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Succulent Cutting FAQ Questions and answers
The #1 Key I have found with succulents is this: Water when the soil is dry, and never water when the soil is wet!
The following are some basic questions we are often asked about our cuttings, hopefully they will answer the question/s you may have.
How long will it take to receive my plants after purchasing? We do our very best to have your order processed, packed and shipped out within 1-3 business days. Transit time then takes approximately 1- 4 days based on your location. You will be emailed a Tracking number as well—you can always look up where your plant is after ordering.
Should I water my cuttings right away? NO, I recommend not watering them for the first 2 weeks or you are risking rot! You should plant them in well draining cactus type soil, not woody houseplant soil that does the opposite by holding moisture in. Another option is just leaving them on a tray in the shade for a weeks and often many of them will begin rooting on their own. Once you begin to water, make sure you allow the soil to dry between watering, just as you should with fully rooted/potted succulents. Water when soil is dry, never water when soil is wet! This process may take up to 6-8 weeks before fully established. (see how often to water below)
How do I keep cuttings fresh for bouquets and arrangements? You may leave them in a shady –NON direct sunlight area, spread out on paper or something similar. Also avoid excessive heat. Some have had luck placing in a shallow tray for 1 hour, I would do just a few initially to see if results are positive.
How to propagate my succulents/create more cuttings? When a succulent plant begins to grow you have a couple of options. If it is a rosette/flower shaped succulent, you can often remove the lower leaves/petals and set them aside to dry for a few days in the shade to allow them to callous over. Often, these petals will also form new roots and begin growing new succulents out of them! You can leave in the shade, plant partially in the soil, or lay on top of the soil . You may also cut off the main rosette and or other rosettes and set these aside to dry for a few days days until calloused over. If you are left with just the “stump” of the original plant , this too will often create new leaves and plants that you can cut off again and also root later. This is called propagation and it’s one of the awesome benefits of succulents!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfT_jnGVN2Q Video on making cuttings!
How often should I Water my succulent cuttings? Succulents love water, but only when their soil is dry! During the winter months, you can cut back on watering but play it by appearance. If your succulent/s are looking a little wilted/thirsty, give them some water. When watering, always do it thoroughly all the way through to the bottom. Watering the top inch or less does very little good. Do not mist your cuttings either, these are not houseplants and they do not do as well in humid conditions.
What is Overwatering? Overwatered plants are soft and discolored. The leaves may be yellow or white and lose their color. A plant in this condition may be beyond repair, but you can still remove it from its pot and inspect the roots. If they are brown and rotted, cut away dead roots and allow to dry and start over!
What is Underwatering? Succulents prefer generous water (but always allow to completely dry before watering again) during the growing season (spring and summer). An underwatered plant will first stop growing, then begin to show wrinkles and shed leaves. Alternatively, the plant may develop brown spots on the leaves. It’s always a good idea to contact your local Cactus & Succulent Society/Club for specific information related to your exact area.
Should I put the cuttings in direct sunlight after they arrive? NO. Shade and being kept dry is fine until you decide to replant them or use them in other ways/wedding décor etc.
What kind of temperatures do they need/like? Succulents are much more cold-tolerant than many people assume. As in the desert, where there is often a marked contrast between night and day, succulents thrive in colder nights, down to even 40ºF. Ideally, succulents prefer daytime temperatures between 70ºF and about 85ºF and nighttime temperatures between 50ºF and 55ºF. When replanting, heat is great, but full sun will only dehydrate them more until they can begin forming roots.
It’s always a smart idea to contact your local Cactus & Succulent Society/Club for specific information related to your specific area.
It gets cold where we live, can we leave them outside during the winter? It depends where you live! And how cold it gets! Freezing temperatures can damage and or destroy your succulents. Your local Succulent & Cactus Club/Society can be extremely helpful regarding temperatures, and which succulents can handle your local weather.
It gets hot where we live, can we leave them outside all summer long? It depends where you live! And how hot it gets! Extremely hot temperatures with direct sunlight and lack of water can all damage and or destroy your succulents. A little shade can make all the difference. Direct sunlight can also effect the coloring of your succulents, making some of them brighter, redder etc. It can also fade the coloring on some. Experiment, but also consider contacting your local Succulent & Cactus Club/Society. They can be extremely helpful regarding temperatures, and which succulents can handle your local weather.
How can I find out the name/s and other information on my succulent/s? There’s a lot of great information available online regarding succulents, and you can also check out our Links at the bottom of our webpage. Your local Succulent & Cactus Club/Society also can be extremely helpful.
Can I order plants now and have them shipped later when the weather changes? Of course! We ship ALL Year long. This being said, it is still the buyers responsibility to be aware of extreme weather conditions when ordering succulents. If you are unsure, email or call us. You can also purchase heating packs which are cheap and a great investment if you need your plants in the middle of a snowstorm.
Are they good for a walkway? (Asked by our 8 year old son James) Some succulents make good plants between rocks, flagstone and other landscaping material. As an example, Sempervivums grow low to the ground, are soft, and produce pups that will fill in cracks and crevices. This being said, not too many succulents can handle direct weight from people walking on them.
When do they flower? Succulents flower at different times of the year. Some of the blooms are simple and basic, while other blooms reach high into the air attracting insects and hummingbirds!
What kind of light do they need? If in a home, Succulents prefer bright light, such as found on a south-facing window. Watch the leaves for indications that the light level is correct. Some species will scorch if suddenly exposed to direct sunlight. The leaves will turn brown or white as the plant bleaches out and the soft tissues are destroyed. Alternatively, an under lit succulent will begin to stretch, with an elongated stem and widely spaced leaves. This condition is known as etoliation. The solution is to provide better light and prune/propogate the plant back to its original shape. Many kinds of succulents will thrive outdoors in the summer. It’s good thinking to contact your local Cactus & Succulent Society/Club for specific info related to your exact area.
What kind of Potting Soils should I use? Succulents should be potted in a fast-draining mixture that’s designed for cacti and succulents. If you don’t have access to a specialized mix, considering modifying a normal potting mix with an inorganic agent like perlite to increase aeration and drainage. These plants generally have shallow roots that form a dense mat just under the soil surface. We also sell proper potting soil if that makes life easier. Also, contact your local Cactus & Succulent Society/Club for specific information related to your exact area.
Should I Fertilize my succulents? During the summer growing season, carefully fertilize as you would with other houseplants. Caution though, you can damage or destroy your succulents by feeding them improperly. Stop fertilizing entirely during the winter. Again, it’s always smart to contact your local Cactus & Succulent Society/Club for specific information related to your exact area and soil conditions.
What is a succulent? Succulents are water-retaining plants adapted to arid climates or soil conditions that store water in their leaves, stems, and or roots.
GREAT site for bouquets with succulents:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZlwqyl320M
CHECK out these sites for vertical wall tips:
www.bhg.com/gardening/container/plans-ideas/make-a-living-succulent-pict…
www.livingwallart.com/create-your-own-vertical-garden/
If you have other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us directly via email or telephone, thanks!
Cheers,
The Succulent Source
and check out our Facebook page for our latest succulent and cactus news, pics and specials
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Succulents/357750740914567
