How to grow and maintain the side shoots of the succulent Oplina

How to grow Oplina

Common Oplina has single or double heads. Large groups need to be cultivated individually. If you have patience and take care of it for more than 2 years, it is very easy to grow side buds. But some Oplina are single all their lives. I think this depends on fate. So how can Oplina grow well and grow more side buds?

soil

Oplina likes loose, fertile, breathable and well-drained soil. You can choose peat soil, garden soil, and granular soil , and mix them evenly in a ratio of 6:2:2 as the culture soil. Or you can go to the market to buy special nutrient soil for growing succulents.

illumination

Oplina likes sunlight, but cannot accept strong direct sunlight . It can be exposed to sunlight in spring and autumn, and it is guaranteed to receive 6-8 hours of sunlight every day. Lack of sunlight will slow the growth of the plant.

When the temperature is high in summer, it is best to move it to a semi-shaded place for maintenance or shade it by 70%. When the temperature is cold in winter, it can be moved outdoors to receive sunlight at noon.

Moisture

Oplina is drought-tolerant, afraid of waterlogging, and avoids waterlogging . In spring and autumn, you can water it every 4-5 days, or wait until the soil is completely dry before watering.

In summer and winter, water should be controlled appropriately, and water only when the soil is dry, and do not water until it is not dry. Generally, when watering too much, move it to a well-ventilated place to speed up the evaporation of water.

temperature

The most suitable temperature for Oplina to grow is 10-25℃ . If the temperature exceeds 35℃, the growth of the plant will be restricted. You can use a watering can to spray water on the leaves and surrounding areas of the plant to cool it down.

When the temperature is below 5℃ in winter, the plant grows slowly and enters a dormant period. At this time, it should be moved to a warm place indoors for maintenance to avoid frostbite .

Fertilization

Oplina has strong vitality and has no special requirements for fertility. When breeding, we can fertilize once every 20-30 days during the growing season , using thin fertilizer water and applying thin fertilizer frequently.

Oplina succulent care precautions

1. Ventilation

Keeping the plants in good ventilation conditions is conducive to the healthy growth of the plants and can also remove possible pathogens and pests.

2. Protect leaves from white powder

The surface of the leaves of Oplina is protected by a layer of white powder. This layer of white powder has three functions: sun protection, antifreeze, and insect protection . Once this layer of white powder is damaged, it is irreversible. Do not touch the leaves with your hands during daily maintenance, and do not water the leaves when watering. If you have time on rainy days, it is best to cover the rain.

3. Watering principles

When watering daily, it is better to have drought than flooding. A few days of drought is fine, but one day of flooding can easily cause problems, especially in summer.