Succulents - Not Your Average Garden Plant

Succulents are great in Australia as they require very little water, making them perfect for areas that are currently suffering through water restrictions.  They also have an amazing range of leaf shapes and colours, making them perfect for creating a focal point in the garden.  

The first thing that you need to note is that while all cacti are classified as being succulents, not all succulents are classified as being cacti.  For this reason, succulents and cacti are classed separately.  Succulents are plants that store water during wet periods to use in dry periods.  There are two main types of succulents – those that store water in their leaves, and those that store water in their stems.  Succulents normally have thick, fleshy leaves.  The leaves may also feel waxy or hairy.  This helps to reduce water loss.

Planting Succulents

Succulents need at least half a day of direct sun in order to thrive.  These plants also need excellent drainage so it is a good idea to add gravel, sand, or pumice to the soil to ensure that it is extremely free draining.  If the soil is too wet, the plant may suffer from root problems.  Also ensure that your succulents are protected from frost. I've found that most of my varieties survive frost - just. If you know there will be a heavy frost, just hose them off in the morning.

Looking after Succulents

During summer, it is perfectly fine to water your succulents regularly.  However, during winter, it is best not to water them at all as this is their resting period.  In general, succulents need very little water so it is best to always check the plant and the soil first before giving water.  If watering is needed, early in the morning is best.  Also ensure that you do not feed your succulents regularly as they do not need a lot of nutrition.  A slow release fertiliser in spring is often adequate, as is a weak liquid fertiliser in summer.

Do not mulch your succulents.  If you wish to cover the soil, a thin layer of gravel, crushed shells, or stones is more than sufficient.

It is likely that a stem or leaf may break off when you are handling your succulents.  There is no need to worry about this as succulents are easy to grow from cuttings.  Simply take the piece of the plant that has broken off and leave it to dry for about a week.  Once this has happened, put the piece of the plant into a pot that has been filled with half potting mix and half sand and watch the new plant grow.

Succulents in Containers

As succulents need so little water, they are absolutely perfect for planting in pots.  If you are planting your succulents in a pot, the potting mix that you use is vital.  Ensure that the potting mix is extremely well-draining.  The ideal mix is half free draining potting mix and half sand.  When they have been potted, the succulents should only need to be watered once a week during spring and summer depending on the weather, and very rarely in winter.

Succulents should be repotted at the very end of winter or the start of spring, when the new growing season begins.  Always wait until any flowering has ceased before repotting, and ensure that the potting mix is dry.  Transfer the plant into a pot that is one size up from the original pot.  Repotting should only need to be done when the plant has grown too big for its original pot or is looking rootbound.

If your container has not got a drainage hole, make sure it is out of the rain, so the plant won't be over-watered.

Examples of Marvellous Containers

Books

An old tyre

Any fancy Jar

Hanging Jar

A Beautiful Mix

In Pots

In Old Boots

Seashells?

A "dry" garden. No need to water these.

A Succulent Bridal Bouquet

A succulent wall.

How To Make A Vertical Garden
I saw this & thought it was beautiful. How handy are you?

Picture frame with back and glass panel removed
Shadow box of redwood or cedar 1x3s, cut to fit the back of the frame
Hammer
Nails
1/2-inch hardware cloth, cut to fit the inside dimensions of the frame
Staple gun
Staples
1/4-inch plywood backing, cut to fit the back of the shadow box
Paint
Clean cloth
All-purpose potting soil
Succulent cuttings and plants
Chopstick

1-The shadow box adds depth to the back of the picture frame, allowing space for soil and plants. Nail or screw the shadow box into place on the back of the wooden picture frame.

2-With the frame still face-down, insert the hardware cloth into the box so that the hardware cloth is flush with the inside of the frame. When it’s in place, it will look like the hardware cloth is a photo in the frame. A hardware cloth or chicken wire with 1/2-inch grid is small enough to hold the potting soil in, yet large enough to accommodate stems. Staple hardware cloth to the edges of the frame.

3-Lay 1/4-inch plywood backing on the back of the shadow box. Secure with nails. You will have a box with a hardware cloth front at this point. You can either paint the frame and box if you should wish(use outdoor paint if you are planning on hanging the garden outside), or get to the fun part of planting!

4-Pour soil on top of the hardware cloth, using your hands to push it through the openings. Shake the frame periodically to evenly disperse the soil. Add more soil until it reaches the bottom of the wire grid and the box is full.

5-On a flat surface, lay out succulent cuttings in the design you want in the frame. Push a chopstick or pencil through one square of the wire grid and into the soil to make a small hole for the succulent stem.Then, simply, place the stem of a succulent cutting into the planting hole, allowing the leaf rosette to rest on top of the wire grid. Tuck in larger plants first, followed by smaller ones, and plant as close together as the grid allows. Depending on plant size, not every square will be planted. After planting, you may see hints of the wire, but as the succulents grow, they’ll close the gaps.

6-After planting, it’s best to keep the living succulent picture flat and out of direct sunlight for a week or two to allow cuttings to form roots along the stems. For additional security you can also support the stems with floral pins. Gradually increase light levels to full sun exposure and do not water the first two weeks to be sure that everything is rooted properly.
Now you can display your vertical garden! Setting it on a table or shelf where it can be propped up against a wall can look fantastic! You can also hang the frame on a wall with sturdy picture hooks for fun living art. As for caring for your new garden, just water the succulents once a month by laying the frame on a flat surface and thoroughly moisten the soil. Make sure the frame is dry before you hang it up again. In hot areas, be sure to protect plants from midday sun either with shade or by moving it for a few hours. If you want to keep your succulent picture indoors, its best to keep it near a south-facing window for optimum light.
http://willowandbloom.com/blog/uncategorized/how-to-make-your-own-vertical-garden/

The Versatile Yucca

Originating from Central America, Yuccas would have to be one of the most versatile plants available. They will successfully grow in full sun, part shade, full shade or indoors. Grown for their bold and handsome shape, they feature tall woody stems ending in a crown of long sword shaped leaves and come in many colours and varieties, from greens to yellow variegated and silver variegated.

Yuccas prefer dryer conditions with good drainage, but will still grow in most places; they will tolerate very hot periods without water or near freezing conditions. If grown in the full sun, the foliage becomes stiffer and bolder looking, giving it the trendy and fashionable Mediterranean look. If grown in shade or indoors they will develop a softer and longer leaf.

Yuccas can be planted in pots or in the garden, be grown indoors or outdoors and be planted in sun or shade. They look exotic and tropical and have a modern style. Yuccas perform a range of landscape functions. Plant as a centerpiece in a courtyard, as a feature plant in a pot or as a low maintenance stylish screen. Use as a hardy indoor feature either fully indoors, under plastic roofing or in undercover outdoors areas.

How To Grow Yuccas

• Fertilise regularly. Use a slow release fertiliser or palletised chicken manure. This will keep them green.
• When growing Yucca in pots, use a specially formulated potting mix. This will ensure that you have good drainage with the right pH level. Potted Yuccas should be given a good dose of dolomite lime every 12 month.
• Trimming and shaping. When Yucca get too tall just cut the top off, and new heads will grow. The best time to prune is early October, that way you don’t have to wait too long for new foliage to reshoot.
• If you have shabby leaves at the bottom of your Yucca, pull them off that way you can expose more of the dramatic trunk.
• If your Yuccas are getting too wide, cut off the side shoots.
• When you cut shoots off your Yucca don’t waste them, plant them or give them to a friend. Yucca can be propagated by planting the stems or shoots into Yucca potting mix in a shady spot. Keep moist until struck.

Yuccas are particularly drought resistant and can be left for months without water; they also will grow well in coastal conditions and seaside gardens. Yuccas can be grown in the garden but also like to be grown in pots. They are perfect for balconies and terraces and will fend for themselves if you are away on holidays.

On mature plants they develop striking small white bell flowers from October to December. The flowers are known to be used in many culinary recipes and are also known to possess many medicinal properties.

http://www.cacti.com.au/

http://australiansucculents.com/live-plants

http://www.thesucculentgarden.com.au/

Happy Grubbing

Tam