- Acorns, seeds, and cinnamon sticks with little gourds. (optional if you wish to use plants other than succulents for the empty spaces)
Prepare your workspace before anything else. If you don’t have a separate craft table, cover your work surface with newspaper or butcher paper. Since you’ll be utilizing a spray glue, make sure you’re working in a well-ventilated location.
Attach the base for the succulents
You will need some kind of base for the succulents to adhere to if you want them to stay on top of the pumpkins and begin to grow roots. For this, we’ll be use green moss.
Apply some of the spray adhesive to the tops of the pumpkins if you want the moss to adhere firmly. I discovered that applying pressure while working in small parts is most effective.
Spray a generous amount of moss, then push down forcefully for a short period of time on the pumpkin to help it adhere. Spray directly on the pumpkin to fill up any gaps and create a beautiful base for the top.
Till the tops of the pumpkins are thoroughly covered and serve as a bed for the succulents to adhere to, continue working and forming a layer around 1/2 to 1 thick.
To avoid having a “bowl haircut,” let a few moss fragments trail down occasionally. Continue until each of your pumpkins has a sturdy foundation on which to stand.
Arranging the succulents
Succulents should be gathered, with a decent diversity. Now for the enjoyable part!
Gather your succulents, ensuring sure they are all calloused over, then warm up the hot glue gun. Place the tallest succulent pieces in the centre, somewhat off to the side.
As you press the succulents down, make sure the glue is hot but wait a few seconds before touching to prevent burning your fingers.
To ensure that each cutting adheres well to the moss, hold it there with glue for a short period of time. As you work, sprinkle in whatever extra items you may have, such as cinnamon sticks, seeds, or acorns.
Use a variety of succulent cuttings that are various in terms of their colors, shapes, sizes, and textures. This gives the arrangement additional intrigue and appeal.
Work from the middle out
Use the hot glue to adhere the clippings, working outward from the center and making sure they are packed tightly together.
This not only facilitates your work but also enables you to monitor the development of the arrangement as you go.
Work on the pumpkin’s top until it is full and has the appearance you want. As you work, try to create a mounded appearance by putting the smaller pieces in front and angling the front parts outward.
To fill in all the gaps as your arrangement begins to take shape, make sure you have a lot of succulent cuttings on hand. If you have an excess, you can subsequently put them in the ground.
One of my center plants, an echeveria neon breakers, is now in bloom, so I was able to put a splash of color right at the front of my arrangement.
If you have a cascading succulent, use glue to firmly bind it to the moss before letting it cascade over the edges and over the sides of the pumpkin.
Work on each pumpkin until it has the desired number and arrangement of succulents on the moss. If you choose a progression of sizes to balance the show, the small planters look good.
What happens if leaves break off the succulents as you are working?
This is not at all a problem. Simply allow the leaf ends to dry completely before laying them on some cactus soil. They’ll start producing baby plants right away. Here are some suggestions for free plant acquisition.
Finishing up
Before watering your arrangement, it’s a good idea to let it sit without any attention for a day. By doing this, you can ensure that the adhesive is sturdy and won’t be loosen by moisture.
What is the lifespan of pumpkin succulents?
Start with your largest succulent in the center of a huge pumpkin, attach the stem with a small amount of hot glue, and insert it into the moss.
Then, keep gluing your larger succulents into the moss as you work your way outward from the center.
Prioritize using your larger succulents before using the smaller hanging and filler succulents.
For a tiny pumpkin, I typically use a larger succulent as the focal point that is somewhat offset from the center, and then I add 2-3 smaller succulents to the sides.
Step 5: Finishing Touches
Look for any areas where the hot glue is visible. If there is, cover the adhesive with little pieces of stretched moss to conceal it.
Succulent Pumpkin Care
However, they will thrive in a partially sunny, covered area with shade. Or indoors where they will be protected from the elements and enjoy some filtered light.
Then, spray the succulents with water at the base of the stem once a week to every other week.
The succulents will gradually begin to sprout roots into the moss; this is ideal because it will allow you to plant them later.
How Long Do Succulent Pumpkins Last?
Starting with a healthy pumpkin will ensure that the entire arrangement lasts at least two to three months. But I have seen pumpkins with succulent tops that lasted for almost a year!
You may see all of my favorite succulents to use on pumpkins on the free list below.
Does hot glue work on succulents?
Your closest buddy while dealing with succulents in unconventional pots will also be floral glue. This glue from the Oasis brand cures rapidly and keeps succulents firmly in place. The support needed to keep a succulent in place is minimal. This is something you should have on hand whether you’re making a wreath or a planter out of driftwood.
Hot glue is another option that is equally as effective and affordable. Although I used to use this a lot for my crafts, I’ve found that the floral glue holds its shape better. However, if you already have it, go for it!
What about hot glue?
Actually, using hot glue on succulents is acceptable. On the location where the glue is, it does burn a tiny bit, but the rest of the plant is unaffected.
There are still spaces at the leaf nodes (where the leaves join to the stem) at the stem’s base where new roots can grow despite the bottom of the stem being completely covered in hot glue.
Even though it is now more challenging, your succulents may still send out roots at the end of the stem that, as they grow, may either push the hot glue off or just push up around it.
Crazy! But it’s possible. Your succulents will still grow successfully in either scenario.
Since floral adhesive tends to stick to succulents better, I prefer to use it.
Can succulents be grown in just rocks?
It should be obvious that succulents will thrive when planted in rocks given these circumstances. They drain very well and do not retain water, which eliminates the possibility of root rot. This does not include another component of soil, though, since all plants need nutrients.
Although succulents are not particularly hungry plants, they do need certain nutrients to grow. Other micronutrients like zinc or iron are needed in smaller levels, whereas macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium are essential. The plant won’t grow at all or last very long without these nutrients.
By their very nature, rocks don’t release nutrients quickly enough to keep the plants alive. They are composed of minerals, but since they decompose so slowly over time, they are not appropriate for growing on their own. Additionally, they often don’t retain enough moisture, allowing the roots to quickly dry out after draining practically instantly.
Sadly, this means that succulents cannot thrive permanently without soil in rocks. If not given regular care, they may survive for several weeks or even months on the nutrients found in the stems and leaves.
How are succulents hot glued?
Warm up the hot glue gun. To help the succulent better take root, add a few dots of hot glue to the underside of each rosette but not the stem (Image 1). Hold each succulent in place while the adhesive cools by pressing it into the moss. Continue until the desired look and organization are obtained (Images 2 and 3).
Step 3: Glue Succulents into Moss
Warm up the hot glue gun. Apply hot glue in little dots around each succulent stalk. To allow the succulent to take root, avoid applying glue to the stem. Until the glue has cooled, press into the moss and hold in place. Continue until the desired look and organization are obtained. Advice: The arrangement will last roughly one month. To protect succulents and moss from drying out, mist them with water. Healthy succulents can be propagated and/or replanted, and moss can be removed from pumpkin.
Live Succulent Pumpkin Centerpiece
Succulents are now popular in gardening and home décor, so your holiday tabletop is the ideal place to use them. To create a striking centerpiece, live succulents are trimmed and used to top off seasonal pumpkins and squash.
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Need moss for succulents?
Sphagnum moss is a valuable planting accessory for succulents. Although it is frequently referred to as peat moss, that isn’t what you need. Dead, decomposed moss is known as peat moss or sphagnum peat. Peat moss sacks for soil conditioning may have been visible to you. Long fiber sphagnum moss is the material we are interested in for our succulent plants.
Sphagnum moss varies in quality. Recently, I called six garden supply stores in a big city in search of long fiber sphagnum moss. No luck at all. At a big box store, I at last discovered a pitiful example of moss. It was a hideous brown color, loaded with sticks, and would only be useful if placed out of sight. I was quite aback by how challenging it was to locate attractive sphagnum moss.
Fresh Oregon sphagnum moss cut from a tree, packaged Oregon green moss, and sphagnum moss purchased from a big-box retailer, from left to right
Sphagnum moss uses Sphagnum moss attracts succulents because it quickly dries out after absorbing a lot of water. This enables the plants to receive the water they require without experiencing rotting problems. Sphagnum moss and succulents go well together in the following ways:
- Succulents can be planted without soil straight in sphagnum moss and grow there. In wall planters where the weight of the soil might be an issue, in terrariums, in wreaths, or anywhere else where the use of soil presents a challenge, soilless planting using moss can be employed. One thing to keep in mind is that sphagnum moss dries out more quickly than soil, so it might need to be watered more frequently and fertilized every now and then.
- Form Building – You will always end up lining the form with sphagnum moss whenever you have a frame (like the wire chicken planter I made earlier). This is evident in succulent topiaries and wreaths. The frame is covered with a thick layer of soggy moss, which is then filled with dirt.
- Secure Plants – Planting in vertical areas offers a challenge because the plants tend to want to fall before their roots are set (such as the cracks in a rock wall or containers). To keep the succulent in place, you can cram moss into the area around its roots.
- Three factors are crucial for soil conditioning: nourishment, drainage, and moisture retention. All of these qualities of soil are improved by sphagnum moss.
- A tuft of fluffy, green sphagnum moss that hangs down the side of the container or pokes out between the succulent plants might serve as the finishing touch to your planting.
A Word About the Sphagnum Moss in Oregon Despite not being actual sphagnum moss, Oregon Green Moss is marketed as such. It shares crucial traits with true Sphagnum moss (absorbs water directly through its leaves and stores the water in the cellular tissue). Numerous individuals, florists, and nurseries employ Oregon Sphagnum Moss for the aforementioned purposes.
Additionally, moss is not living unless you are gathering it directly from the wild. It’s either decorated with it or
will not maintain its green status. Usually, even the lovely green moss starts to turn brown over time and exposure to sunshine. Other colored decorative mosses, whether pink, lime green, or another color, are just ornamental but won’t fade.
What is the ideal growing medium for succulents?
Every soil mixture contains both organic and mineral components. Mineral matter, such as clay, silt, and sand, support soil drainage, whereas organic matter, such as humus and decomposing plant tissue, serves to retain moisture in the soil and give nutrients to the plant.
Because succulents can withstand drought and don’t require constant watering, their potting soil should be permeable, well-draining, and contain less organic matter than typical indoor soil mixtures. Ideal soil is a loose, granular mixture with a good amount of sand and perlite or pumice.
Can wood chips be used to cultivate succulents?
Mulching succulents is a topic of some debate among fans of the plant. Some people advise against mulching in areas where succulents are cultivated because they claim it makes the soil far too damp for them. Others claim that sparingly applying fertilizer is acceptable as long as the succulents are grown in raised beds or on a slope.
Mulching succulent plants in the garden is harmless. Mulching has advantages for manes. However, there is no one solution that works for everyone, and whether or not to mulch succulents might vary depending on your temperature, the position in which they are planted, and the variety of succulents.
What is the ideal environment to grow succulents?
Regular potting soil from your yard won’t work for succulents since they need soil that drains. Select cactus soil or potting soil that has been mixed with sand, pumice, or perlite. Be gentle when repotting because succulent roots are extremely brittle.
What depth of soil is ideal for succulents?
You can add additives to up to three-fourths of your succulent plant soil. Pumice has been used alone in some tests with successful outcomes, however this is in the Philippines, where regular watering is required. Those of us who live in less ideal climates might need to try new things.
Along with coconut coir, pumice, perlite, and Turface, coarse sand is frequently employed (a volcanic product sold as a soil conditioner). For this project, use Turface, and purchase the medium-sized stones. For outdoor succulent beds, expanded shale is used to improve the soil.
Additionally, pumice is a component of the intriguing product Dry Stall Horse Bedding. Some people use this directly into the ground when making a bed for a succulent garden. This product should not be confused with another one named Stall Dry.
Although river rock is occasionally added to the soil, it is more frequently used as a top dressing or decorative element in your garden beds. As an amendment or mulch, horticultural grit or a variant is utilized, just as aquarium gravel.
Consider the layout and have a plan when setting up a succulent garden bed, but be flexible once you start planting. While some sources advise preparing the soil three inches (8 cm) deep, others advise doing so at least six to eight inches (15 to 20 cm) down. When adding outdoor succulent soil to your bed, the deeper, the better.
Create hills and slopes where you can plant various specimens. Elevated planting not only provides your garden bed a unique aspect, but it also elevates the roots of your cacti and succulents even more.