Succulents

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Apple Milkweed

This very unusual succulent is a type of Stapeliad in the milkweed family Apocynaceae, and is native to Southern Africa, from central Botswana into south-western Namibia. It can also be found under an older name of Trichocaulon meloformis. It is a slow growing species of relatively easy culture, water normally in the growing season, but do not overwater (very wet-sensitive, especially in light of its small root system). Water thoroughly only if soil is dry to the touch, let soil dry in between to prevent root rot, keep dry in the winter with ample airflow. It should be planted in a well draining cactus type soil. During the spring it may be able to take full sun until the heat arrives at the end of spring. In an area that has hot afternoon sun, it may be able to take full morning sun, but requires afternoon shade or afternoon light shade. If grown correctly, it will have generous displays of flowers in the summer. It is quite frost resistant if kept dry, hardy as low as -5° C (23° F).

By | 2016-02-27T18:53:06-08:00 February 27th, 2016|Succulents|0 Comments
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Hens And Chicks House Leeks

European in origin and are mostly hardy to Zone 4. Sempervivum is a succulent evergreen perennial rosette with an outstanding ability to survive cold and dryness. The plants have a noticeable progression of color changes throughout the year, and are monocarpic. This means each "mother" rosette will flower and die, but they normally produce several generations of "chicks" before that happens. There are approximately 40 known species and they all apparently are capable of easily crossbreeding (hybridizing) with each other. This ability and including natural mutations and variations within the species has resulted in well over 3,000 varieties! Well draining soil is a must as they will not tolerate roots sitting in water for any length of time. They need full to part sun, and in areas where extreme summer temperatures are experienced, some light shade is beneficial during the hottest part of the day. Water thoroughly when you do, and don't water again until the soil has become fairly dry.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:23-07:00 February 25th, 2016|Succulents|0 Comments
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Wax Plant Hoya Wayetii

Blooms readily, easy care, and adaptability are all traits for this plant. It will in all likelihood be mislabeled as Hoya kentiana which is very similar but not very common to run it to. This succulent vine is native to the Philippines and has dark pink to maroon-purple, fuzzy ball-shaped flowers, which are sweetly fragrant and so shiny they appear to be made of wax. The fragrance is very sweet like butterscotch and the flowers last about 5-6 days. The leaves get beautiful reddish edges if grown in higher light or some direct afternoon sun. Plant in a rich, very well-draining soil, provide very bright light to part sun. Water the hoya by drenching the soil. Let it dry out to ½" below the surface before watering again during the growing season. Reduce water frequency during the fall and winter allowing the soil to dry out almost completely between waterings. Spring bloom production will be enhanced by drier winter conditions. Protect from frost.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:23-07:00 February 24th, 2016|Succulents|0 Comments
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Variegated Smooth Agave

A medium sized upright agave that forms an upright urn-shaped rosette with 3' long by 4" wide leaves terminating in sharp reddish-brown spines. The leaves are bright green with yellow variegation along the margins. It is highly regarded as a landscape plant because of its color, shape, smaller stature, and the fact that the spines are minute or nonexistent along the margins. It is quick growing and often produces many offsets. Plant in full sun. Drought tolerant. Hardy to around 25° F and a little lower for short durations. Prefers well-draining soil but tolerates most types. After blooming the main plant will die but usually leaves behind many new "pups" that form around the base. The flowers on the flower spike also very readily produce "bulbils" which are small plants instead of where there would normally be seed pods. There can be hundreds of these on a spike and they can all be planted as a new plant.

By | 2016-02-24T05:02:52-08:00 February 24th, 2016|Succulents|0 Comments
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Powder Puff Snowball Cactus

Native to San Luis Potosi, Mexico, is a soft-bodied globe cactus that is densely covered with white hairlike radial spines, giving the appearance of woolly "snowballs". Globular stems are usually to 3" to 4" in diameter, with cinnamon-colored hooked central spines and dense white hairlike radials, forming clusters readily. Flowers are creamy yellow with a pinkish midstripe, profusely appearing in rings for many months. Flowers are followed by attractive long tubular bright pink "fruits" which contain the seed. As this plant normally grows on rocky inclines, it requires extra drainage, such as can be achieved with the addition of more pumice or perlite to the soil mix. For this reason, it is best to water this plant thoroughly, but water a bit less frequently than other cacti. Water with caution in winter, as the plant can lose its roots if the soil stays cold and wet for extended periods. Refrain from watering on overcast days. Prefers bright light and ample airflow. Protect from frost.

By | 2016-02-23T02:52:06-08:00 February 23rd, 2016|Succulents|0 Comments
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Slipper Plant Gallito

Pedilanthus macrocarpus comes from the Sonoran Desert of northwestern Mexico, including central Baja California and Sonora. An unusual attractive slow growing succulent plant that remains mostly leafless, or with tiny, inconspicuous leaves. Instead of leaves it has erect 1/2" thick lime-green stems that rise up to 3' tall, sometimes taller in the shade, arching or bending outwards under their own weight. In mid-summer into fall (in the desert people note in spring as well) the unusual orange-red slipper-shaped flowers, which are also described as bird shaped (Gallito - Little Rooster), appear along the stems and are often followed by reddish fruit. Plant in full sun in cool coastal climates but looks best if given some light shade in hot inland climates. Requires very little irrigation even in containers where watering every 2 to 3 weeks is sufficient. Plants are hardy to short duration temperatures to the mid 20s F but do best in near frost free gardens and can suffer stem tip damage below 30 F.

By | 2016-02-22T22:40:44-08:00 February 22nd, 2016|Succulents|0 Comments
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Plush Plant

Echeveria harmsii, native to Mexico, is a shrub-like Echeveria with lance shaped green leaves covered densely with hairs. In cold weather, leaves blush rose-red and look like red velvet. Bright orange flowers are amongst the largest for the genus. Excellent color for holiday wreaths, rock gardens and dish gardens. In habitat, many Echeverias grow on rocky outcroppings at higher altitudes. In this habitat, the water drains quickly away from the roots of the plant, never allowing the plant to remain waterlogged. For this reason, it is essential in cultivation to use a very porous soil, which will allow quick drainage. Full sun to very bright light is required to prevent "stretching" of Echeverias ("stretching" occurs when a moderately fast growing plant such as an Echeveria, is grown in dim light or over-fertilized, which causes overly lush growth that contributes to weak, pallid plants). Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch. Protect from frost.

By | 2016-02-22T02:09:28-08:00 February 22nd, 2016|Succulents|0 Comments
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Echeveria Purpusorum

Native to slopes of Puebla, Mexico, forms a rigid rosette of nearly-triangular dark green leaves with reddish-brown markings and a silvery overlay. Excellent as a windowsill plant. In habitat, many Echeverias grow on rocky outcroppings at higher altitudes. In this habitat, the water drains quickly away from the roots of the plant, never allowing the plant to remain waterlogged. For this reason, it is essential in cultivation to use a very porous soil, which will allow quick drainage. Full sun to very bright light is required to prevent “stretching” of Echeverias (“stretching” occurs when a moderately fast growing plant such as an Echeveria, is grown in dim light or over-fertilized, which causes overly lush growth that contributes to weak, pallid plants). Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch. Protect from frost. E. purpusorum is a highly variable plant in terms of leaf shape, color and markings.

By | 2016-02-21T06:44:03-08:00 February 21st, 2016|Succulents|1 Comment
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Jade Plant

Your plant is likely a variety of jade plant, Crassula species, a popular succulent. Grows well indoors in bright indirect light or outdoors in full or partial sun, but does not tolerate freezing temperatures. As a plant water when the soil feels dry down to the first knuckle. Do not over-water. It typically flowers in late winter/spring season. If in a container, make sure the container has drainage holes. Do not allow plant to sit in water as this may lead to root rot. The beauty of most succulents, is they can be propagated from cuttings easily. Allow the cutting to callus over in about 3-5 days, then place in moistened vermiculite and keep at temperatures around 70-75 degrees F. For more information on propagating from root cuttings, visit sites such as the following:
How to Make Jade Plant Cuttings Grow | Home Guides | SF Gate
homeguides.sfgate.com/make-jade-plant-cuttings-grow-46647.html‎

By | 2016-02-18T05:05:56-08:00 February 18th, 2016|Succulents|0 Comments
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Donkey Ears Mules Ears

A fast growing succulent perennial from rocky areas of northwestern Madagascar that grows to 12"-18" tall and wide with leaves that can be enormous, from 12"-20" long. The leaves are bronze-green covered with a waxy white covering to look overall gray-green and splotched with maroon-brown blotches. These leaves often have small plantlets developing along the leaf margin. The flower spike begins to rise in fall to grow to a 2'-3' tall stalk that branches near the top with several clusters of pale peach-colored buds that darken and become the calyces holding the darker reddish-salmon petals with flared tips and yellow interior. The whole flowering process lasts nearly 2 months at which point the “mother plant” declines but the many plantlets on the leaves develop rapidly to bloom within 2 to 3 years. Great in a hanging baskets or as a specimen or mass planted in a dry garden. Plant in full sun to partial shade.

By | 2016-02-17T04:11:59-08:00 February 17th, 2016|Succulents|0 Comments
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