1. Home
  2. Question and Answer
  3. Houseplants
  4. Garden Articles
  5. Most Popular Plants
  6. Plant Nutrition

Succulent Problem


Question
I have 2 succulent plants and each have issues:

(I will send you pictures of each plant)

1.  This plant was given to me 2 months ago potted with a Hybiscus.  This plant has branched off to propogate I believe and the adjoining segment between the 2 rooted parts has shriveled up and turned brown/yellow.  The roots are very small and weak and each side is leaning and one is barely in the dirt at all.  I water this plant with city water, about 1 time a week (when i water the Hybiscus).
It is in a western facing window (the most well lit window in the house).  I have no idea how old the plant is, each half is about 4-5 inches tall, and the hybiscus pot is a 10 Qt pot.

2.  This plant is brand new as of last month, very pretty plant.  4 seperate stalks each 5-6 inches tall.  Pot size is about 1-2 qts (6 inch top diameter by 6 inches high) and I bought it a tiny pont (2 inches by 2 inches maybe).  I have watered it about 2 times in the 2 weeks I have had it.  City water.  
Problem:  the plants leaves were very soft (low turgor)and some had wrinkled up and a couple fell off of the plant.

What are my problems?  Can you suggest a watering schedule or care prgram for me to manage these plants?

Answer
Lauren,

I'm not sure exactly what the latin names of the plants are but they are succulents. You are over watering and the one that you moved from the 2" pot to the 6" pot is overpotted. You should only go from a 2" pot to a 4" pot or a 4" pot to a 6" pot or a 12" pot to a 14 inch pot. It would probably be petter if you moved it down to a 4 inch pot so it would dry out easier before you water again.  Moving plants to too large of pots makes it too easy to overwater which is the porblem you are having. They would also be better off in sandy cactus soil.

You should not be watering either plant more often than every 2-3 weeks when they are bone dry. Succulents are from the desert or the dry plains in Africa. In nature they sometimes only get dew for weeks at a time. Do not give them a lot of water, just small amounts then do not water again until they are dry. Never leave them with water sitting in their drain trays. Keep them in the sunniest window you have. If you have more questions write again. Good luck.

Darlene

Copyright © www.100flowers.win Botanic Garden All Rights Reserved