About Succuland / Ryan
My name is Ryan and I have been a “plant dad” for about a decade. Succulents and palm trees are my favourite. In 2016 I bought a small apartment with a very hot south facing balcony. Flowers were wilting and potted plants were struggling in the summer heat. I became interested in heat and drought tolerant plants and got a few succulents. Soon I started propagating and had more than I knew what to do with, and a new passion was born. My parents very generously had a greenhouse installed in their backyard for my new hobby to grow in. I have learned a lot since then.
Over the years I have made every mistake imaginable and dealt with every plant pest under the sun. I have killed dozens of succulents (if not more), but through all of this I have gained expertise and learned from my mistakes. Don’t feel bad if you kill a plant, it happens to all of us and is part of the learning process! I am now a professional succulent grower and one of my life goals is to become a master of growing these amazing plants. I also love the creative side of plants; creating succulent gardens and arrangements with an artistic eye. In late 2021 I started selling locally on Facebook marketplace. After selling over 2000 plants I created Succuland in the spring of 2024, and now sell Canada-wide. I propagate and grow everything I sell.
- I grow almost exclusively 2.5″ pot plants, to make the best use of my limited grow space, with a recent focus on more rare/uncommon varieties.
- I grow using grow lights, greenhouse and outdoor conditions.
- I grow my plants “hard,” as opposed to “soft.” Growing plants “hard” means growing without excessive water or fertilizer; more similar to their native environments. This produces plants that are a little smaller but tougher and more resistant to disease/dying. Growing plants “hard” takes longer but gives a superior product, in my opinion. I do fertilize, but very lightly and not too frequently. Growing succulents with a certain degree of stress also helps bring out their colour.
- Large greenhouse growers in Canada usually grow their succulents and cacti “soft,” using more water, nutrients (fertilizer), and richer soil than the plants’ native environment. A little fertilizer is fine, but an excess of water/nutrients forces too much growth and weakens plant cells. During production, pests/disease can be controlled with chemicals. The end result is a plant that is larger and has grown faster, making the grower more profit.
- The problem with this mass-produced approach is that the plants are weaker. They are more vulnerable to disease and dying, especially when they leave the greenhouse environment and enter the retail/home setting. I don’t like the “soft” look; as an experienced succulent grower the plants I see in stores or nurseries often look unnaturally large. They don’t grow like that in their native environment. They’re often leggy and “floppy” rather than compact, rigid and robust.
- My approach is different: grow the plants “hard” to make them resilient, and provide education to customers on how to keep them alive and healthy.
- Pests/disease: I rely mainly on good cultural practices to prevent problems (air flow, sterilized tools, proper nutrition and soil, beneficial microorganisms, regular inspection and quarantine protocols). If a pest or disease occurs I quarantine the plant and either discard it or treat it, often with 50% isopropyl alcohol. If necessary, I will occasionally use insecticide, fungicide or bactericide to eradicate the issue (I have a BC pesticide applicator’s license).
Soil
My growing medium is a blend of Pro-Mix HP and pumice. The ratio of organic (peat) to inorganic (perlite/pumice) ranges from 60/40 to 20/80 depending on the variety. I also use beneficial microbes (mycorrhizae, bacillus bacteria) to enhance soil and plant health.
Nutrition
I fertilize lightly with Dyna-Gro 7-7-7 plus micros, every 6 weeks. Unfortunately this product has been discontinued. I also occasionally supplement with kelp extract and Grotek Gro-Silic silica for enhanced plant vigour.
Light
Of course, I always give my plants optimal light for growth. This can be from grow lights, filtered sunlight, or full sunlight, depending on the species and time of year. Always remember, light is the key!
