#105

LET'S PLANT!
EP 105 - Watering succulents based on SCIENCE, and busting some MYTHS!
Watering. It’s a topic that sounds simple in theory but is a cause of confusion and even stress for some. It should be a relaxing activity, think of it a bit like bonding with your plants. But it’s hard to think that way when plants die from underwatering, and more often than not, overwatering.
If you haven't seen it yet, I would suggest watching Sheilah of Succulent Fame's video on watering as a primer.
• Deep Dive: Overwaterin...
In this episode, we explore the facts surrounding succulents and watering. There's a lot of things to go through so I have it in an FAQ format.
About the myth of putting gravel at the bottom of pots to improve drainage, read this:
edmontonjournal.com/life/home...
Hopefully this will demystify a lot of confusion about the mechanics behind watering and how succulents use water. Because I believe than understanding how the underlying mechanisms work will help you make a lot of sense about why certain things happen, and how to manipulate things to your advantage.
Title and ending music:
"Open Those Bright Eyes"
Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/b...
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Website: www.cerriscapades.com
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[@consciousnessfreedomdiscip8585]

Let me tell the truth here : Succulents love water just as much as any other plant . In fact if a succulent is in dry conditions and it is using the water stored in its leaves it will have a extra slow growth during these conditions usually . The real problem is that succulents are very prone to infestations both insects and microorganisms . After watering the surrounding becomes moist . And as the soil is moist bacteria start to multiply in it . If these bacteria become too much they will rot the succulent , usually starting an infection from the root ( as it is in the soil). Therefore it is appropriate that the soil becomes less in water content for only a short period , so that this deficiency of moisture can reduce the underground bacteria , the succulent can survive due to its stored water , bacteria will not . Therefore it is important to understand that over watering is not harmful cz succulent hates water , it is harmful cz bacteria and fungi flourish in conditions that are moist for extended periods of time . If the soil is rich in organic components it is another factor that will increase bacteria factor therefore a dry out will be more necessary after some period of moisture . Observe that how long does it take for the soil to dry (From the top only)after a watering . Make sure that plant doesn’t remain wet for like to months continuous without a slight dry out (not complete dryness ,only the top layer of the soil) I live in a place where the heat is such that top layer of soil dries within a single day of watering . Plus the soil is less in organic content here . Therefore I water my succulents every day and theve been fine for years . However in the winters I might water after 4 or 5 days ,sometimes two weeks in extreme cases . Enjoy watering ur plants , it’s water not poison

[@Cerriscapades]

Yeah I agree with you that it isn't the water per se that causes problems, since as you know, when succulents get too much water they just end up holding too much until water burst out of the leaves. You can't really blame most people for associating rot with excess water because as you mentioned, water is conducive to the growth of the harmful stuff. I was discussing that point in my "pests and diseases" video.

[@mariapalmar9508]

Me encantan tus vídeos!!!! Mucho conocimiento...y yo sin entender inglés...me esforzaré para entenderte...muchas gracias por regalarnos tu conocimiento....

[@beaudeeley]

@@Cerriscapades watch the ‘Building soil health for healthy plants’ talk by Dr Elaine Ingham. It provides an incredible amount of information about soil biology that can be applied to growing succulents. It also gives clues as to the soil composition and ratio of bacteria to fungi that best suit succulents. If you have any appreciable amount of organic matter in your soil then overwatering is a potentially a huge problem as it promotes too high of a ratio of fungi to beneficial bacteria.

[@winterjade3666]

This is super helpful. I love your sense of humor too! Your videos are interesting & enjoyable to watch.

[@sonakbi]

Wetering succulents is one of the trickiest part in growing them! TFS from Korea ❤️

[@trinjedi]

Very comprehensive video! I thoroughly enjoyed it! You have inspired me to continue being mindful, but not stressed about watering. Really loved the review of evaporation and photosynthesis and their connection to watering! Thanks, Chuck!

[@zanyzana66]

After this summer, I have learnt that I need to be more conscious of the soil in the garden if I’m going to plant succulents in the ground. I’ve had so many echeveria rot with the huge number of storms and rainy days we’ve had. I’ve also learnt that I don’t get enough sun in my carport garden for most succulents.it should be a fern or tropical style gardens (if I can work out what will survive the temperatures of our winters). Gosh, so much to learn!

[@Cerriscapades]

Yeah somepeople really fuss about their soil mix and it makes you wonder about how important it is. I still think there's no one true soil mix to rule it all because it is subjective. It should take in consideration your climate, what materials are available, the type of plants, etc. So keep experimenting!

[@lindaleal809]

Chuck, another great video! You answered many questions. and have given me more confidence in caring for my plants. "caring"...yes a video about active/dormant plant care would help me since i care too much at the wrong times, it seems,; sometimes plants die as a result.

[@AussieGirl3789]

I love your channel! My hubby and I think you deserve your own gardening show on TV. Your videos are so informative and well planned. Your just brilliant. Maybe even Netflix 😁. Succulents are soooo popular right now it's crazy. I'm sure pple would welcome a show dedicated to succulent care. Like seriously my local nursery's both bunnings and flower power have been sold out on a regular basis for weeks now.

[@rowp8604]

That was a major flas back of botany class! Makes so much sense! Ty

[@telliellave8061]

This is so good to remember as I am a beginner ..Thank you, I will keep on watching very informative videos from you!

[@suzypie11]

Thanks Chuck The information was very helpful for my concerns with watering overhead. I think I need to relax a little about my concerns. I know my soil is well draining, I do wait for soil to dry out and I nearly obsessive about clearing dry leaves. So conclusion.... I’m doing just fine ... exhale 😊💕 Suz

[@jo-annsalada9192]

Very comprehensive and practical video! Thank you chuck! 👍👍👍👍👍

[@anetaes3015]

Thanks Chuck! I can always relay on your tips!👍❤️🌱

[@CC-lq3ie]

you have answered alot of my questions thanks😊 I love your sense of humour 😅😅😅

[@izabelaszydlowska3940]

Wow Chuck - this is an amazing video! I like it how you break down the science. Thank you!!!

[@Cerriscapades]

Glad you like it Iza! I have been wanting to talk about this for a while now, but I kept pushing it back because I didn't know how I want to attack the topic and make it a bit easier to understand.

[@jenniferelyse5134]

How do you feel about using stones at the bottom of a pot for plants that just refuse to put out deep roots? I've lost quite a few plants by having too much wet soil at the bottom that the roots can't reach. Is there ever an appropriate time to use them if you aren't able to garden outdoors and have limited light/ventilation?

[@ericssonerick6972]

Thanks for these wonderful info I learned a lot from you.

[@joannesferrati3076]

Brillant! Thank you!

[@johnsambiledc8046]

Thanks for simplifying this Chuck! a vey hearty info ;-)

[@Cerriscapades]

You're welcome John!

[@IAMSUPREME22]

Bro, so thorough. Very informative. Appreciate it

[@chunlingkwan3574]

Great video! Thanks!

[@BeccaL2016]

You should have a video on how to take care of your lawn! :)

[@yumeileventhal3069]

Excellent thoughts and tips!

[@alexmane8123]

Very informative video !! Thank you ! ;)

[@wingedzalera]

I'm late in the game, but digging your content Chuck! Pinoy from NYC giving uou a shout out!! Can't wait to see your more in 2022!

[@RuthiesSucculentObsession]

This is well timed information for me. I don't think I have been watering some of my plants sufficiently. I do let the water run through the bottom but the soil seems to still need water especially since we get alot of heat and sun. Thanks for sharing this great information🙂👍❤️.

[@erins.5420]

Ditto

[@jenifersendon4096]

thank you for this great info....

[@sultaansarfaraaz7093]

I liked dis video very much... very good information...

[@redredwine1277]

Thanks! Again Chuck ....... fr. Lola🌼🌸🌺

[@hadjosrs1529]

Fantastic video

[@joyceshelby8858]

Thanks Chuck for a very good video. Very interesting. So many different climates to consider, I feel it comes down to trial and error. Lol.

[@Cerriscapades]

Oh definitely. Lots of the stuff I do is trial and error haha!

[@kryptonitewhale]

Yes to a dormancy video! I keep my plants under grow lights year round and I feel like they never go dormant 🤔 , I do vary the length of time they are under the lights throughout the year but I can’t vary the temp in my apartment lol

[@Cerriscapades]

Yeah I figured it was a good topic for the next one. Glad you think so too!

[@mallusalonga9406]

i love the video... thanks a lot!!

[@newmanmansell760]

my favourite episode. you made me laugh😂👌we just had a big typhoon again in Japan😔I musw have moved half of my plant collection inside 3 times this year because we had 3 typhoons!😨I'm trying to catch up on all your great videos!🙏✨💯

[@dexterelementfighter]

Very educational! :)

[@Cerriscapades]

Glad you found it useful!

[@nataliemoore7508]

Great informative video. Annnnnd bring back the recap!!!!

[@Cerriscapades]

Haha I want to! It's a bit hard right now that the little girl is currently at the stage where she is a lot more active and is climbing everywhere so I have less time to do it right now.

[@bethsobral]

Wonderful video! Learning a lot. I have a question...how can i deal with Aeoniums and Echeverias in the same pot? Tks

[@rowp8604]

U didn’t know u were going on a rant? Lol great tips😊

[@CC-lq3ie]

yes evening my old pops says for plants too

[@ChuRonGayumali]

first time to watch your video. Liked it and subscribed also (: thank you for the info!

[@PlantitaWanderlust]

where did u bought the white thin clothing that u used to cover ur succelents?

[@memyselfandeye8377]

Wonderful

[@Cerriscapades]

Thanks!

[@rubyc.4311]

Very informative video! I like how you explain things clearly. I have a question about your shade cloth tho. Is the white better than black one? Ty

[@edmora7662]

Yes

[@ThedaBurke]

Good information. Thanks so much. When does growing season start for succulents

[@Cerriscapades]

Echeveria like it warm, Aeonium like it cold. If you search for "succulent dormancy table" on google, a lot of images will turn up showing a chart. They are based on the northern hemisphere, so pay no attention to the months. Just focus on the "winter vs summer" aspect of it.

[@romitkaithwas2107]

Pls make a dedicated video on how to root cuttings......and when to do what after taking cuttings....and also about fertilizing succulents

[@Cerriscapades]

I'll see what I can do. After summer perhaps once I start planting again.

[@romitkaithwas2107]

Cerriscapades my area get 40 centigrade in summers.... And what about there care for then

[@alexmane8123]

Subscribed !

[@diealigra8703]

Hi.. It's ok if the water hit succulents leaf?? Coz i usually avoid to hit the leaf ...

[@bobbiechinn9578]

This is awesome! I'm not the only one! Lol

[@HeyArtinker]

Thanks sa science class kuya. Haha. So far buhay lahat aking succies at cactus. Sobrang ganda ng garden mo. Kainggit. Hehe.

[@Cerriscapades]

Haha no prob. Dadami din yan!

[@Arcturial]

What is the name of the purple succulent seen at 3:24?

[@ivanporcalla]

Hi, I live in Dasmarinas, Cavite where it rains 1/3 of the year. I planted a lot of Echeverias on the ground (facing east) around my agaves before the hot season and they grew huge like supermarket cabbages, lol, but I need to prep for the rainy season. What's the best ratio of Pumice, sand, and Soil do you recommend for my environmental conditions? I want my plants to get used to the that location. Thank you in advance.

[@carolinaortega8334]

You shop is open ?

[@elisagonzalez6076]

★★★★★ Thank you to the Moon and Back!!!!

[@Cerriscapades]

You're welcome!

[@floristerhumble3753]

Would leaving plants under grow lights around the clock be detrimental to plants because they need night time or no light to perform respiration?

[@Cerriscapades]

That is actually a very intelligent question, something I wish I thought about back when I was making this video! From my understanding, CAM plants open their stomata at night not because it is dark, but because a certain level of temperature and humidity trigger it. At night, it the humidity is higher, and the temperatures are cooler, both of which will reduce the amount of water loss. They wait for these conditions. Still, it would be better if you give them a day/night cycle under your grow lights anyway. They are used to that routine, and you get to save on electricity too. www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/photosynthesis-in-plants/photorespiration--c3-c4-cam-plants/a/c3-c4-and-cam-plants-agriculture

[@Cerriscapades]

Going back to your question though, they still perform respiration in the presence of light. Respiration happens round the clock. Problem is that they won't be able to gather carbon dioxide that much if their stomata stays closed. They need carbon dioxide for photosynthesis.

[@floristerhumble3753]

Thanks. A great video. Will pass on to my garden club friends.

[@floristerhumble3753]

Here in Humble, Texas, Gulf Coast Region 8b, our high humidity all year and high temps in summer create growing conditions that make plants respire themselves to death, and not just succulents. Fortunately I have an east-facing, covered patio and a southeast facing sunroom in winter to accommodate my collection of Haworthia succulents, Dendrobium & Brassia orchids, and Bromeliads; i.e., Tillandsia. I love succulents and have grown them in northern Illinois, and southern California. Your information has helped me to finally grow Echeverias successfully here in SE Texas. I behead and move plants around almost as much as you now! Thank you

[@friedaschnell3729]

@@floristerhumble3753 I live just south of Houston and would love to hear about your success with echeverias. I was under the impression that we can't grow them here. I'm not expecting success with them like so. Cal but some success would be glorious.

[@eddieruiz8503]

Have you been able to take a vacation? If so, who takes care of your many beautiful palnts? I just recently cancelled my Hawaii vacation because I was worried about my plants drying out

[@continuousself-improvement1879]

3:27 I thought that was a painting, but why would he be spraying water on a painting? Nope. Those are plants, it's just that they are so beautiful they could be in a painting.

[@Cerriscapades]

Yeah I love tapestries too. I love it when they finally fill up the space you give them!

[@continuousself-improvement1879]

@@Cerriscapades I am a complete newbie, that for now I would be satisfied if my baby succs don't die on me. 😣

[@Cerriscapades]

That's alright for a start, you'll get the hang of it!

[@nataliemoore7508]

Also 🍍🥳

[@Cerriscapades]

PINEAPPLE!

[@theafoster2262]

Haha your funny as🤣🤣🤣

[@gelossanctuary7452]

deep soaking = lunod is real!!! :)

[@michelejones4282]

Great Vd! Thank you! One question...what is the obsession with blowing out the water in the crowns of succs! A lot of people say to blow out the water or if it stands to ling in crown or will cause rot! Huh? Is this true??? Thank you for your knowledge & time!💜

[@Cerriscapades]

Hi Michele, apologies for the delayed reply. Anyway it depends on the environment they are in. Water sitting on the crown is bad if it is constantly humid and wet, something you will get if the plants are in an area where they are not getting enough light and ventilation. If the plant is constantly wet, it is more likely that fungal spores or soil containing fungus or harmful microbes would get blown into the plant and the moisture will keep them alive (if the plant is dry, they won't flourish). However being overly obsessed with blowing out the water off the crowns is something I'm not really keen on. Because I'm the type that give my plants sunlight and ventilation, so any excess water will evaporate within a day or two. Also I prefer watering my plants from above with a hose due to the sheer number of plants I have. I don't want to spend too much time trying to get under each plant individually nor do the wicking watering method where you submerge the pot in a tub. Besides, not all of my plants are in pots, most are in the ground. The key takeaway here should be that the water should not stay too long on the crown. The area should not be constantly moist. Remove dead leaves underneath to promote the movement of air around the plant. Place the plant somewhere where it is exposed to open air so that wind can act on it. Give it a bit of sun at least so water can evaporate.

[@michelejones4282]

@@Cerriscapades AWESOME! Thank you! You totally put my mind at ease! Made perfect sense! Thank you for sharing your knowledge! 💜

[@dlogan806]

hEY WHERE ARE YOU DO YOU LIVE IN CALIFORNIA

[@mhelynz]

Are you Pinoy?? 😄 😄

[@Cerriscapades]

Opo

[@dekillord8159]

You should do a video on the difference of sedum 'little missy' and crassula 'petite Bicolor' as I do not know what to think and am trying to correctly label my plants.