How to keep succulents alive during Arizona summer?
by
Martha
+4
I have a few pots of succulents as shown in the photos. I am a snowbird and leave for the north in April and return in October. I have an irrigation system and am willing to put a separate drip system for these plants. I assume I need to repot the succulents that are in very small pots into a large pot and run the drip there. Should the plants be in shade? How often to water? Should they be under the patio overhang where it is shady all the time? Will they be able to take the Arizona heat or is it a lost cause? I am in Tucson.
Would hate to lose the ponytail palm.
Why not hire someone to water them while you are gone? Seems like that would be the simplest solution. When I lived in Texas I put shade cloth spanning some 2x4's to provide indirect light in the hot afternoons. That and daily misting kept my bromliads looking good.
You need to experiment. First put all of the small plants into one large pot. Run a strip of cloth from a large container of water and then put the end into the large pot just below the surface. Always keep these plants in the shade when in extremely hot weather approaches as it is in Arizona. Your drip system should work also providing you do not have any problems with leaving the water on. Maybe you could get a neighbour to check every two weeks to see how things are going, just in case your present drip system creates a leak.
If your neighbors have succulents, ask them about the scheduling.
Your succulents should actually LOVE the climate during the summer! I agree to hire someone to check your house, plumbing and water the plants. That's what most snowbirds do here in FLaDuh. 😎
I have someone who will check on the drip system every couple of weeks. But still unsure how to set up the system.
As succulents are plants that are natural to the desert climate, they are very efficient at retaining water. If you have separate drip hoses set up going to the plants, there is always the chance that they may crack or melt in the hot sun, or become dislodged by the wind or animals (is your yard completely fenced in?)
I would say that unless these particular plants are very valuable to you, then do not go to the work or expense to transplant them and to have them on a drip system. Besides, then you will have to keep your water on, which is not a good idea. Always shut off the main water line to your home when you are away.
It will prevent any possible floods from pipes or connections bursting.
If the plants are going to stay unexposed to the rain, then the most reasonable answer is to get a neighbor to give them a drink every couple of weeks or so.
Well, I solved it by hiring someone to take care of all the plants, including the potted ones.