Young people and the hobby of growing succulents.

Relaxing yet… elaborate

On their balcony, which is about ten square meters, Đoan Như and her newlywed husband have set up many iron and wooden shelves and displayed hundreds of succulent plants of various kinds. Looking at the young couple's succulent "garden," one can unconsciously sense a sense of relaxation. Đoan Như shared: "After a tiring day at work, looking at the succulents helps to ease the fatigue. Since having them as companions, I've been happier; I'm a little busier now, but it's not stressful."

The busyness that Đoan Như shared is the result of meticulous effort. Succulents belong to the Crassulaceae family, with about 60 families and over 300 different species. Importantly, caring for them is not simple. Beginners must put in the effort to learn, because incorrect techniques or planting in unsuitable locations can easily kill the plants. From choosing the right pot, mixing the soil, watering, and fertilizing, everything requires meticulous attention. "When I first started growing succulents, I searched on Google and found that they are easy to care for and have strong vitality… But after planting them, I realized that succulents are only easy to care for in Da Lat; they are very difficult to grow elsewhere. There was a period when I lost many plants," Đoan Như recounted.

Huynh Thi Thao, a young woman "addicted" to succulents, recounts that when she first started growing them, she found many websites claiming that succulents could be grown indoors, just exposed to sunlight once every 2-3 days. However, according to Thao, that's not enough; succulents must be grown outdoors. The plant's beauty, sturdiness, and vibrant colors depend on sunlight and temperature fluctuations between day and night. Therefore, even if succulents can thrive indoors, they almost certainly won't have the same beautiful colors as those grown in sunny regions with cool nights. "The plant prefers a well-draining, airy substrate, but substrates vary from region to region. Therefore, plants brought from areas with different climates need to have their old substrate removed. This is a common mistake," Thao explains.

Many young people liken the hobby of growing succulents to caring for a newborn baby. Four factors contribute to the plant's healthy growth: plant quality, environment, growing medium, and care. Of these, choosing quality plants and providing proper care entirely depends on the grower's skill. Despite the effort involved, many young people believe that focusing on nature brings peace of mind, reducing unnecessary socializing, drinking, and partying during their free time.

Playing with and getting addicted to succulents.

Only those who are "devotees" of succulents understand that this hobby can be addictive, in a positive sense. Many young people who grow succulents have learned from experience that succulents can remove substances like benzene and formaldehyde (toxic chemicals that increase the risk of cancer), which are present in cigarette smoke, doormats, and printing ink. In addition, with the plant cells in their leaves, succulents can absorb radiation from electronic devices such as computers, phones, and televisions, helping to protect living spaces from diseases caused by prolonged exposure to radiation. Because of this, many people are fascinated by this type of plant.

The goal of succulent enthusiasts is to assemble a collection of many unique and rare varieties. Many choose to gradually collect them and arrange them into a succulent garden. From small, colorful succulent pots, arranged scientifically so that each pot receives sunlight, many young people meticulously decorate them with small, eye-catching accessories, or combine several types to create succulent artwork. Some are even more elaborate, finding small pieces of wood to assemble into hanging racks for succulents around their house. “There are many unique and beautiful types of succulents, such as brown succulents, Buddha's hand succulents, diamond succulents, red-edged succulents, heart-shaped succulents, buttock succulents… The more I play with succulents and learn about them, the more passionate I become. Unlike other gardens, a succulent garden doesn't take up much space but is enough to keep you admiring it endlessly,” says Nguyen Thi Ngan Tram, a young succulent enthusiast.

Because succulent prices vary widely depending on the variety, many young people start with the simplest and most affordable types. Once they become familiar with caring for them and save up a little money, they seek out rare succulents to satisfy their passion. This approach keeps them constantly refreshing their beloved gardens to satisfy their healthy "addiction."

Source: https://baothuathienhue.vn/doi-song/gioi-tre-thu-choi-sen-da-128852.html