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Keep out. ✖️✖️ . . #nikon #la #discoverla #griffithobservatory #griffithpark #caution #greenfeels #landscape #photography #streetphotography (at Los Angeles, California)

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Succulent affair // new found love

SO I recently found a new love in life and I want to share it with you - SUCCULENTS. they are gorgeous and come in all different shapes, sizes and colours! The best part is, with my busy schedule (and many others like me who don't have a lot of time to garden), they don't take a whole lot of effort. They lift the energy in a room instantly and just make it feel fresher more raw and more organic. So for those of you who wish to take part in caring for some beautiful succulents of your own I have got a few pointers on how to grow succulents like a boss!

It’s true that succulents generally need less water than most house plants. A good rule of thumb to begin with is to water them once a month in winter,  and once a week in all other seasons. However, pay close attention to your plants, if they are looking crusty around day five or the soil is still moist after nine days, then adjust your watering schedule accordingly.

Succulents should almost completely dry out in between thorough waterings. 

Overwatering is one of the biggest causes of death in succulents as it usually leads to plant rot. Crikey! If leaves become too soft and droopy, you’re watering too much. Also, succulents prefer rainwater or distilled water at room temperature. Cold water can shock their roots and kill them. Tap water is ok, but can eventually lead to minerals building up in the soil over time which will require you to repot your plant.

Succulents require bright, indirect sunlight. In nature, they are often sheltered by larger plants so that they only receive filtered sunlight through the cracks instead of full on rays. They are not looking for a Jersey Shore tan and it’s better to keep them out of direct light. 

If the leaves look “bleached,” yellow, tan, red or your plant appears to be bending significantly towards the sun (called etiolation), then it needs a shadier spot. If new growth on your plant is light green and elongated, it needs more light.

Despite their desert dweller reputation, succulents are much more cold-tolerant than people assume. Similar to the desert, where there is a marked difference between night and day, succulents thrive all the way down to 40ºF (4ºC). However, they prefer daytime temperatures between 70-85ºF  (21-29ºC) and nighttime lows of 50-55ºF  (10-13ºC). These temperatures slightly decrease in winter when they are dormant. 

Do not use regular potting soil, folks!! Succulent plants have a need for a well draining soil, whereas most house plant soil is the opposite. Succulent soil should be approximately 1/3 regular soil, 1/3 horticultural pumice (gravel works, too), and 1/3 horticultural, coarse sand (sandbox-type sand is not a good choice as it’s usually not washed and can contain salt). With the increasing popularity of succulents and cacti, you can likely find soil especially made for succulents – just look around!

  Too much fertilizer can be worse than none at all. Use a low nitrogen fertilizer at about ½ to ¼ the recommended rate. You may also be able to find fertilizer made for succulents. This component is not completely necessary as too much fertilizer can kill your plant. Jeepers!

That’s the end of our basic guide! If you want to learn more, I recommend researching the particular species of succulent you have to find out its exact preferences. If you have any tips or tricks from your own succulent care, share the wealth in the comments.

Source: http://thenectarcollective.com/