However, it is not an easy task to raise more meat. Many novices often encounter such a problem: Why is my meat getting taller/thinner/thinner? Why is my fleshy color getting greener? Why does my fleshy body always die?
In fact, if you want succulents to be fat, you need to master some basic principles and methods.
This article will introduce you in detail from the following four aspects:
-The principle of fattening by eating more meat: ultraviolet rays, temperature difference, moisture and vegetation.
-methods of fattening by eating more meat: open cultivation, soil preparation, watering and fertilization.
-Skills of fleshing and fattening: light-supplementing lamp, anti-rabbit treasure and cytokine.
-Precautions for fattening by eating more meat: pests, diseases and changing pots.
As long as you follow the guidance of this article, you can make your succulents healthier, more beautiful and more attractive!
First, the principle of fleshy fattening
Succulents are plants with high adaptability and drought tolerance. Most of them are native to arid, barren and bright environments. In order to survive and protect themselves, they have developed the following characteristics:
-Thick stems, leaves or roots for storing water and nutrients;
-compact growth habits to reduce water evaporation and volume;
-Rich pigments, used to resist ultraviolet rays and regulate temperature;
-Strong roots for absorbing water and fixing soil.
Therefore, in order to keep succulents fat, it is necessary to simulate their natural growth environment as much as possible and provide them with the following four conditions:
-Sufficient ultraviolet rays: ultraviolet rays are the main factor for coloring and compactness of succulents. Only when ultraviolet rays are strong, succulents will produce rich pigments to protect themselves and inhibit excessive elongation of stems and leaves.
If ultraviolet rays are insufficient, succulents will become pale, overgrown and sparse.
-Large temperature difference: Temperature difference is another important factor for the coloring and vitality of succulents. Only when there is a large temperature difference between day and night or season, succulents will adjust their metabolism and pigments to adapt to environmental changes and show more vivid colors.
If the temperature difference is not enough, succulents will become monotonous, sluggish and lack vitality.
-Appropriate moisture: Water is a necessity for the growth and flowering of succulents. Only when water is sufficient, succulents can give full play to the function of their thick stems, leaves or roots, store water and nutrients, and bloom beautiful flowers at the right time.
If there is too much or too little water, succulents will rot, wither or stagnate for a long time.
-Breathable vegetation: Vegetation is the foundation for the survival and growth of succulents. Only when the vegetation is breathable, succulents can have strong roots, absorb moisture and nutrients, and keep the soil dry and clean.
If the air permeability of plant materials is poor, succulents will suffer from root hypoxia, bacterial infection or soil hardening.
The above four conditions are the principle of fleshy and fattening, and they are also the basic requirements that we need to pay attention to and meet when maintaining succulents.
Next, we will introduce how to eat more meat and gain weight from specific methods and skills.
Second, the method of fleshing and fattening
According to the principle of fleshy fattening, we can sum up the following four methods to fight fleshy fattening:
-Open cultivation: Open cultivation refers to putting succulents outdoors to receive natural sunshine, temperature difference and air.
Open cultivation is the simplest and most effective method, because it can simulate the natural growth environment of succulents to the greatest extent, so that succulents can get the best light, temperature difference, water and planting conditions.
Open-cultured succulents usually grow more compact, colorful and bright.
Of course, bare cultivation also needs to pay attention to some details, such as avoiding extreme weather such as sun exposure, heavy rain and cold, and cleaning up weeds and pests in time.
-Soil mixing: Soil mixing refers to selecting suitable soil and particles according to the characteristics and needs of succulents, and mixing and adjusting them to achieve the effects of good air permeability, moderate water retention and balanced nutrients.
Soil mixing is an important factor affecting the growth and health of succulents, because it is directly related to the root development and water absorption of succulents.
The principle of mixing soil is to take good air permeability as the basic requirement, and the common ones are peat (water retention and nutrients), coconut chaff (fluffy and hydrophobic), vermiculite (water retention), red clay (water absorption and air permeability increase), cinder (air permeability increase), sediment (air permeability increase), organic manure (a small amount in the upper basin is used as base fertilizer) and rice husk charcoal (adjusting soil acidity and alkalinity).
The specific proportion can be adjusted according to different succulent varieties and personal preferences. Generally speaking, the proportion of half peat and half granules can be used for growing plants, and the proportion of 60% peat and 40% granules can be used for sowing.
-Watering: Watering refers to providing succulents with proper water to keep the water needed for their growth and flowering.
Watering is the most easily overlooked and error-prone method, because many novices don't know how to master the frequency and measurement of watering, which leads to succulents being too dry or too wet.
The principle of watering is to thoroughly dry and thoroughly pour, that is, water the basin soil after it is completely dry, and water it thoroughly, so that the basin soil is completely wet.
This can ensure that succulents get enough water, and prevent the soil from being too wet and causing rot or bacterial infection.
The specific watering time can be adjusted according to different seasons and weather. Generally speaking, it can be watered at dusk in spring and autumn, twice along the basin every three weeks in summer and once a month in winter.
-Fertilization: Fertilization refers to providing succulents with proper nutrients to promote their growth and flowering.
Fertilization is an effective method to improve the quality and beauty of succulents, because it can supplement the nutrients that succulents lack in the soil, make their stems and leaves thicker and flowers more colorful.
The principle of fertilization is to apply fertilizer once a month during the growing period, and each fertilization should be diluted, so as to avoid root burning or futile growth caused by excessive fertilization.
Specific fertilization types can be selected according to different succulent varieties and personal preferences. Generally speaking, organic fertilizers (such as chicken manure, cow dung, bone meal, etc.) can be used as base fertilizers, and a small amount of them can be mixed into the soil when they are put in the basin. Slow-release fertilizers (such as compound fertilizers, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, etc.) can be used as topdressing and sprinkled on the surface of the basin soil every month during the growing period.
The above four methods are the methods of fattening meat, and they are also the basic steps that we need to implement and practice when maintaining succulents.
Next, we will introduce how to eat more meat and gain weight from some specific skills.
Third, the skills of fleshing and fattening
In addition to the above methods, we can also use some skills to improve the effect of fattening. These skills are:
-supplementary light: supplementary light refers to the use of artificial light sources to supplement the shortage of natural light when maintaining succulents indoors, so as to increase the illumination time and intensity of succulents.
Fill light lamp is an essential tool for indoor maintenance of succulents, because it can effectively prevent succulents from becoming pale, overgrown and sparse due to insufficient light.
The following points should be paid attention to in the selection of fill light: First, the appropriate wavelength and color temperature should be selected. Generally speaking, succulents need a combination of blue light and red light, and the color temperature is between 6000 K and 6500 K; The second is to choose the appropriate power and distance. Generally speaking, succulents need 30-50W power per square meter, and the distance is between 30-50cm. The third is to control the appropriate time and frequency. Generally speaking, succulents need 8- 12 hours of light supplement every day, and the frequency is between 3-5 times a week.
-Anti-Tubo: Anti-Tubo refers to the use of some physical or chemical means to inhibit the excessive elongation of its stems and leaves during the growth of succulents to maintain its compactness and beauty.
Anti-tubao is an effective skill to improve the quality and beauty of succulents, because it can effectively prevent succulents from becoming overgrown and loose due to excessive temperature, water or fertilization.
There are several ways to prevent Tubao: first, use physical supports such as bamboo sticks or iron wires to fix the stems and leaves so that they are not easy to elongate; Second, chemical agents such as cytokines or ethephon are used to spray the stems and leaves to stop their growth; Third, use tools such as scissors or blades to trim the stems and leaves to keep them balanced.
-Cytokines: Cytokines refers to a hormone compound that can promote cell division and proliferation. It can be used in the propagation methods of succulents such as sowing, cutting and grafting to improve their survival rate and growth rate.
Cytokines is an effective skill to improve the reproductive efficiency and quality of succulents, because it can effectively promote the wound healing, root development and stem-leaf branching of succulents.
Attention should be paid to the following points in the use of cytokines: First, the appropriate concentration and dosage should be selected. Generally speaking, succulents need the concentration of 1000-2000ppm, and the dosage is between 1-2 drops each time; The second is to choose the right time and method. Generally speaking, succulents need to be smeared or soaked when the wound is fresh, and avoid direct sunlight; The third is to control the appropriate frequency and times. Generally speaking, succulents need to be used every other week during the breeding period, and they can be used for 2-3 times in total.
The above three skills are the skills of fleshing and fattening, and they are also some tips that we can try and use when maintaining succulents.
Finally, we will introduce how to eat more meat and gain weight from some common precautions.
Four, the matters needing attention of fleshy fattening
In the process of fattening, we also need to pay attention to some common problems and risks to avoid unnecessary injuries or losses to succulents. These problems and risks are as follows:
-Pests: Pests refer to some insects or mites that can harm succulents. They usually suck the juice or tissues of succulents, causing the succulents to wither, discolor or deform.
Insect pests are the main factors affecting the health and beauty of succulents, because they not only hinder the growth of succulents, but also spread some germs or viruses.
Attention should be paid to the following points in pest control: First, the stems, leaves and roots of succulents should be inspected regularly, and pests should be removed in time when found; Second, we should use appropriate drugs and methods to kill pests. Generally speaking, we can use liquids such as detergent, alcohol and pesticides to spray or soak succulents, and we can also use physical methods such as yellow sticky board and smoking to trap or drive away pests. The third is to improve the growing environment and conditions of succulents. Generally speaking, it is necessary to keep the basin soil dry, well ventilated, with sufficient light and appropriate temperature, and avoid excessive watering, fertilization or close planting.
-Diseases: Diseases refer to some bacteria or fungi that can harm succulents. They usually invade the wounds or tissues of succulents, causing succulents to rot, blacken or die.
Diseases are the main factors affecting the survival and longevity of succulents, because they not only lead to the death of succulents, but also infect other healthy succulents.
The prevention and control of diseases should pay attention to the following points: first, the wounds or incisions of succulents should be treated in time, disinfected with disinfectant such as iodine and alcohol, and then potted or cut after the wounds are dried; Second, we should use appropriate drugs and methods to kill germs. Generally speaking, we can use bactericides such as chlorothalonil and thiophanate methyl to spray or soak succulents, and we can also use dry powder such as sulfur powder and charcoal powder to sprinkle on the surface of basin soil or wound. The third is to isolate infected succulents and avoid contact or mixing with other healthy succulents.
-Changing pots: Changing pots refers to changing larger or more suitable pots and soil after succulents grow to a certain extent, so as to provide better growth space and conditions.
Changing pots is an important method to promote the growth and health of succulents, because it can effectively solve the problems of root entanglement, soil aging or discomfort of pots.
The points for attention in changing pots are as follows: First, it is necessary to choose the appropriate time and season. Generally speaking, it is better for succulents to change pots during the growing period or dormancy period, and it is better to change pots in spring and autumn; The second is to choose suitable pots and soil. Generally speaking, succulents need pots with good permeability, good drainage and moderate capacity, as well as soil with good permeability, moderate water retention and balanced nutrients. Third, the operation of changing pots should be carried out correctly. Generally speaking, the succulents should be taken out from the original pots, the roots and soil should be cleaned, and the roots that are weak or too long should be cut off. Then, a drainage layer and a base fertilizer layer should be put into the new pots, and then the succulents should be put into the new pots, filled with new soil, and patted lightly. Finally, no watering or fertilization should be carried out within one week after changing pots.
The above four points for attention are the points for attention of fleshy and fattening, and also some common problems and risks that we need to avoid and prevent when maintaining succulents.
Through the introduction of this article, I believe you have mastered the principles, methods, skills and precautions of how to fatten up succulents. I hope you can use these knowledge and experience to make your succulents more beautiful and charming!