Hi Steemit! :) All the succulents on the shelves of our stores are not of local origin, most of them come from Holland. In thematic groups or on forums, you can find reviews that the Dutch do not survive and it is not worth buying them. I think the point here is not at all in the origin. The long road from a cozy greenhouse to store shelves is a huge stress for plants. The path to the store is quite winding, including border crossing, overexposure in warehouses, logistics centers, and only then plants are distributed to shops. The whole journey can take several weeks in conditions of crowding, stuffiness and darkness.
But arriving at the store does not brighten up the life of succulents. Shopping centers greet plants with the absence of windows, that is, natural light, fresh air, cramped shelves, eternal dampness and a depressing appearance of “corpses” of previously arrived plants. That is, still fresh plants are put on the shelves, but those who stayed in the store are standing nearby, perhaps for months. Spores of fungi and molds quickly spread to newly arrived plants, let alone ordinary pests. Further, the instructions of the sellers go according to which all plants should be watered. I myself saw how an experienced employee taught a beginner "these are succulents, they generally do not like water, but they must be watered every day." Watering is the same for all plants, from above from a hose. It turns out those succulents who buy faster survive.
What to do about it?
Option 1. Follow updates in stores, buy only fresh succulents. You can easily distinguish them in appearance. Do not be afraid of imported succulents, often among them you can find interesting specimens. In addition, in stores, the price usually depends on the size of the pot and not on the rarity and beauty of the succulent !;)
And the second option. Do not mess with imported succulents. Purchase plants from collectors nearby. Even if the plant needs to overcome postal delivery, this path will be shorter. Succulents in private collections, not grown on an industrial scale, each plant receives attention. The probability of getting a plant affected by diseases or pests is extremely small.
Try, buy, plant and grow, you will surely succeed! And if you have questions, we will discuss in the comments .;)
