Aug 2019 Jhb West

Succ
cculents
co
me
in many
shapes
es, si
ze
s and
colo
ur
s. Bri
ng
the
omb
mbre
tr
en
d to your ga
rden
by
disp
spla
layi
ng a bed of succul
ents
arra
rang
nged
by colo
ur
spect
rum.
Th
is arr
rran
ange
ment
wou
ould
work
wel
ell as a tab
ableto
top
de
co
rati
on or a piece
of wal
l art.
SUCCULENT SUCCESS
Not all plants are high maintenance ... In fact, some are happier if you leave them
alone and water them less often! Succulents are those plants ...
Avoid killing your succulents
LIGHT: You’d think that cacti and other
plants that are found naturally in hot,
dry climates would like as much sun
as possible. Not quite. Try to find spots
where your succulents are close to a light
source, but not in the hottest direct sun,
which can burn tender, fleshy leaves. Play
around with your pots and take notice of
which succulents do best in certain spots.
You’ll know if your plant isn’t getting
enough light because it will ‘stretch’
toward the light, with leggy, long stems
that look like they’re leaning. You can
avoid this by moving your plant closer
to the light and/ or rotating the pot now
and then to expose both sides.
WATER & DRAINAGE: We’ve all heard that
succulents don’t require as much water
as other plants. And over-watering can
indeed be a problem, because succulents
store water in their fleshy stems and
leaves. Too much water can cause plants
to rot. But less water doesn’t mean no
water. Your succulents need a little love
24 Get It Joburg West August 2019
to flourish. For smaller pots, water about
once a week, or when the soil feels dry.
For larger pots, about once every two
weeks, or when the soil feels dry. If your
pots have drainage, put them in the
sink or tub and give them a good soak.
You can skip moving your plants if they
have a tray or dish for runoff. If your pots
don’t have drainage holes (think antique
wooden crates, coffee cups or terrariums),
give them a drink, enough to wet the soil
without water pooling at the top.
SOIL: Succulents need soil that drains,
so regular potting soil or dirt from your
garden won’t do. Mix potting soil with
sand, pumice, or perlite. The key to the
success of any soil mix for succulents is
crumbly structure. To test your soil mix,
moisten it and then squeeze with your
hands: the mixture should not form a
lump, but instead should crumble loosely.
!
If you notice large gaps on the stem
in between the leaves, your succulent
isn’t getting enough light. Move it to
a sunnier position.
Succulents love the
direct sun, but if yours
are sitting in the same
spot day after day, it’s
probable that only
one side is getting
enough light. Rotate
the plants often.
Succulents will lean
towards the sun, so
rotating them
will help them stand
up straight.