Incorrect lighting, mistakes in watering and pruning in a short time will turn a beautiful succulent into a pathetic bare stem with withered leaves. Experienced flower grower Mikhail Ordynsky told how to save a plant, even if it begins to rot.
Mistake #1: Sudden changes or lack of lighting
Succulents need a lot of sunlight, so be sure to use a phytolamp in winter and early spring. The total daylight hours are 12 hours. Standard incandescent lamps are not suitable for this purpose.
However, a sudden change in lighting risks burning the stems. If you bought a succulent in a store or it was in partial shade, you cannot immediately place it on the most illuminated windowsill. A sudden increase in sunny days is detrimental to a succulent.
Mistake #2: Watering too often
If you water your succulent every time the top layer of soil dries out, it will quickly rot. After all, the soil next to the roots remains wet for a long time. It’s easy to check: take a wooden stick and stick it deep into the ground. If it is dry, you can water it.
By the way, the stem can soften and darken even without overwatering if you place the succulent on a cold windowsill. In this case, the soil will dry out slowly, and the damp, cold environment will lead to rotting of the roots, which will rise higher up the stem. Therefore, in winter, water your succulent about once a month – or even less often. A stand or insulation under the pot is a must!
Important: if the roots are soft and smell unpleasant, you will have to remove the succulent, cut out the rot, replant it in dry soil and leave it without water for the whole week.
Mistake #3: Improper pruning and subsequent care
If you cut off the elongated crown and put the plant in a poorly lit place, then you will no longer see the shoots. If you don’t have a sunny place at home, place the succulent under a phytolamp.
After pruning, it is important to reduce watering, because if the stump has almost no leaves, then the moisture evaporates much longer. If you water as usual, the roots will suffocate and rot, followed by the stem.
Important: do not cut the stem too low, almost at the ground – dormant buds may disappear altogether and the succulent will die.
