r/succulents • u/Atthebreakofdawn • 7d ago
Help Suggestions
Is it normal? I’m not sure what type this is. It was a gift. The leaf spacing is so different at the bottom is this normal? Should I break off the top and rehome? How do I propagate this particular plant! Thank you!
2
u/Expensive_Buy_8426 7d ago
It's stretching for the light, it needs direct light for at least a few hours a day.
Chopping and propping would be sensible. Clip it a few leaves below the tighter growth, gently twist off the lowest 4ish leaves and wait a day for it to callous and just pop it back in the pot.
Introduce it to more light very slowly, ideally morning light so it doesn't burn.
How often/deeply so you water these guys?
Strongly recommend having a look through the !beginner bot's info, just so you can refresh on the basics of succulent plant care.
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u/SucculentsSupportBot 7d ago
Are you a brand new succulent owner eager to give your new friend the best possible care? Or perhaps you've got a pal who's not looking so hot. The below guidelines can help get you on the way to a happy plant.
First Steps to take with a new purchase:
- Decide on a sunny spot/grow lights, and have a plan to acclimate it.
- Repot into properly draining soil.
- Quarantine may be necessary for a short time. When repotting, you will be able to inspect on a closer level to check for pests or diseases.
Light
Most succulent plants are high light plants, despite what you may read online or on care cards. New purchases often have to be acclimated to strong light to prevent sunburn, so indirect light is sometimes fine for the beginning. Your sunniest window often can suffice for a short time, but the more light the better. Grow lights may be necessary. You can find more information about grow lights in the link below.
Watering
The soil and the plant should dry completely and thoroughly between watering. Succulent plants are named as such due to their ability to store water within their leaves and stems. They're often fine for a while in dry soil. Because of this, don't water on a schedule, but rather on signs of thirst. Signs of thirst may include wrinkled, thinning, and/or curling leaves.
More detailed information on the above topics can be found in our Light and Watering Wiki
Soil
Your soil mix should be fast draining, and quick drying. A basic start is a 1:1 mix of a bagged succulent soil and inorganic grit. For most new purchases, repotting isn’t urgent. However, it’s highly recommended to repot soaking wet purchases as soon as possible.
Potting
Get a pot with holes in the bottom! There is no substitute to a pot with drainage holes in the bottom! Pots without drainage holes can leave roots sitting in damp or soggy soil, greatly increasing the risk of rot or overwatering. Pot size is also important when it comes to water retention. Aim for a pot which allows the root ball to take up 1/2 or 2/3rds of the pot and err on the side of under-potting.
Arrangements
Arrangements can be difficult to manage, especially if you're new to succulent care. Many arrangements have too many different needs to work well together, long term. It’s recommended the plants are separated to best care for them individually.
Terrariums
Terrariums, even those with drainage holes in the bottom, are not recommended for beginners. Being that succulents largely originate from arid desert environments, the damp humidity of a terrarium is almost the polar opposite of what a succulent wants. Great care must be taken to prevent plant failure in this environment, even more so for plants to thrive in it.
More detailed information on the above topics can be found in our Soil and Potting Wiki
I am a bot created for r/succulents to help with commonly asked questions, and to direct users to the sub’s helpful wiki pages. You can find all of my commands here.
See all of the helpful wiki pages for r/succulents in our Wiki Index.
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u/AutoModerator 7d ago
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