We hope you enjoy your new living succulent bowl. Here are our quick guidelines for maintaining the health and vitality of your succulent arrangement.
Your succulent bowl should be placed where it will receive either four hours of direct light per day or brilliant indirect light all day (preferably in the morning). Remember that the plants can be burned by the afternoon sun, especially in the summer. Your succulents will start to expand and lose their brilliance if they don’t receive enough light. Move the plant to a brighter location to prevent this from happening because it is chasing the light. Turn the pot occasionally so that it receives sunlight from all angles.
Locate a sunny area, such as next to or on a window sill, to offer your succulents the best chance of growing indoors. It wouldn’t hurt to occasionally move your succulents outside so they may enjoy the sunshine and clean air. Put the succulent bowl in a safe location with bright, indirect light.
Your succulent bowl is now ready for display after being hydrated. Before watering, wait at least a week or two.
Less is more when it comes to watering your succulents. The general rule is to only water the succulents when the soil is fully dry because it is dangerous to overwater your new house guest. Soak the soil completely with water, then let it drain. Because of their dormant stage, succulents require less irrigation. During the winter, use little water.
Before watering your plant, check the soil’s moisture level by dipping your finger or a wooden stick into it. The soil may appear dry on the surface, but it may still be wet underneath. It’s time to water if the soil is dry.
Your succulents’ lowest leaves will eventually dry out. Any dead leaves should readily pull away, so remove them with care. If a few healthy leaves fall off, you can propagate those leaves to create new succulent plants.
Like any living thing, your succulents will remain happy with fresh air, affection, and water.
How often should I water my bowl of succulents?
During the months that are not winter, when the temperature is above 40 degrees, you should water your succulents every other week. You should only water your succulent once a month in the winter (when the temperature falls below 40 degrees), as it goes dormant at this period.
A few situations constitute an exception to this rule. Because their tiny leaves can’t hold as much water as other varieties with larger leaves, some varieties of succulents need to be watered more frequently. In the non-winter months, feel free to give these small leaf succulents a water if they appear to be thirsty. When they are thirsty, succulents generally exhibit a wrinkled appearance. But always keep in mind that being underwater is preferable to being overwater.
Choose your succulent container
These bowls from Bunnings are what we’re using; they’re shallow and roomy enough to display a variety of succulent species. However, as long as it has a hole at the bottom to allow for good drainage, you can use any kind of container or plant pot.
Layer some rock
We’re putting a layer of rocks at the bottom of the pot to aid in drainage. However, it’s okay if you don’t have any rocks. Your succulents will thrive as long as your pot has a drainage hole and the proper soil!
Add the succulents
Finding the ideal combination of succulents can be challenging. The best course of action is to choose a variety. Choose a few taller plants, a few smaller plants in a range of colors, and a few plants that trail. You’ll get height, color, and some cascading over your planter if you do it that way.
Fill with potting mix and top off with rocks or pebbles
Once the succulents are in place and positioned as desired, add extra potting soil to the bowl to fill it out. To further help weigh down the soil and prevent soil from splashing up onto the plants during watering, you might also want to add some rocks or stones.
Pop them in your designated spot
Your succulents should now be placed in a well-lit area, ideally in the sun or beneath a patio with indirect sunlight. Additionally, they’ll look fantastic on a windowsill and make wonderful gifts.
Do succulents need to be in the sun directly?
1. Ensure that your succulents receive adequate light. Depending on the type, succulents need six hours of sunlight each day because they are light-loving plants. You might need to gradually expose newly planted succulents to full sun exposure or give shade with a translucent screen because they can burn in direct sunshine.
Is it possible to hydrate succulents with ice cubes?
One of the most enjoyable pastimes you can engage in is caring for plants. They will not only give you many advantages, but they are also aesthetically beautiful. Simply ensure that you are aware of how to care for them.
Be mindful of the risks if you decide to attempt watering succulents with ice cubes. It’s conceivable that your plants will be harmed or killed if you subject them to such jarring temperature variations.
Any plant won’t like having its watered with ice cubes, succulent or not. To avoid stressing them out, it is preferable to use room temperature water. Additionally, you should plant plants in containers that encourage proper water drainage as well as good air circulation.
Do my succulents need to be misted?
When I first learned about succulents, I was fascinated by the notion that they couldn’t die. They were frequently referred to as very low maintenance plants that adored being neglected. That sounds fairly simple, hmm.
To add to my bewilderment, I frequently heard the word “succulent” used in the same sentence as the word “cactus.” We won’t get into it here because there is a really fantastic essay on this site that explains the link between cacti and succulents, but a widespread misconception regarding cacti is that they never require water. Because I believed succulents required little to no water, I occasionally misted them rather than watering them. They love to be ignored, right? They require little upkeep, right? Well, I hate to ruin the surprise, but my succulents barely made it through this abuse.
The scoop about misting and watering is as follows:
*Water: After the dirt has dried, drown your succulents in water. Put them in water until the bottom of the pot is filled with water. If you have a catch pan, remove any water that has accumulated there. The best kind of pots are unglazed, porous ones with drainage holes (think terracotta pots). Your succulents will appreciate that they allow them to breathe.
*Low Maintenance: Succulents grow in nature with shallow roots that quickly absorb water and store it in their leaves, stems, and roots for periods of drought. Succulents are considered low maintenance because of this. They are designed to hold water for extended periods of time, so you don’t need to water them as frequently as some plants, like every other day. They won’t wither and die while you’re away, so you may travel with confidence. Just remember to give them a good drink when you do water them!
*Water Type: Rainwater or distilled water are the ideal water types to utilize. Numerous minerals in tap water can accumulate in the soil and even appear on plant leaves.
*Watering Frequency: A number of factors determine how frequently you water (climate, season, humidity, pot size, pot type, drainage etc). The best general rule is to wait until the soil has dried before watering it again. The roots may decay if the soil isn’t given a chance to dry up or if water is left in the catch pan. You can stick your finger into the ground and feel around to determine the amount of moisture in the soil, or you can use a moisture meter (commonly sold in gardening centers or online and relatively inexpensive).
Leave the misting to the babies, please! Actually, fully developed succulents dislike being misted. Because they prefer dry environments, misting them will alter the humidity in the area around the plant. Additionally, this might cause decay. To gently hydrate your propagation babies’ tiny, sensitive roots, spray them.
How can I determine whether my succulent needs water?
Succulents are better off dry than wet, but that doesn’t mean you can ignore the need to water them. In fact, the plant needs water to survive, and much like people, it will exhibit dehydration symptoms. Your succulent clearly needs extra water if its leaves are wrinkled and shriveled.
The cells attempt to bring in more water to make up for the water that has been lost as they release their stored moisture to the rest of the plant. The cells shrink as they run out of water and the plant is forced to rely on its limited reserves, which causes the once-firm and full leaves to collapse and shrivel.
Do:
- Water flowing downward till it exits the pot’s drainage hole from above: Succulents respond well to this kind of watering, which is the norm for most houseplants. Run a moderate, constant trickle of room-temperature water over the top layer of the soil in your succulent plant using a watering can or cup that has been filled. Your indication to quit is when water begins to flow from the pot’s drainage hole. Give the plant 15 minutes to absorb the last of the moisture. After that, empty any remaining liquid from the tray into the sink.
- If your succulent’s soil is tightly packed and not appearing to be uniformly absorbing your top watering, you can try the bottom-watering method. The horticulture and owner of the Planthood store in Amsterdam, Monai Nailah McCullough, says that watering succulents from the top can occasionally cause damage to the roots. Watering it from the bottom allows it to slowly and effectively consume enough water. Put your succulent(s) in a shallow dish, plastic container, or tray that is 2 to 3 inches deep with water to bottom water them. Allow them to soak in the water for five to fifteen minutes, or until the top of the soil feels just damp to the touch. Refill as necessary.
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Don’t:
- Mist its leaves: Succulents are not among the plant species that benefit from a good misting, although some do. Mirroring a plant’s natural surroundings is essential to ensuring its happiness in captivity. Additionally, because they are native to dry regions with low humidity, succulents are unaccustomed to having wet leaves. Thompson notes that “the water can get trapped and develop fungal concerns.” There is basically no point since they aren’t used to being sprayed.
- Put it in a container with no drainage opening: Drainage holes act as a pathway for water that your plant is unable to absorb. Succulents definitely need it because they are so sensitive to overwatering.
- Use ice cubes: Some plant owners use ice cubes to give their plants a more gentle and controlled soak because they disseminate a tiny amount of water very slowly. Again, though, if the goal is to simulate the succulent’s natural desert habitat, giving them something very cold makes little sense and might even startle them.
- Water it less frequently, but more often: You should give your succulent a deep soak rather than a light misting every few days.
Selecting Succulents
Succulents are a ton of fun to mix and match in your favorite container because they come in such a wide variety of wonderful forms, sizes, and colors. We began with two Desert Escapesix-packs, each of which had a unique combination of plants.
Did you know that the thick, fleshy leaves that succulents utilize to retain moisture in arid regions are what give them their name?
What is Desert Escape?
The professionals at Costa Farms put developed a unique selection of cacti and succulents called Desert Escape. These kinds were all picked for their attractiveness and toughness. Although Desert Escape plants come in a range of sizes, tabletop containers work best with the smaller varieties.
Although succulents can be found all over the world, the majority of cultivated varieties originate in Africa and South America.
Getting Started
A succulent dish is quite simple to make. First, add potting soil to a sizable terra cotta dish. Succulents detest moist soil, so search for a mixture that has perlite or sand to aid with drainage. Make a hole in the middle of the container, then insert your tallest succulent inside. We positioned a Flapjack kalanchoe in the middle of this area because it has a potential height range of 12 to 24 inches.
You don’t need to be concerned about an unplanned invasion or pandemic because succulents have relatively few insect or disease issues.
Tease the Roots
Some of your succulents may have a densely packed root ball when you remove them from their grower’s containers. Before placing the plant into the dirt, carefully separate the roots with your fingers. They will be inspired to sprout new growth as a result.
A succulent leaf that has been broken off can be rooted to grow a new plant. After allowing the leaf to heal for a few days, plant it in soil and watch it grow.
Mix Colors and Textures
There are little differences between working with annuals and perennials and succulents. Plants with contrasting colors and textures look best when together. Here, for instance, we combined the vibrant, spherical leaves of portulacaria with broad, flat-leaved succulents like echeveria.
Although not all succulents are cacti, cacti are succulents. Cacti are only defined as succulents having spines.
Space Properly
Despite the temptation to crowd your succulents together, it’s vital to provide each plant enough space to spread out as it matures. We gave the plants in our bowl a three-inch separation. This gives the container a polished appearance straight away while giving the plants room to grow.
Much like other plants, succulents also produce blooms. They may not bloom until they are fully developed, but they will ultimately bloom.
Water Thoroughly
After planting succulents, make sure to immediately water them. This aids in removing air pockets from around their roots and provides them with a much-needed drink following transplantation. Succulents appreciate watering whenever the soil seems dry to the touch after they’ve adjusted into their new place.
Succulents that are cold hardy can be grown in northern landscapes. Two examples are sedums and hens and chicks.
Wash Away Excess Soil
You could find some potting dirt stuck between the leaves of low-growing succulents like echeveria after planting them. Although the plant won’t be harmed, it won’t look good, so we advise spritzing the plant with water to clear away any extra soil that may be hiding between the leaves.
Succulents can be grown anywhere; you don’t need to live somewhere dry. As long as they receive enough sunlight and have proper drainage, these plants will thrive even in rainy areas.
Find the Sun
Sun worshipers are succulents. Therefore, it’s crucial to put your finished bowl in a spot that gets at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight every day. Also keep in mind that most succulents cannot withstand freezing temperatures, so bring them inside and place them in a sunny area before the first frost.
Collecting succulents is very popular. Additionally, you have access to a nearly limitless variety of succulent species because they are found in over 60 different plant families. These incredible plants will keep you interested for life.
Watch it Grow
Your succulents will quickly fill in the spaces between one another as they develop. Just 7 weeks after planting, you can see how lush and beautiful the plants have grown in this picture. To help the plants develop more quickly, we didn’t take any additional measures. We only watered when the soil felt dry to the touch after leaving the container in the sunlight. We’ll bring the pot inside for the winter in the fall.
Because succulents come in such a wide range of forms, textures, and hues, it’s simple to create a distinctive design by combining various varieties to make a living tapestry.