Being a container enthusiast and a plant junkie, I occasionally come across a pot that I just must have (yes, without a doubt!) that doesn’t have a hole in the bottom. Drilling holes or planting with a lot of drainage materials are your two possibilities.
I routinely drill drainage holes into the bottom of pots to add or make them. The shiny red one has a fairly thick bottom, and I didn’t want to risk it splitting. My Hatiora, also known as Dancing Bones or Drunkard’s Dream, initially inspired me to work on this project.
It was past time to plant this epiphytic cactus because it had only recently been sitting in its grow pot within the ornamental one. In a year or two, I’ll need to repot it, but for now, it’s good.
Update: After spending over 5 years in this red pot, it was recently repotted into a pot with a foot made of terra cotta and one sizable drain hole. It is depicted in the video. So long as you supply drainage materials and hydrate them appropriately, succulents in pots without drain holes can survive.
How deep should a dish of succulents be?
Almost any container with drainage holes at the bottom and a depth of at least 4 inches is suitable for growing succulents. For upright succulents, pick a pot that is approximately 1/2 inch larger than the plant’s base. Place spreading or trailing succulents, like holiday cacti, in a pot that is an inch bigger than the original one. A loose soil that drains easily is necessary for succulents. Use cactus and succulent potting soil that is sold in stores, or make your own by combining one part coarse builder’s sand, five parts perlite, and four parts ordinary potting soil. To keep moisture away from the crown and stop decay, cover the soil with a layer of small river rocks or aquarium gravel.
Succulents can be grown in wooden containers, right?
This project is for you if your yard has a pile of logs that you need for firewood or other purposes. Succulents or other small plants thrive in this shallow wood log planter, which also makes a striking outdoor display. It is constructed out of a genuine wooden log and was carved out using a drill press, hole saw, and chisel. The best part is that this project can be completed in an afternoon or less for less than $40, making it one of our favorite wood log crafts.
How to hollow out a log
Choose a log that you like to start with. We picked a log with some character, some moss, and some discolouration. The fact that it is dry and not moist in the middle is crucial in this situation. Then, there are numerous techniques from which to choose in order to hollow out the wood log. There are two methods you can pick from: using a chainsaw to cut out the center or drilling holes with a Forstner bit and then using a chisel to remove the edges. However, because we used a hardwood, we decided to use a 3-in. diameter hole saw in a drill press to carve out the center of our log planter.
Stabilize the Wood Log
Locate the log’s most stable position, then fasten the base side to a board. The length and width of this wood board should be slightly larger than the log. The board should then be fastened to the log using long screws. In order for your hole saw cuts to be consistently parallel across the wood log, it is crucial to position the log further back on the wood board so that it may ride against the drill press fence. However, provide enough space so the log won’t be pressing up against the fence, peeling the bark off in the process. When cutting through the log with a hole saw and drill press, the board on the log will help support the log.
Cut Into the Wood Log
It’s a good idea to approximately mark the area where the opening will be before you start cutting into the log. We calculated that the opening should contain two inches of bark on either side. Clamp the log firmly to the drill press table so that you can begin carving the wood. We sliced into the timber with a 3-in. diameter hole saw in a drill press. To get the length of the aperture you want for the log planter, make a series of overlapping cuts with the hole saw as deep as it will go. We’ll need to make a second pass after roughly chiseling out this top layer of hole saw cuts because the maximum depth for our hole saw was 1-1/2 in. and the necessary depth for the planter aperture is 3 in.
Carve Out Planter Opening
When the hole saw has finished its work, use a chisel and a mallet or hammer to remove the cuts. The most time-consuming step is rounding the corners, but since the log planter will be stuffed with soil and succulents nonetheless, it doesn’t have to be flawless. Avoiding chipping off the bark is the hardest issue here.
Add Charcoal to the Base of the Planter
The base of the wood log planter should be equally covered with a layer of activated charcoal. Most garden centers sell activated charcoal, which aids with air filtering. This drainage layer assists in preventing root and log rot caused by too much water remaining in the soil.
Plant Your Succulents
Transfer the succulents to their new location in the wood log planter by removing them from their plastic containers. To give the planter visual interest and dimension, we selected succulents in a range of textures, heights, colors, and widths. When purchasing succulents from your neighborhood garden center, decide and prepare the appearance you want to achieve.
Add Soil
Add extra dirt around the plants so they won’t move once all of your succulents have been placed in their ideal spots. After carefully patting the earth around the plant with your hands, water the succulents. Because it offers succulent plants excellent soil structure and drainage, we utilized cactus mix potting soil.
Additionally, it’s crucial to keep in mind that succulents don’t thrive in soggy soil, so avoid overwatering your plant. Never water the succulent when the soil is damp or moist; just water it when the earth is dry. And if you’re concerned about overwatering your plant, fill the base of your planter with stones or gravel to allow for drainage (like mentioned in step 5).
Finishing Up Your Log Planter
This succulent log planter can be given as a present, but construct one for yourself as well. They look fantastic as the focal point of a patio table or as window sill decor. Check out these 14 succulent decorating ideas for your home right away!
How frequently 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.
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 To Grow Succulents | Succulent Plant Care Info
Sempervivum, Jovibaraba, and Sedum are winter-hardy plants that can grow in zones 3–9.
Light:
The majority of succulent species require from half a day to a full day of direct sunlight. It is advised to find some afternoon shade in particularly hot places. Succulents planted in excessive shadow will extend outward in search of more sunlight. Enough sunlight will help succulents grow into gorgeous, vibrant plants.
Planting:
Plants should be gently removed from their containers and planted, making that the soil level is maintained at the same depth as it was in the container.
Keep in mind that most of our plants came straight from the cold frames where they were shielded from the harsh sun and drying winds. For the first week, give your plants and garden décor some shade and cover to gradually adapt them. Every few days, extend the length of the day by a few hours. This will make it possible for a smooth transition.
A layer of pebbles or pea gravel sprinkled on the soil surrounding the plant will be beneficial to your succulents. Additionally, it is highly ornamental.
Soil:
Succulents require soil with good drainage. Make sure the place has good drainage and is not in a low region that would remain wet before planting in the garden. You can buy cactus soil for container gardening or add sand, gravel, or volcanic rock to your potting soil for enhanced drainage. You should have a drainage hole in the container you are using for planting, or you can fill the bottom of the container with crushed rock before adding the planting medium. Spreading gravel or tiny pebbles on top of the ground can add a lot of style.
Watering:
After planting, water the area thoroughly and wait a short while before watering again. Wet feet bother succulents, who don’t like them. Water whatever you do thoroughly. They will require less water once they are established.
Fertilizer:
Succulents generally require relatively little fertilizer. During the growing season, they only require monthly watering and a balanced fertilizer.
Flowering:
Each type of sedum blooms at a different period and in a variety of pink, red, and yellow hues.
After the second or third year, Sempervivums will flower. From the middle of the main rosette, which has a cluster of flowers, a flower stalk will emerge. Sempervivum blooms are open, starry, and typically pink. They are carried above the plant on a stem with several blossoms. Fortunately, there are always chicks born earlier from the base that grow in a ring around the mother plant to continue for subsequent years. The monocarpic crown that generates the flower head dies off after flowering. Twist the stalk off gently once the blossom fades, then plant a chick where it was.
Winter maintenance:
Typically, established succulents in the garden do not require winter protection. Snow frequently provides protection for chilly locations. Balsam boughs can be used as a light winter mulch in cold climates without snow cover, but this is typically not necessary.
Shipping:
When your plants are delivered, gently open the package as soon as possible. Once you have unpacked your things, water your plants properly and let them drain well because we ship plants on the dry side. Early-spring shipping succulents could have some dry edges and a lackluster appearance. This is typical, and their color will deepen when exposed to sunlight. Sempervivums change color with the seasons, and each variety has a certain time of year when it is at its most vibrant.
Uses:
Succulents can be used in countless planting scenarios. The most interesting containers and troughs are those with a variety of colors, textures, and behaviors. Succulents make lovely plants for rock gardens. There is always color since there are so many different bloom times.
What occurs if a planter’s drainage hole is missing?
Uses for Pots without Drain Holes In those pots lacking drainage holes, some professionals advise placing a layer of stones as a form of drainage layer. Using this method, extra water can drain into the area between the pebbles rather than onto the soil and into the plant’s roots.
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.