Hi, new to succulents and created this planting about 2 weeks ago. The seem to be doing OK except for the yellow one which, although the seems to be new growth at the center, is turning brown and dry at the edges. Too much or too little H2O?


thanks,

Rob

They look fine. The yellow one is a variegated Aeonium 'Kiwi', so it is naturally yellow.

The biggest problem growing community pots is compatibility between the members. You may discover you have some compatibility issues as Aeoniums are winter growers so require more water in winter while all the rest of your plants are summer growers so require more water in summer.

I'm not sure about light compatibility but I do have my Aeoniums in more sun than my Echeverias and Anacampseros.

If they are indoor plants, they will all enjoy the most natural light you can provide, like right in front of your sunniest southerly facing windowsill. I think they should be fine for a while. They should all enjoy the same watering, ideally timed for when the soil goes dry at depth. The Aeonium looks a little beat up (especially for this time of year) but nothing to be alarmed about. One would expect a fair amount of transplant shock if they were moved two weeks ago.

My overall message would be one of patience. Two weeks is no time at all in the life of a succulent, and the kind of changes you would see from overwatering or underwatering typically take a while to become evident.

At this point it's best to concentrate on strong light and discipline with the watering can. Water well, to saturation, and then be patient and wait however long it takes for the soil to go dry at depth, not just at the surface. That interval might be a month or it might be a week. Wait too long, and the soil sits there bone dry and the succulents start to burn through water reserves. Don't wait long enough, and the soil never has a chance to dry out at the bottom, and the risk of rot goes way up.

@Tarev has a great suggestion of sticking a toothpick or stick to determine if the bottom of the pots are still wet. So I have toothpick for the small pots and bamboo sticks or orchid sticks for the deep pots. (This weekend, each pot will have their own individual bamboo sticks so I do not cross contaminate diseases.)

I am usually lazy in watering my plants except when they are in bloom. I can't seem to keep my watering can away from my desert roses and succulents. Now I have something that stops me and when I'm doubt I just wait a day or so longer.

Thanks for all the help, I was concerned about the yellow Kiwi edges turning brown but it's hopefully transplant shock. The are in full sunlight for about 6 hours a day and partial before and after. The soil mix is pretty gritty and does seem to dry out down to the bottom weekly.
I'll keep an eye out, thank you.

GigiPlumeria said: Tarev has a great suggestion of sticking a toothpick or stick to determine if the bottom of the pots are still wet.

That idea has been used for years on all sorts of plants, including orchids. I have a friend (a professional orchid grower) who leaves the bamboo skewers in the pots, pulling them out to check moisture then pushing them back in.

Once you get to know your plants you won't need the skewer but its very handy for new plants and more reliable than a moisture meter.