1Pot & Soil Selection: Ventilation & Drainage Are Key

Prioritize terracotta or rough ceramic pots with drainage holes, 1-2cm smaller in diameter than the canopy – avoid oversized pots to prevent waterlogging.

For tall old stems with high center of gravity, choose slightly heavier pots to prevent tipping over.

Soil formula: Granular soil (akadama + maifan stone + lava rock) + nutrient soil = 7:3, or use succulent old stem special soil mixed with a small amount of slow-release fertilizer (buried at the bottom, away from roots). Ensure soil is loose, breathable, and non-compacted for drainage and root respiration.

2Light Requirements: Sufficient Light for Pink Color

Need sufficient light in spring, autumn, and winter – 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily (south-facing balcony/windowsill is best). The more sufficient the light, the pinker the leaves and more compact the plant shape.

Summer shade: Provide 50% shade when temperature exceeds 32℃ (use sunshade net or move to scattered light area) to avoid leaf scorching, yellowing, and rotting.

Insufficient light causes elongated leaves, green color, and leggy stems – supplement light in time with succulent grow lights (4-5 hours daily).

3Watering Principles: Better Dry Than Wet, Avoid Waterlogging

Strictly follow "Water only when dry, water thoroughly when watering" – water only when soil is completely dry (test with a toothpick: no moisture when pulled out) or leaves are slightly wilted.

Spring & Autumn: Water every 10-15 days during the growing season, pour slowly along the pot edge for full soil absorption. Avoid splashing water on leaves (prevent bloom loss and leaf rot).

Summer watering: Reduce water during semi-dormancy – water "survival water" every 20-30 days (a small amount along the pot edge to keep soil slightly moist) to avoid root rot from high temperature and humidity.

Winter watering: Control water when temperature is below 5℃ – water every 30-40 days or stop watering completely, keep soil dry to prevent root freezing.

4Temperature Adaptation: Avoid Extreme Temperatures

Optimal growth temperature: 15-28℃ – leaves are plump, growth is steady, and color is pink in this range.

Winter protection: Move indoors to a warm place when temperature is below 5℃, away from cold drafts, maintain temperature ≥5℃ to avoid leaf and stem freezing.

Summer cooling: Move to a well-ventilated shaded area when temperature exceeds 35℃, enhance air circulation (use a small fan if needed) to avoid leaf rot from stuffiness.

5Fertilization: Thin Fertilizer Applied Frequently

Fertilize only in spring and autumn growing seasons – stop fertilizing in summer and winter dormancy periods to avoid fertilizer burn.

Fertilizer selection: Use succulent-specific slow-release fertilizer (buried once during growing season, valid for 3-6 months) or diluted succulent liquid fertilizer (1/4 of the recommended concentration).

Fertilization frequency: Apply liquid fertilizer once a month along the pot edge, avoiding direct contact with roots and leaves. Supplement slow-release fertilizer every 3 months, adjust dosage according to plant size (1-2 grams).

6Pruning & Shaping: Maintain Old Stem Beauty

Prune best in spring and autumn growing seasons – promptly trim dry leaves and weak side branches to avoid nutrient consumption.

Shaping method: For compact shape, ensure sufficient light + water control to avoid leggy growth. If stems are too long, cut the top in spring to promote side shoot growth and form clumping old stems.

Dry leaf cleaning: Regularly remove dry leaves at the bottom of stems for beauty and ventilation, preventing bacteria growth from accumulated dry leaves.

7Repotting & Propagation

Repot every 1-2 years, best in spring (March-April). Gently tap the pot wall to remove the plant, shake off some old soil, trim rotten and dry roots, and air-dry for 1-2 days before repotting.

Propagation method: Old stems are suitable for cutting propagation. In spring, cut healthy side branches (with 2-3 leaves), remove lower leaves, air-dry the cut for 3-5 days, insert into moist granular soil, maintain temperature at 20-25℃, and roots will form in 2-3 weeks.

8Pest & Disease Control

Common diseases: Black rot and root rot (mostly caused by waterlogging and poor ventilation). At the initial stage, remove the plant from the pot, cut off rotten parts, disinfect the cut with carbendazim solution, repot with new soil, and strengthen ventilation and water control later.

Common pests: Scale insects and root mealybugs. For scale insects, wipe leaves and stems with alcohol-soaked cotton. For root mealybugs, remove the plant to clean roots, soak roots in diluted insecticide for 10 minutes, air-dry, and repot.