Oh My!! I can't believe they have so many succulents!!! That would be so overwhelming to me. But so neat to see how much people really love these plants. Hopefully I will become a good mommy to mine soon. I think they are doing better already.




On the other hand these dont seem to be doing all that well nor do I know what they are lol....




Question? Wouldnt putting in the lava rock tend to hold more moisture when mixed into the potting mix? Just curious.

By larva rock do you mean pumice? If so I guess that it would initially draw the water out of the soil and hold it inside its pores (to the point of saturation of the rock) , then release it as the soil starts to dry out. Kind of like vermiculite does, except thats mica based. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong though, that's just a guess.

Kate I think that's right! I don't know the science of it, I only know that it does seem to "dry" up the soil.
Jackie, the bottom 2 plants look like some type of Aeonium, they are lovers of warmth!! Mine always seem more finicky, but if you can keep them alive a few months they bounce back and do fine! (especially once you're in May and temps are warm enough for outdoors!)

I think both of you are correct on the pumice. I really like using it for my succulent pots. I do very little watering of the tender succulents, pretty much let them dry out before watering again. But each situation is different.

The only one I recognize is Crassula ovata 'Gollum'. I love it, and seldom water it. Very drought tolerant, and for me it is a slow grower.

So I realize now that I mostly have all tender succulents which probably isn't the best thing for me living in Michigan since they wont survive all winter long outside. I guess I should now concentrate on getting more hardy semps and adding those to my collection. I now have an Elephant Plant and have re-potted my Aeoniums in separate pots because I know realize with the help of Bev that they get quite tall compared to other succulents and should go in their own containers. Here is what we have so far. I also picked up some lava pebbles along and mixed that with Cactus and Succulent Mix and Miracle Grow Mix. I added some pea gravel on top and really hope that I have figured out this drainage problem that I seem to have when planting my succulents. No more Root Rot lol. This newbie is trying










Also have added a Jade and put that in a pot by itself as well.

Great job Jackie. Isn't learning new things fun.

They look great!

Thank you Kate and Lynn!!! Its a bit confusing my Im taking notes

Jackie they look great! I love your pots and "additions" like the bunnies and elephant!! How beautiful! I too decided to go with more cold succulents because I seem to be right on a line between zone 7 and 8, so most zone 8 things are fine, but every now and then we have a cold year and things don't make it!
Its fun to have plants that go outside in summer, you are able to fill up an outside space with plants and pots and its instantly more homey and welcoming!
I think you'll continue to enjoy these guys! Just keep a mantra going in your head - succulents, winter, no water...succulents, winter, no water

lol Thanks Greg!!! My hubby actually wanted the bunnies and he had found that elephant at a thrift shop when we were out and about one day and says I must keep a plant in it. I barely water them now and they seem to be a lot happier with me. I am going to go and get a fluorescent bulb for them. It is going to be the CFL bulbs. Any recommendations for which ones succulents need? I was reading and I think they prefer full spectrum and cool bulbs. As for how many lumens and what wattage im a little unsure of. I think they were saying around 30w per square foot but many sites say different things. I have a glass stand in my living room which was my mothers and it has 4 shelves on them right in front of a north window. I know that isn't the best window but it only looks good right there. I have most of my succulents on this stand and have two little fixtures that have little clamps on them that I wanted to put the fluorescent bulbs in to shine on them since they probably don't get enough light as is. Here is a picture of it. I'm switching plants around according to there needs as well. I will shine two of those little clamp on lights to two of the shelves to shine down on them and just need to know which CFL to purchase as I am going to the hardware store today.








This is it Sorry for the crappy pictures but the sun is making it hard to get a decent shot of it. I welcome any suggestions

Sorry I'm not seeing this until just now...I use the cheapest with the highest lumins, which at a regular store is around 2000 maybe? or 1600, I don't even go by wattage, for these CFL lights, just the lumins, and if you can get "daylight" or full spectrum...either way, they'll respond to whatever light you give them!! Its just more efficient to have the higher lumin bulbs!
I love your shelf! Looks great!!! You're becoming a plant mommy! And I like that your hubby is sharing in the fun, looking for planters and stands!

Thank you Greg!! I have them under lights now so I will see how they do. Yes, my hubby fully supports my new hobby and loves to help me out....So far he says Im not going overboard yet. Says my plants make the house look nicer

That's perfect!! Sounds like an "OK" for getting even more crazy! Kidding!
I hope your plants respond! Growing them indoors in a north facing window under lights can sometimes be exactly what they want!! Also think about adding something for airflow during the summer, a small fan or something!

Greg, Yes I will keep it on the warmer side in the house and have some really nice fans already. Thanks for all your help. And yes it is very hard to stop once you've started being a succulent parent

Especially each year there's something different - "year"?? Heck month!! I bought more semps today but didn't take a photo, will do so tomorrow afternoon!
I'm loving the semps!

Awesome be sure to share pictures with us!! I love em'

I will tomorrow!

Look at these cute planters
http://www.gardeners.com/on/de...

Very cute Jennifer! I like those.

Nice Jennifer!