Isn’t it true that all plants bloom? They don’t, in fact. We have plants that flower–the larger group–and ones that do not. Succulents, thankfully, do flower, albeit not all of them do so on a consistent basis. It’s because some of these plants are monocarpic, meaning they only bloom once and then “die.” It appears to be a tragic narrative, but in my opinion, what could be better than leaving at the pinnacle of your beauty?
Sempervivum and aeonium are two of the most prevalent monocarpic succulents. They will perish after their first and only bloom. You know, like you only have one night with the girl, hoping it is the first of many, when in fact it is the first and last. The good news is that monocarpic plants “generate” kids that continue to thrive after their mothers die.
Caring For Your Succulent Flowers
When you notice a flower stem on your succulents, keep aphids away from it. Aphids are drawn to succulent flowers, thus it makes sense to spray 50-70 percent alcohol or horticulture soap on the plants before aphids get attracted to the blooming succulents.
Another thing to keep in mind: when the blooms are developing, place the plant in direct sunshine, taking care not to burn the leaves and pods. If you leave it outside while it blooms, make sure it gets at least an hour of sunlight every day.
Indoor succulents can benefit from the use of a heat lamp or grow light. This is ideal for winter or rainy days, and some succulents do flower in the winter. Your succulents are affected by temperature. You must supply adequate sunlight to your succulents if you want them to flourish. Warm temperatures are required for succulents to bloom.
When Do Different Succulents Bloom?
Succulents bloom at different times depending on the season. Aloe Vera, for example, normally blooms in the summer but can bloom in other seasons if the conditions are favorable. Succulents typically bloom from late spring through early summer. The Echeverias are an example of this. In the winter and autumn, rhipsalis, kalanchoe, hoya, and jade plant bloom.
Succulents often bloom for the first time between the ages of four and six years. Some plants may bloom early, but this is more of an exception than a rule. Aside from temperature or season, age, watering, sunlight, fertilizer, and amount of water, we must also consider succulent photoperiod—the biological clock of your plant, much as we have our own “biological clock.”
Related Post: How Often Should Succulents be Watered?
Biological Clock and Pollination of Succulents
According to scientists, the biological clock is made up of an unique molecule (protein) that interacts with cells throughout the plant. Schlumbergera Cultivaras, popularly known as Holiday Cacti, requires long nights and short days.
Insects should pollinate succulents as they bloom. Wild pollinators such as insects and butterflies aid in the pollination of succulents and plants, which is another way for succulent species to survive. Some succulents are unable to self-pollinate. Cross-pollination is the only way to produce more succulents.
Soil Is One Of The Best Factors
Varied soils have different qualities that can be beneficial or detrimental to a particular plant family. The ideal succulent potting soil is one with some drainage. It allows water to flow constantly and absorb soil particles, allowing the plant to benefit from these nutrients via the roots system.
You can save money by making your own succulent soil. Also, the materials or components are easy to come by–unless you reside in a huge city when all you can find is pavement and garbage. Essentially, three ingredients are required:
Potting soil, coarse sand (turface or poultry grit), perlite, or pumice are all options.
It is not recommended to use vermiculite or any other type of moisture control potting mix. Your succulent soil will retain too much moisture, which is detrimental to the plants and will prevent them from flowering. Garden soil is also not recommended.
The second element is coarse sand. Except for the very fine sand, you can use any type of sand. Perlite, on the other hand, is made up of relatively light organic soil. It appears to be little styrofoam fragments. Simply add all of the ingredients to your mixing container and whisk them together. Then combine all of the ingredients. And there you have it: you already have DIY succulent soil–one in which your plants can thrive and finally bloom when the time comes.
Can You Plant Succulent Flowers?
No. Succulent flowers do not develop into new succulent plants. The seeds contained in the blooms are what can sprout into new flowers. The flowers must be pollinated, either by pollinators or by self-pollination, in order to generate seeds that can be grown into new plants.
To generate new plants, these seeds must be gathered, germinated, and planted. Planting the flowers alone will not result in reproduction.
Instead of growing succulent flowers, you can propagate succulent branches and leaves. Most succulents are easily propagated by leaf and stem cuttings. It is simple to increase the size of your succulent collection through propagation.
Related Post: Where And How To Plant Succulents?
Should You Cut The Flowers Off Succulents?
Succulents require a specific amount of energy to bloom and retain their bloom. Some individuals dislike the blooms that succulents produce and choose to chop off the bloom stalks in order to redirect the energy back to the plant so that it may spend its energy on growing. I enjoy seeing blossoms on my succulents, no matter how small or inconspicuous they appear.
Flowers of all kinds are gorgeous and astonishing to me. Some flowers are modest and understated, while others are stunning. Others have a pleasant odor, while others have a horrible odor. I welcome and adore each and every one of them.
When to take off the bloom stalks is entirely up to you. Before I cut the flowers off, I normally wait until the plant has finished blooming and the flowers have dried up. Some people prefer to remove them before they become unappealing.
What To Do After Succulents Bloom?
Depending on the variety of succulent plants, the flowers might last for weeks or even months until they close and dry up. You can leave the bloom stalks alone, but they will begin to look unappealing as they dry out. Once the plant has finished blooming, remove the bloom stalks.
Cut the bloom stalks off as near to the plant as possible without injuring the leaves with sharp pruning shears or scissors. After you remove the flower stalks, you can continue to care for your plant as usual. When a succulent plant blooms for the first time, it will normally continue to bloom at the same time the following year.
Conclusion
While getting succulents to flower is not a top priority while cultivating succulents, it is a delight to witness a cheerful bloom from one of your succulent plants. Continue your efforts and make your plants as happy as possible, and you will be rewarded with blossoms one of these days if you keep up your good work.
