Buds and Blooms: Succulents, succulents, the biggest trend in plants

By Medicine Hat News on March 2, 2019.

Way back in the day the only succulents you would see was the Aloe Vera and Jade Plants and maybe a few Prickly Cacti (and yes cacti are succulents too). Succulents have become the trendiest and most versatile houseplant around.

I have seen succulents used in floral arrangements, wedding bouquets, picture frames, fairy gardens and wreaths. They are very easy to use, hard to kill and are very stylish, architectural leaves with their cool tones pack more aesthetic punch than most flowers do. Great little plants for beginner gardeners

Light and Temperature

Succulents are sun bathers and thrive near south or west windows. Not too close to the full sun window as the glass magnifies the light and it could burn the leaves. If the succulents start to stretch (the stems between leaf nodes get longer than usual) then you need to provide more light. Succulents can go outside for the summer months, just protect them from the afternoon scorching sun to avoid the brown burn marks on the leaves. The succulents can take the cooler nights outside and you may even get some of them to bloom because of the swing in temperatures

Basic Care: Watering and Fertilizer

A vast group of plants and a wide range of diversity, succulents all share one simple, ingenious adaption. Certain parts of them (usually the leaves) store water in order to survive in dry climates When you crack open a thick, fleshy succulent leaf and see how much moisture is inside, you would know what I mean.

With such brilliant built-in mechanism to ration water, most succulents are killed from over-watering. Wait until the soil is quite dry before watering and water well when you do, but do not let the plant sit in a saucer full of water.

The watering is always a challenge. It depends on cycles, summer, winter, dormant winters and the light and heat levels. Better to be on the dry side than too wet. Puffy leaves are the most common sign of overwatering; the plant is attempting to store the water but it is beyond its capacity. Then after that the lower stem may turn brown as root rot sets in. Once the roots rot, the leaves will shrivel and appear to need water desperately. They do need water but there are no healthy roots to deliver to. Shriveled leaves also indicate under-watering, which is far rarer than overwatering.

Succulents don’t need much fertilizing as other house plants. In the summer they appreciate a dose of all-purpose or succulent fertilizer once or twice a month and then not really until the following March again.

Enjoy having fun with them. There are so many ways to use them and they work in so many pots, dishes or containers. You can be very creative.

Joyce Swaren is the owner and head horticulturalist at Blondie’s Gift and Garden

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