Planting Succulents
So let me begin by saying, I have no idea what I am doing. I have wanted to plant real succulents for years but for whatever reason, they really intimidate me. I finally decided I was going to plant at least three this summer so when I visited World Market, I was happy to finally purchase the terrarium I had been eyeing for the last year. Of course I visited Pinterest for information and then went to a couple of home improvement stores to price the different kinds and sizes of succulents. First of all, succulents are expensive. Second, there are a lot of different kinds. I knew I would at least leave with one echeveria (rose-like succulent). I left with four. Third, succulents are delicate so be careful when handling them because chances are you’re going to break off a leaf/stem/bud/petal/piece.
Echeveria “Lola,” Echeveria Marzarine/Echeveria Hybrid, Pachyphytum Oviferum (I think it is Pachyphytum Oviferum)
Pachyveria “Little Jewel”
I used glass gems (the kind typically used for fake floral arrangements) because I could not find a small bag of pebbles and I already had the gems. Hopefully they work because I used those as my “pebbles” in all the succulent arrangements. I used the soil and perlite mix that each succeulent was originally planted in along with Miracle-Gro Palm, Cactus, and Citrus Soil.
Some people claim misting your succulents is the best way to water them and others claim that misting is harmful. After the initial planting, I sprayed a little water on each arrangement with a spray bottle. Then I read that after the initial planting you should drench your succulents and then wait till the soil is completely dry before watering again in order to insure that they go into “drought mode.” So the second day I actually watered each arrangement under the kitchen faucet. However, since I had sprayed them the day before, I did not “drench” them. Apparently spraying or misting succulents prevents them from growing and instead they spread tiny roots outward in an attempt to grab the misted water.
Some people also are totally against using pots and containers without drainage holes. None of these containers have drainage so I really hope that the soil and gem combination I used will prevent my succulents from drowning.
Echeveria Real De Catorce
Echeveria “Blue Rose”
Crassula Dubia
I actually bought nine plants and returned two because I overestimated the size of the containers that I had. My husband took the crassula dubia to his office.
And now I play the waiting game. Wish me luck.
Resources
Monarch Way 