Supervised by Fumio Fujikawa (Species Nursery)
Succulents/cacti
Summer succulents are those that grow from spring to autumn and go dormant in winter. They are native to Madagascar, Central and South America (mainly Mexico), tropical Africa, etc. Among these, those that grow in high mountains are sometimes treated as winter succulents. They are generally grown outdoors and kept indoors in winter. Cacti are also generally treated in the same way as summer succulents.
point
- Root in spring and grow quickly.
・Even though it is a summer type, growth slows down in midsummer.
- Choose a small pot to fit the plant.
succulents
Euphorbia poissoni 
Aloe sprafoliata
Cactus
Astrophytum myliostigma 'Onzuka' 
Parodia chrysacantion
How To
sunshine
In spring and autumn, place it outdoors in a well-ventilated location where it can get plenty of sun. In summer, use a shade net to block out about 30% of the light. This is to prevent plants that are accustomed to the rainy season from being burned by sudden exposure to strong light. On a south-facing balcony, place it in a shady spot along the wall.
In addition, for Gasteria, such as Gagyu, which develops its leaves close to the ground (excluding species such as Laurinthonia, which stand tall and prefer sunny areas), and Echeveria, which do not do well in the heat, it is best to reduce the light by increasing the shading.
Watering
The basic rule is to water until water flows out of the holes in the bottom of the pot. During the growing season, water at intervals equal to twice the number of days the topsoil is dry. This is the same for Cape bulbs, codex plants, and ground bromeliads, and it is best to follow this rhythm until you get used to it.
However, advanced growers can water the plant continuously during the growing season. Even in this case, to prevent rotting due to incomplete watering, be sure to water the pot until water comes out from the bottom and thoroughly follow the basic rules of allowing fresh air to circulate inside the pot.
At the beginning of the growing season (around mid-March) and when it transitions to the dormant period (mid- to late November), water it slightly less frequently. In particular, in early spring, when the roots are still only just starting to grow, overwatering can cause the plant to rot. During the dormant period, it is sufficient to stop watering completely or water it once a month.
Overwinter
It's best to bring them inside before frost hits. A good guideline is when the minimum temperature drops below 5°C. Place them in a sunny window. Even if they're placed near a window and are subject to the outside air temperature, dropping to 0°C at night, it's easier for them to survive winter if the temperature rises to around 20°C during the day than if they're placed in the shade where it's always around 5°C.
The reason for slowing down watering in winter is that it helps the plants retain more moisture and makes them more cold-tolerant. Don't try to force the plants to grow during this time. It's best to think of it as letting them rest, rather than trying to grow them.
Another trick to keeping succulents from becoming too tall is to create an environment where air can move around indoors. A circulator is ideal, but unlike other houseplants, succulents can tolerate the wind from an air conditioner. However, the wind from a hot air heater is a no-no.
In spring, the best time to return the plant to outdoor care is mid- to late March. If you are concerned about cold weather, you can keep it indoors until the double cherry blossoms in your area start to fall (early to mid-May), which will help prevent damage from sudden late frosts.
Repotting
It is best to do this before the growing season, around early to mid-March, but it is fine to do it up until around June. Avoid repotting in midsummer, but it can also be done in September.
Once you have removed the plant from the pot, remove all the soil from the roots and any loose roots. At this time, shake off any pests or diseases. To prevent root congestion, adjust the roots if they are too long. For cacti, you can cut the roots shorter, but for succulents, cut only the part that does not fit into the pot.
If you want to grow it quickly, you can repot it every year, but for larger plants, it's best to limit it to once every two to three years.
soil
The recommended ratio is 7 parts Akadama soil, 1 part Kanuma soil, 1 part pumice, 0.5 parts compost, and 0.5 parts perlite. If you don't repot every year, it's best to use hard Akadama or Kanuma soil. Cheaper varieties will crumble and turn muddy when watered, making them less breathable. You can also use pre-mixed potting soil for succulents.
PLUS ONE: The unique and special correlation between afternoon sun and succulents
As mentioned earlier, if you expose succulents to western sun and cultivate them carefully, they will grow into compact plants just like they did in their natural habitat, and their color will also improve. Not only do they look different from ordinary houseplants, but the appeal of succulents is that they require special cultivation methods.
