How to care for cacti and other succulents in fall and winter?

With the arrival of cold, succulent plants begin to grow less and less. The most delicate ones, such as the Adenium or the Pachypodium, stop almost completely, and dedicate their energy only to staying alive. For this reason, the care that we give them from now on must be different from what we gave them in summer.

And it is that if we did not do it, the risk that they would rot would be very, very high. In fact, it is usual that it is precisely at this time when they are most vulnerable to excess water and humidity, since it is usually when it rains the most. So that, Let's see how to care for cacti and other succulents during the fall and winter.

Water only when the soil is dry

Excess water is very dangerous throughout the year, but more so in autumn and winter since Several factors come together that make succulents very vulnerable to rot, which are:

• Low temperatures
• Slower or no growth
• showers
• And if you live on an island or not far from the sea, the humidity is higher.

To this must be added that, if the substrate or soil does not drain the water well, the roots can easily die, more if we have them in a pot with a plate under it.

For this reason, it is important that you only water when the soil is dry. To know for sure we can use a humidity meter which, when introduced into it, will indicate if it is still wet or if, on the contrary, it is dry. What's more, It should only be done if there is no risk of frost.

Anyway, We will be able to minimize the risk of rotting if, in addition, we plant them in soil for high-quality succulentsas this, or if we mix peat with perlite in equal parts.

Stop paying

Since cacti and succulents rarely grow at all in fall and winter, they do not need an extra supply of nutrients. I would even dare to say that it is counterproductive to pay them in those seasons, since to grow it is inevitable to waste energy, and that can weaken them in case the temperature drops sharply.

What could be interesting, if they are abroad, is to add biostimulant (such as this) from late summer until the arrival of the first colds. With this, it would be possible to increase -a little- its resistance to low temperatures. Of course, you have to take the dose indicated on the container, neither more nor less, since otherwise the roots would suffer damage.

Do emergency transplants in protected sites

An emergency transplant is one that is done in an attempt to save the plant. It is usually because it has received much more water than it needs, although it could also be because it has a plague that could have reached the roots. This, unlike the transplant by change of pot, it is done at any time of the year; although it is advisable to do it also when temperatures are mild, in spring.

And it is that when it is done in autumn or winter It is very important that you take the succulent and everything that we will need to transplant it in a place protected from the cold and wind.. Then, you have to remove it from the pot to see how its roots are. If the soil is very humid, it will be wrapped with absorbent paper, and it will be left that way until the next day; and if we suspect that it has pests, we will proceed to clean them with warm water.

Bring your succulents home if there is frost

It is not a good time to have succulents in water or exposed to ice or snow. Yes OK there are many cacti and succulents that endure the cold and, also, frost, most of the varieties that are grown are sensitive to low temperatures. Because, If in doubt, it is best to take the plants indoors or in a greenhouse..

And it is that both hail and snow can do a lot of damage to the most delicate species, so it is worth taking measures so that they can survive the cold. But beware at home they must be kept in a room where there is a lot of light, and where they are away from the air conditioning.

Do not remove the dry leaves from the succulents in your garden

I know, they can make plants look ugly, but they serve as a bit of windbreaker and protect healthy stems and leaves from frost. Hence, I do not advise removing them until the weather improves. Believe me, it is better to be patient and wait, to remove them and leave them more exposed to low temperatures.

I myself have one Euphorbia grantii 'Rubra', and every winter the leaves that are less protected dry and die as you can see in these images:

It is a pity, because it is a plant that grows a lot and very well in spring and summer, but If you remove those dry leaves, you will surely lose many branches.

Beware of snails and mushrooms

The snails eat the cacti and succulents that we have in the patio or garden, especially if they are small. Because, we have to be vigilant during the rainy season, it is when they are most active. Using repellants will be very helpful, since it will prevent them from being hurt.

And with excess water you also have to be careful, since it favors the appearance of fungi, regardless of whether the plants are outside or inside the house. Irrigation must be controlled, and cacti and succulents must be protected from the rain if it is expected to rain for several days in a row. If they start to become mushy, or become covered with gray or whitish mold, they should be treated with fungicides that contain copper.

With these tips we hope that your succulents can better survive fall and winter.