Why is my sad succulent dying?

by Lou
(Hoboken, NJ, USA)

Sad

Hi Jacki

Please see attached photos.. this is exposed to a grow light from sunrise to sunset but it seems to be dying

Any advice?

Thanks

Lou

Comments for Why is my sad succulent dying?

Click here to add your own comments

Apr 09, 2021

So tiny
by: Jacki Cammidge, Certified Horticulturist

Hi Lou, sorry, your pictures are too small for me to see much detail, so I'm not even sure what this plant is, or what it should look like.

Is it some kind of Cryptanthus?

If so, these do seem to look like this periodically, and it's due to lack of water. Can you give me more details? Things like, how far away from the light it is, and what kind of light you're using, how often you water it, and so on.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Ask the Horticulturist.

Why is my sad succulent dying? Part II

by Lou
(Hoboken, NJ, USA)

Hi Jacki,

I am not sure what type of plant it is. I have attached close up photos.

It just get grow light light it is about 12 feet from the grow light.. my grow light is powerful.

I water it once every 2 weeks.

Thanks

Lou

Comments for Why is my sad succulent dying? Part II

Click here to add your own comments

Apr 09, 2021

Ah
by: Jacki

Okay, here's part of the problem. The plants leaves need to be within an inch (or a few centimeters) of the grow lights, if they're fluorescent. Other types of lights don't require them to be that close, because of the heat. You did send a picture of some fluorescent lights, so that's what I'm assuming.

The stem of the plant resembles Echeveria, but if that's what it is, it's almost dead. Those leaves are really dessicated, and there is little chance that it's going to recover.

What I would do, if you feel brave, is to cut off all the dead leaves, give it a lot more light (preferably natural light), and see if it will re-grow.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Ask the Horticulturist.

Sad Succulent with a haircut

by Lou
(Hoboken, NJ, USA)

Hi Jacki,

I did what you recommended.. photos below.. how often should I water it...

also my grow lights are like the ones they use on the ISS so they have been pretty good (not as good as natural sun light of course)

Thanks

Lou

Comments for Sad Succulent with a haircut

Click here to add your own comments

Apr 10, 2021

International Space Station?
by: Jacki

Seriously? I don't know anything about the lights they use on there.

With no leaves, your plant won't need much water. Spray it on the surface of the soil, not the plant itself. Until you see growth, then you can water it gradually more. I can't tell you an exact amount and frequency, because that depends on the size of the pot, the type of soil, the humidity of your air etc etc.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Ask the Horticulturist.