words, if 1 teaspoon to a gallon of water is the standard mea- surement, reduce that amount to 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water. Do keep in mind that forgetting to fertilize is more beneficial than overdoing it. Besides, large doses of fertilizer won’t turn a tiny succulent into a gargantuan specimen in a single year.
Of course, the best way to
154 CSD
smooth, waxy patination. Some resemble tiny Henry Moore-like statues while others resemble green-tinged precious gems that “sparkle” with hints of color. Many belong to the Stonecrop Family—a group of succulents that look more like stones than “real” plants. Two popular examples from this collection are propeller plant (Crassula falcata) and string ‘o buttons (C. perforata). Although not stonecrops, burro’s tail (Sedum morganianum) and silver beads (Senecio rowleyanus) also have uncommon shapes. These succulents are often incorpo- rated into designs that suggest visual movement or animation. Remember: There is no need to limit your creative urges to a single family or species. Impulse collecting is encouraged. Container size is also not an issue with succulents. Because they are slow to outgrow their homes, allow silver beads to tumble down from the top of a candleless candlestick or plant
a piece of whatever strikes your fancy in a miniature teacup. Succulents also make stun- ning, albeit temporary, acces- sories. Small stem cuttings are amenable to florist glue. Allow the severed wounds to callous for a day before affixing them to hair barrettes or bracelets. Though these works of art won’t last forever, soilless arrangements will last for at least several days.
CARING FOR SUCCULENTS If not over-watered (this advice comes from someone who accidently “blew up” a cactus by absent-mindedly watering it twice in one week) and exposed to enough sun, succulents can last many years with only a minimum of effort. Instead of obsessing over moisture levels, it’s better to forget about them or at least leave the watering can in the closet most of the time.
Do purchase potting soil specifically made for succulents. (Product labels usually say “for
cacti and succulents.”) More gritty or sandy than conven- tional potting mediums, these soils are formulated to hold just the right amount of moisture without encouraging root rot. Outdoors, unless your soil is exceptionally dry and lacks organic material, succulents do better in porous containers filled with cactus/succulent potting agents.
In addition to their water- saving ability, succulents are genetically engineered to con- serve nourishment. This means that overfeeding, especially with high doses of nitrogen, encourages root rot and causes irreparable damage to leaf and stem tissue structure. During a succulent’s growth period, which begins in spring and ceases at summer’s end, incorporate a diluted solution of 10-10-10 fertilizer into the watering routine. Whatever the label’s standard instructions say, reduce the amount to one- quarter or at least half. In other
determine a specimen’s proper care is to ask questions and then write down the answers before purchasing. Some plants come with printed instructions, like one of my favorites (whose botanical name, sadly, I don’t know), which grows in a less than 4-inch ceramic container. Wary of the effects of overwa- tering, I carefully measure out 2 ounces of water for my friend once a month. I haven’t killed it yet.
Like my mystery plant, many succulents come planted in ceramic vessels that have no drainage hole. Such containers make plants more susceptible to root rot because there is no escape route for excess water. But even the presence of drain- age holes is no guarantee that a plant is safe from the scourge of too much moisture. Novice succulent aficionados might fare better with terra-cotta pots with holes underneath. Plus, the sides of clay containers are porous and therefore allow for additional evaporation. The bottom line is this: Be
creative and enjoy your suc- culents in whatever container suits your fancy. Unless they are overindulged, they don’t care. Like me, you may make a new friend this winter. 2
PJ Gartin is a freelance garden writer who lives in Charleston.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164 |
Page 165 |
Page 166 |
Page 167 |
Page 168 |
Page 169 |
Page 170 |
Page 171 |
Page 172 |
Page 173 |
Page 174 |
Page 175 |
Page 176 |
Page 177 |
Page 178 |
Page 179 |
Page 180 |
Page 181 |
Page 182 |
Page 183 |
Page 184 |
Page 185 |
Page 186 |
Page 187 |
Page 188 |
Page 189 |
Page 190 |
Page 191 |
Page 192 |
Page 193 |
Page 194 |
Page 195 |
Page 196 |
Page 197 |
Page 198 |
Page 199 |
Page 200 |
Page 201 |
Page 202 |
Page 203 |
Page 204 |
Page 205 |
Page 206 |
Page 207 |
Page 208 |
Page 209 |
Page 210 |
Page 211 |
Page 212 |
Page 213 |
Page 214 |
Page 215 |
Page 216 |
Page 217 |
Page 218 |
Page 219 |
Page 220 |
Page 221 |
Page 222 |
Page 223 |
Page 224 |
Page 225 |
Page 226 |
Page 227 |
Page 228 |
Page 229 |
Page 230 |
Page 231 |
Page 232 |
Page 233 |
Page 234 |
Page 235 |
Page 236 |
Page 237 |
Page 238 |
Page 239 |
Page 240 |
Page 241 |
Page 242 |
Page 243 |
Page 244 |
Page 245 |
Page 246 |
Page 247 |
Page 248 |
Page 249 |
Page 250 |
Page 251 |
Page 252 |
Page 253 |
Page 254 |
Page 255 |
Page 256
