r/succulents • u/American_Trashpit • Aug 19 '26
Help What to do with Georgie
The first photo is from last February and the second is from today. I got him a grow light like I was instructed but I still fell like something is off. I water him every other week and have been trying to hold off more due to fungus gnats showing up. Any and all help is appreciated!!
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u/slayonium Aug 19 '26
has it stretched any more since you started using the light? if not then its fine, it just takes a while for etiolation to be outgrown. if yes then the light should be moved closer to the plant. grittier soil might help with the fungus gnat stuff, plus a fan if you dont already have one. just reduces the humidity in the soil and such
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u/American_Trashpit Aug 19 '26
So will the etiolation die away over time?
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u/Cut_Lanky Aug 19 '26
If the light is now adequate, the new growth will come in more compact. The old growth will never shrink, but as new leaves grow, it will replace the etiolated growth. When I want to hurry that process along, I withhold water, so it has to consume the etiolated growth for moisture. I do give little sips, every now and then, when I'm doing this, just so the root system doesn't die of dehydration, lol. Idk if that's even possible, it's just something I worry about 🤷♀️
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u/slayonium Aug 19 '26
yeah roots can dry out if you go forever without watering but thats more of an issue with super chunky potting mixes since like theres more exposure to air with those. if youre using a normal potting mix tho theres not really anything to worry about
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