Is my echeveria overwatered or underwatered (on gritty mix)?
L Lake
5 years ago
A few weeks ago, I set up a small succulent garden using Bonsai Jack Gritty Mix, which seems to follow the gritty mix 1:1:1 formula quite accurately. It's my first time using the gritty mix, so I'm unfamiliar with the watering frequency required by it.
In this succulent garden, I have a number of Purple Perle Echeverias, Senecio Haworthiis, and a Echeveria Afterglow, which is the centerpiece of the arrangement. Recently, I've noticed that the Afterglow started to get a little wrinkled, and the leaves seem thinner and less rigid as previously, though there seems to be some healthy growth in the middle.
Can anyone tell (based on the photos below), if it's being overwatered or underwatered? The other succulents seem to be doing fine though there are a bit of wrinkly leaves in the Senecio Haworthiis. I'm somewhat speculative that these wrinkly leaves may be because these plants were mailed to me here in Boston 4 weeks ago, so some of the leaves got damaged in the cold. But that was almost a month ago, so I'm not so sure.
Here are some photos of said leaves:
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (10)
Jenn _7b
5 years ago
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
5 years agoRelated Discussions
A WARNING about gritty mixes
Comments (31)Asked : Nomen, this is off the subject a little, but do you have any of your own experience/evidence that watering a hot succulent (or any plant) can cause damage? My apologies for the waiting time for my response It's a welting warm and very sunny day with temps well into the 90's At Apx 1:00 PM a sudden rain storms strikes all your succulents when your not around and wont be around until 5:00 PM the sudden rains ends falling at 3:00 PM During the same time frame The temps then drop to a modest 73 F from the cooling rain but then climb back up to a warmer 88 F quickly after.. Are we all to believe this doesn't ever happen every where there is a succulent in a pot hanging around the adobe and then to agree that such event will also have no ill effects on any succulent ? A statement I can not agree to kindheartedly . I think you want to ask yourself is Does the succulent that is outside and already sun hardened in the sunny location have the experience to adapt to the sudden changes of outside climatic conditions/ changes I just mentioned with out ill effects ? It's not wise to water any plant in heat to suddenly cool it I consider such watering to be the equivalent as a sun bather laying on the beach for three hours until being tossed into the cooler ocean I suppose if that person is use to it someone can easily say the sunbather wont go into shock as I insist they most certainly will. We also know that most any plant in every species doesn't fair as well with sudden changes of hourly ups and downs in watering and warmer to cooler. In my experiences is only as small tid bit of information that may be of little to no value to you and maybe even less to all others. No two people will always agree to another persons methods regardless the facts that one person can produce to all others. Even when the results state to me what is common sense is also common scene to you if you think about it long enough it comes down to three things of which none are soils and/or soil less containers These three things are the potted plants location, location and location Time of year is also a consideration depending on each persons zone VS plant zone hardiness I can understand why the OP wants to address their concerns to others with observations of gritty mix use Common sense tells me that they would need to use higher volumes and more frequent watering during warmer months than what they would use ( or not use) during cooler months. Also understanding that cooler air also carries more moisture content in it the same cooler air can also ( potentially speaking) deliver more moisture to a potted succulent that specializes in getting and holding on to moisture from the air....See MoreThink I underwatered echeveria
Comments (10)The reason I thought it had rotted is that you said leaves are falling off with slightest touch, and it also looked dark in first photo. If it is just dry, then I would leave original stem with roots potted, it may start growing offsets along the stem. But I would suggest repotting ASAP - looking at the last photo, that is hydrophobic peat. Very difficult to re-wet. In that condition, it doesn't let any water to the roots. I would still prune off the pups; pot them up in much better mix. Same with remaining mother plant/stem. If not rotted, I would leave couple or few leaves on it and see if new pups start developing - unless you don't want new plants :) I would take off the uppermost for propagating if you want to. If you have sideways view to see the stem, pls. post. Give it best light you can....See MoreOverwatering? Under-Watering?
Comments (13)We don't mean to overwhelm you w/all this info. But there are certain basics required & proper mix (soil) is key. Sadly the mix you're thinking of using is awful for succulents. As you've been told sand is awful for them, so is 'regular' potting soil. Also particle size matters, it's best when materials are close to the same size, helps uniform drainage. What's shown in your link w/ pix of large & fine mixed together will impair drainage. The fine material will clog the air space in the mix & prevent the roots from getting oxygen, which the plant also needs along w/ light & water. Yes, many here will suggest 50/50 cactus & succulent mix combined in equal parts w/ perlite. This will give good drainage. So will 'gritty mix', as it's called here, which has several recipes to make your own which you can search for here. Pls. read up on succulents & learn that they have the ability to store water in their fat, fleshy leaves, so they don't need as much watering as many folks think. So when it comes to when to water, in succulents we say, when in doubt about watering, don't. Wait several more days then water. Using a sprayer (if you mean a mister) isn't good for succulents, best not to wet the leaves (encourages rot). Also best to water into the soil AROUND the plant, not on it. Sorry for all the details, but mix & drainage are super important in growing succulents; & usually the first correction folks need when they start coming here....See MoreAn update on my Jade plant & overwatering/underwatering issues
Comments (4)I will likely repeat some of what was already said, but here are my comments: 1. container needs to have drainage hole 2. layer of pebbles at the bottom doesn't help (if, only temporary and not enough). Best to be avoided. 3. good idea mixing purchased soil with perlite (or pumice, or gravel or few other, inorganic ingredients) - looking at the photo, it looks too 'fine' = often water retaining. Pls. note that I am only judging what I see in photo, and not being able to see it directly. 4. it is usually best to get rid of all old soil from the rootball. even washing it if difficult to remove. Spraying with garden hose helps :) Any damaged rots should be cut off. After, let roots dry up on something absorbent, in shade rather than sun. Good air circulation will speed it up. Few hrs to overnight is usually enough. 5. It could have been potted in smaller pot, but it should be ok since pot is not too deep. Big pot = lots of soil, and it may take longer time to dry up. 6. Do not put new succulents into full sun - unless you know for sure hey have been in sunny position before. Always acclimatize them. 7. Water when potting mix is almost completely dry: get a bamboo skewer/chopstick or even pencil. Insert deep into pot (at least 3/4 deep). Leave for few min; if clean and dry when pulled out -time to water. Watering depends on the temps - mix will dry up faster in hot weather; amount of potting mix and even pot - glazed pots take longer. 8. Some reddish color on leaves comes with good sun, and is desired by many of us. Just remember to acclimatize it in order not to burn it. Jades are very easy plants to grow. As with all succulents, give them great drainage and light and they will be happy. Do not expect overnight change - it will take a bit for plant to recuperate from repotting and it also depends on your growing conditions. And above all - enjoy it, do not worry about 'testing' it every day. Any further questions, just ask...:) PS: you will likely get best suggestions on Cacti and Succulents forum - growing other plants in garden is quite different than growing succulents in the containers......See MoreL Lake
5 years agorina_Ontario,Canada 5a
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoL Lake
5 years ago
myermike_1micha
5 years agorina_Ontario,Canada 5a
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agolisasfbay9b
5 years agoL Lake
5 years agoThanks all for your input! The issue was really the fact that it was very stressed after being mailed. It's now thriving and has more than doubled in size and is starting to cover other succulents in the arrangement. (it's the one in the center)
Related Stories
GARDENING GUIDESExperts Share 13 Common Gardening Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
See how to avoid overwatering, spacing out plants incorrectly and other landscaping pitfalls
Full Story
SUCCULENTS10 Ways to Make Magic With Succulent Centerpieces
These fresh ideas for living table toppers don’t need much water or care
Full Story
HOUSEPLANTSHigh-Impact Houseplants for First-Timers
These easygoing houseplants will forgive and forget if you skip a weekly watering
Full Story
GARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Hens-and-Chicks
Plant Sempervivum succulents for fuss-free garden color and character all year
Full Story
myermike_1micha