How To Get Succulents To Bloom
A happy and healthy plant will have a greater chance at blooming than a struggling one so it is important to provide the proper growing environment for the plant to grow and thrive. Succulents and cacti need adequate sunlight in order to bloom. Provide at least 5-6 hours of sunlight a day to keep the plants happy.
Provide the plant with a well draining soil. Succulents do not like to sit in wet soil so it is important to provide the proper soil medium to keep them happy. A cactus mix combined with perlite is a good way to start.
Combine the two materials in a 2:1 (cactus mix:perlite) solution. You may also add coarse sand to the mixture to provide more drainage. Find out more about soil and soil amendments in this post Bud Fertilizers for Succulent Plant bursting element foliar fertilizer promoting growth, bursting buds, nutrient solution
Along with the proper soil mixture, you also need to pay attention to watering techniques. While it is important to provide adequate water, too much water can be detrimental to succulents. Allow the plant to dry in between watering. As a rule of thumb, the top inch of the soil needs to be dry before watering again
When Do Succulents Bloom?
Succulents bloom at different times of the year. Some bloom in early spring to late summer, but some can also bloom in the fall and winter months. It depends on the type of succulents you have and the environmental conditions they face.
How Do You Care For a Flowering Succulent?
You do not need to give a flowering succulent any special treatment. A flowering succulent is meeting all of its needs just as it is. Just continue to provide the same care you’ve normally been giving your plant and it will do the rest.
Some people like to supply extra nutrients to the plant to ensure that it is receiving the proper nutrients it needs for growth and to sustain the blooms. Fertilizer administered at ¼ to ½ strength every two to four weeks should be sufficient and will supply your plants the nutrients it needs. Here are some of my fertilizer recommendations.
The only time I’ve seen my succulents fail to fully bloom or achieve a full bloom is when they have been overwatered. This is when a succulent plant or a cactus starts shooting out what appears to be a bloom stalk but then fails to fully bloom. I’ve seen this on overwatered plants and plants that have stayed wet from too much rain outdoors. If you want to see your succulents bloom, particularly cacti, it is important to provide enough water but not to overwater.
