So I’ve been playing around with planting succulents in some antique store finds to make them real focal points in the house now that winter is coming and my darlings can’t stay outside any longer. I am also planning to give some of these as gifts for the holidays. Wouldn’t these also make classy centerpieces when grouped on a table at a formal dinner or wedding reception?
[...] yellow mums grown in our greenhouse and several cuttings of succulents from my collection. It’s no secret that succulents fascinate me, and I snatch up any chance to use them in floral designs. Besides their architectural lines [...]
[...] credits: the nester | emily a. clark | style me pretty | forget me not landscape | straight from the garden | floral [...]
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Very nice arrangements! I’ve been eyeing a few elements of greenery, lately, that I might fill my indoor spaces with, too — since winter’s definitely on its way.
As it happens, I have a succulent question. I received one as a gift for my birthday, this past summer, and it sits on my desk at work. I’m not sure what kind it is, but I do see one in the ninth picture on this entry (in the bottom right-hand corner of the coffeecan-looking planter).
The information provided with the plant only said, “Succulents” [thanks a LOT], so I don’t know its proper name. It gave information about watering, feeding, etc. and I feel as though I’m fulfilling my end of the care bargain. But, the “leaves” of the plant over the past couple weeks have started to look wrinkly — kinda how your hands or feet look after soaking in a tub for too long. I only water the plant about once a week (sometimes I wait more than a week) and I don’t give it much water when I do water it.
So what’s with the shriveled look? Too much water? Not enough? Please help. Thanks!
Hey Jason – Well, first off, lucky you for having folks that bestow succulents on you as gifts.
They must be nice people, though a bit lacking in their botanical designtations. Teehee. So, if you’re talking about that broad leafed plant with red edging, that’s a jade plant (Crassula ovata). I’m guessing you’re actually overwatering it if it’s getting wrinkly. Succulents really only want water maybe every other week, depending on the container’s size and drainage in relation to the plant’s size. Always let the soil dry out completely before watering again. In truth, I sometimes let mine go a month without [remembering to] water. They seem to thrive on negelect and it’s certainly better to underwater than over water as they will rot out with too much.
If I were you, I’d gently take it out of it’s pot to inspect the roots (give them a sniff – if they smell terrible, they’re rotting) and give the base of the stem a little wiggle (if it’s soft, it’s rotting). If it seem to be in generally good health save for the wrinkly leaves, let it dry out for two weeks and then begin a more restrained watering routine. Otherwise, check it for pests (mealybugs love succulents) and make sure it’s getting bright sunlight or florecent light for at least 8 hours a day (ideally, though they survive on less when in good health).
Hope that helps!! Let me know if it doesn’t perk up or if you find something funky when you’re inspecting it.
ps – I haven’t forgotten about the self-watering container design link, just haven’t unearthed it again yet….will send as soon as I can.
Hi!
I absolutely love your webpage! I love your ideas of placing succulents in kitchen silver ware.
I’ve done a similar thing but definently doesn’t look as good
I also love the background of your web page, where did you get it from?
I have a question about propagation. I go around the neighborhood getting cuttings of succulents and I’m not sure whether the best thing to do is to place them straight in the ground or in water. I usually put them straight in the ground and they’ve done fine. When i put a few in water they rotted put then placed them in the ground afterwards and seem to be fine.
Thanks