can the effects of overwatering be delayed?

3 years ago

i watered my succs as I normally do, every 3 weeks, 3 weeks ago today. i’ve had them both for over two years. last week, i moved them to a different window, after three months in one spot, but they are and have always been under two growlights—that hasn’t changed. tonight, I went to water them and noticed that many of my jade‘s leaves had turned yellow and fallen off, as had one leaf on my gollum jade. i don’t believe i saw any damage the first week after watering, so I was shocked to see my succs were in trouble now. is this definitely overwatering, even if it was delayed? is there anything i can do to help them and will the damage continue to worsen? i’m planning to delay watering for all my succs (I also have 2 haworthias and one burro’s tail, both seem fine) by at least a week, but should i wait longer? thank you SO much.

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Comments (4)

rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
3 years ago
Over-watering effects do not show minute you do it, sometimes it cou;ld take weeks or even longer. It all depends on soil: how water-retaining it is. And, often, how many times they got overwatered. I wouldn't worry about 1 leaf yellowing (oldest leaves will eventually yellow, shrivel and dry up), but losing many leaves all of sudden is bit more of concern.

Is there a drainage hole in smaller container? What kind of medium are they potted in? How do you determine it is time to water - or just go 'on schedule'? How much do you water?

Watering 1x/3weeks sound too seldom to me - but it depends on other factors.
vrl206
Original Author
3 years ago
Yep, there is a drainage hole! I repotted the jade last summer in succulent soil, purchased at a garden shop. I

Watering is on a schedule, every 3 weeks. For all my succs, I fill up a 6 oz cup 3 times, to make water comes out of the drainage hole. Since the jade is the largest plant I have, I might’ve filled the six oz cup closer to four times the last time I watered, given that its summer. I can’t remember. But I’ve been watering this way for over 2 years with no issue. Would you suggest watering with less water, more frequently? I will say that last year I had an issue with my grow light and so the bottom leaves of the plant grew vertical due to lack of light—I have an additional grow light now so the new is healthy and grew normal. Maybe it was time for the old growth—even if a lot—to die? Due to the leaves being so yellow, and some a bit mushy, I feel like overwatering is the more likely culprit.
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rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
3 years ago
Soft/mushy leaves that are almost translucent yellowish color are often indication of rotting. Perhaps your cactus soil doesn't drain well? That seems to be often problem with C&S soil. PPL using it would amend it with either pumice or perlite (1:1 ratio). And others (like me), use mix made of mostly inorganic ingredients (grit, pumice, perlite, scoria, turface and more).

Succulents should be watered thoroughly when needed. 1x/3wks sounds too seldom to me, but it depends on potting mix, temps - season, and plant. The mix should be almost completely dry. Not just on top, but deep in the pot. Check your soil using a wooden or bamboo skewer or chopstick, thin wooden dowel/stick or even pencil. Insert deep, leave in for a while. If dry when pulled out - time to water. So watering on schedule with measured amount is not always best...

Old leaves will eventually die, but it shouldn't be so many at the same time, and all of sudden. They will dry up to crisp, not get mushy.
vrl206 thanked rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
vrl206
Original Author
3 years ago
Hmm. Would it make sense for the soil to have drained fine for a year before showing problems this month? I like the idea about checking deep in the soil for watering.

Leaves we’re only slightly mushy, definitely not translucent. and a few had fallen off and gotten crispy. I’m stumped!

In any case, thank you for your advice and guidance. I suspended watering for all my plants but hope to check them to water on Monday, a week “late”. For the jade with the still yellowing leaves, when would you suggest giving him water? His soil seems bone dry but his bottom leaves (about four) are still yellowing.

can the effects of overwatering be delayed?

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can the effects of overwatering be delayed?

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