About Succuland / Ryan
My name is Ryan and I am the sole owner/operator of Succuland. I have been a “plant dad” for about a decade and 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, as I have limited space, approximately 1500-2000 plants at a time. I grow using grow lights, greenhouse and outdoor conditions.
- I grow my plants “hard,” as opposed to “soft.” This means growing without excessive water or fertilizer; more similar to natural habitat. This produces plants that are a little smaller but more resilient. It takes longer but gives a superior product. I do fertilize, but in a way that supplies all essential nutrients in a gentle, supportive potency. I also grow my plants with a certain degree of stress to help bring out their colour.
- Large greenhouse growers in Canada usually grow succulents “soft,” using more water, fertilizer, peat-heavy soils, and growth stimulants. Too much growth too fast can weaken plant cells. The end result is a larger plant that has grown faster (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. I don’t like the “soft” look; as an experienced grower, the plants I see in stores or nurseries often look unnaturally large. They’re frequently leggy and “floppy” rather than compact and robust.
- My approach is different: grow the healthiest, most resilient plants possible, and provide education to customers.
- After dealing with some pests in my earlier years, the cleanliness of my grow stock is now maintained to a meticulous degree through regular, skilled inspections and thorough treatment protocols. All new inbound plants are quarantined and bio-sanitized. Any plants that show a problem are immediately discarded or quarantined & treated to prevent spread. Like any good grower, I rely on best practices to prevent most issues- proper air flow, sterilized tools, optimal nutrition and soil, beneficial microorganisms, and rigorous inspection. These days, problems are rare.
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 health.
Nutrition
I have developed my own proprietary nutrient feed program for succulent production. This provides everything they need in the right amounts, derived from nutrient isolates and kelp extract. The result is maximum health and exceptional appearance.
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!
