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Succulent help!

Megan-smithMegan-smith Posts: 6
in Plants
Hello all, 

I'm quite new to looking after plants, I got this one from next a few months ago and I'm not quite sure where I'm going wrong. 

The leaves started dying off from the roots up although there does seem to be new growth coming up from the roots too... Any help would be appreciated! 

Thanks! 

Posts

  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    Is it too dry? How much have you been watering it?  Have you moved it into the kitchen for the photo or does it always sit there? Could be a combination of not enough light and kept too dry...…… 
    But on the other hand, check that the pot it is in has drainage holes at the bottom and that it is not permanently sitting in a pool of water at the bottom of the elephant.....

    Still needs good light though so best at a windowsill. 
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • Megan-smithMegan-smith Posts: 6
    Thanks for the reply! 

    I water it every week or 2 and make sure its not sitting in water afterwards. Over summer it was in my lounge where it wasn't getting much light but I've moved it to the kitchen window which is south facing to try to give it more sun over the last month (I had to move it to get a decent photo). 

    I'll try watering more often and see if that helps? I was worried I was overwatering! 
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    I was told by a cactus/succulent grower, treat them mean to keep them keen. Mine are now down to monthly watering for over the winter period.  I would be suspicious of over watering myself , better to mist than water as they take up from the leaves too. Also ( I know it sounds opposite to the first response) they could have been in too dry an air in the living room. Best place for over winter is a bathroom windowsill.  Warm moist air and little watering. If you cut off any bits put them on one side for at least 3 days to a week then plant them in gritty soil, if they are alive they will root in about two weeks. Best of luck.
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    I've found that most succulents I've bought from chain shops do badly due to the soil they're in. I think the soil is often designed for commercial growing systems and to keep the plant alive until it's sold. I generally take cuttings as soon as I've bought a plant and get them into better soil as a backup.

    You can tell a lot about whether a succulent needs watering just by looking at the leaves. If they're showing signs of shrivelling or drooping then it's a good sign they need a water. Some succulents will be actively growing in the winter months and need more water than those that are dormant so find out what you have and get the specific care guide.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • AndyDeanAndyDean Posts: 157
    I don't grow any succulents particularly like yours, but I do have lots of other varieties which seem happy with my care routine:

    Grow in very free draining compost - mine is a mix of lots of grit, sandy garden soil and a little multi-purpose compost.

    Layer of grit on top. This protects the base of the stems from sitting in wet soil, as they're vulnerable to rot.

    Let the soil dry out more or less completely before watering. When watering, give a really good soak then let drain away completely before putting back in decorative pot. I err on the side of underwatering, especially in winter. Although as @wild edges says, if it is growing now it may need more water - I don't have any that are growing much now, although the ones that are seem happy with this watering regime.

    Bright spot, but not a south-facing windowsill in the middle of summer - this made mine sulk a lot until I moved them!

    I have lost a crassula mucosa which shrivelled from the base due to being too bright, and a string of pearls which rotted from the base due to overwatering, but from your pictures that doesn't look to be happening with yours. You could try taking some cuttings with the older growth, and letting it grow back from the crown. Because there is new growth, I'd be hopeful about its ability to recover. It could just be that it's had a shock with the change of conditions coming into your house, and new growth will be better adapted.

    Good luck!
  • PhaidraPhaidra Posts: 582
    I simply keep mine on the sunniest windowsill i have and water when completely dry.
  • PhaidraPhaidra Posts: 582
    I keep mine by a sunny window and water when absolutely dry.
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