achieve a similar look with a wide, shallow terra cotta pot (or any wide shallow lot with proper drainage). You can set up a nice little succulent garden in that. Also, if you don't get good light I recommend getting a lamp to provide some supplemental lighting. I use a compact florescent bulb to get mine through winter. Get the brightest one possible...See MoreWhy are my succulents dying?
Comments (5)Cactus soil often doesn't drain that well...These kind of arrangements are planted with many different plants for looks, without any consideration of individual plants need for watering and light. They usually look very good at first, but soon the problems start. I can't see different plants well enough to ID each (and probably don't know each of them :), but the 'variety of grassy plants' could be the hardy sedums I mentioned, at least few of them. They are growing long stems (which some trailing type plants will) but with sparse leaves spaced too far apart, and maybe thin/weak stems. All succulents could be kept outdoors in appropriate weather, and the hardy ones will overwinter outdoors - if you have access to it. If you have to keep them indoors, light is not as good and most will etiolate - stretch while 'reaching for the light....See MoreNeed Help! Why are my succulents dying?? TIA
Comments (9)Maddy, the Sempervivum could be dry because either they're suffering from root rot and can't take up water because the roots are dead (likely) or because they aren't being watered enough (not as likely). I think root and drainage issues are more likely because it's really easy to over-water a succulent and more difficult to under-water, especially with what looks like a really organic mix. Can you pull the plants out of their pots and clean and inspect the roots? If they look ok, you can repot in a mix with half Perlite and half soil (and leave off the top dressing since it helps hold moisture in the soil). I can't tell what the last two photos are, either....See More
lisasfbay9b
6 years agoariel7576 (Puerto Vallarta, Mex.)
6 years agoG
6 years ago
Karen S. (7b, NYC)
6 years agoElsa
6 years agoElsa
6 years ago
mesembs
6 years ago
Caroline
5 years ago
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greenclaws UK, Zone 8a