Succulent growing question

[nicki]

I have several succulents and they've been growing fine as in not dying. However some are growing more tall and not so compact. I can't find pictures online of my plants looking like that so it must be something I'm doing. Could it be a light issue?

[gnathaniel]

Probably a light issue, many succulents are from very high-light environments and will etiolate if grown in lower light.

[Gage]

In general, succulents like full sun for much of the day. If they are in the shade, that could definitely cause some of them to grow more lanky.

[glenyorl1]

I grow several echeverrias in my front yard. The mother plant will die and leave her "chickens" to survive. Others grow taller and drop their lower leaves. Sometimes you can root them and increase your stock depending on the type
Posted via Mobile Device

[cakedaddy]

The majority of succulents I've tried to grow have "stretched" because I didn't give them enough light.
Posted via Mobile Device

[nicki]

Mine are being grown under lights. A couple have dropped the bottom leaves but they are not big enough that they have produced 'chickens' (didn't know that term before). I looked up etiolate. I think they are stretching to get to the light. I'll sit them up higher.

How will this affect their growth now? They've grown tall and have space between leaves instead of staying compact. Now if they are put closer to light will they become top heavy and look even more odd?

[Gurj]

Perhaps, I might be able to offer you some insight as I breed and sell Epiphyllums. In succulents, The growth gets tall and lanky for two reasons, too less light and secondly because there is too much moisture in the root ball. Make sure you supply ample of light and water only when the soil is bone dry. Over-fertilising can also push growth unnecessarily so cut down on it completely, they actually don't need fertilising except when in bloom.

[nicki]

I think too little light would be more likely than too much moisture. I will double check though. Anytime I fertilize I give a diluted amount.