Pod, I washed all my driftwoods when I got them, but will be on the watch for anything that might signal salt content. Purpleinopp, your pots are masterpieces, I don't know whether you studied art but your combinations seem to have well done proportions. My driftwood is an attempt to help with the proportions in my pots while the plants are still little.
Philipwonel oh yes EVERY pot has drainage holes. And I have extremely well draining soil having added perlite and pumice to the soil, and the Lithops are in 75% pumice. The Lithops garden has a layer of black aquarium gravel over the pumice because I thought the Lithops showed up much better on a solid black background.
The Christmas cacti soil has a bit less added perlite but still drains well. And the orchids are mostly in plain leca in fern root bowls with a bit of moss on the surface.
Most of my past gardening was outdoor gardening and I had many roses. I particularly miss the 40 foot hedge of fragrant Louis Philippe, which were around 6 feet tall, that grew from a bunch of little two inch pots. Rose people have a saying, that they would rather have a two dollar rose in a ten dollar hole than a ten dollar rose in a two dollar hole. They are of course referring to preparation, and I think the same principle might be true indoors, that research done and money spent on appropriate soils/pots is worthwhile.
Of course, I realize that there is no substitute for experience. I tread lightly and practically say a prayer any time I even look at the Lithops, and spend a lot of time lurking here and looking at how other people are growing their cacti/succulents.
PS I love Quark.

Thank you @philipwonel for all the useful information. I am new to the succulent world and it's always great to learn the how's and why's. I am interested in starting my own succulent combo pots so I am gathering knowledge and ideas here, so many lovely plants and pot planting creations y'all!

Your Welcome 😀 @Faridat . For info.
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@Lucillle Howdy.
Great !!! Sounds like you'll be successful. Ya didn't need my info at all.😭 Butt, @Faridat found it helpfull. 😀 She's just about to start succulents. I hope she read your soil mixes, above.

Ive got to dive into a couple Lithops myself.

Oh, yes. Quark is pretty cool You a Trekkie too ?
OK, what's the 493rd rule of accusation ???
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Philipwonel said:@Lucillle Howdy.
Great !!! Sounds like you'll be successful. Ya didn't need my info at all.😭 Butt, @Faridat found it helpfull. 😀 She's just about to start succulents. I hope she read your soil mixes, above.

Ive got to dive into a couple Lithops myself.

Oh, yes. Quark is pretty cool You a Trekkie too ?
OK, what's the 493rd rule of accusation ???
😎😎😎

I am so glad you posted that info, so all can see, and it is good info cuz I'm a newbie. I appreciate you did that and keep on please because I want my little garden to do well, and to live long and prosper.
I love Star Trek.

Some pots assembled recently.

NICE JOB on the "hardscape" Lucille! They look fabulous . It really does make all the difference.

Most "drift wood" you buy never gets anywhere near the ocean- most of it has never even gotten wet! I am a long time aquascaper and most drift wood you can buy is just dragged out of a forest/brush pile somewhere. Driftwood from the ocean is typically single length pieces really smooth around the edges- (all the interesting branchy parts break off in the surf- there's a reason they use "sand paper" for carpentry).

Its a good tip to remind people that ocean water (or anything that's been soaked in it) will contain salt that can kill plants so vigilance is required, but most doesn't come from salt water- oceans are just way to rough to cough up pieces this interesting.

Some current shots.






Getting plants to completely surround & cover a pot, even when the pot is covered with holes on the sides, takes a LOT of cuttings. It's time to cut some of these stems short & use their tops to fill more holes.

This was FUN to make! Wire thingie full of cuttings.

Very pretty! How did you get the roots through on the outside ones? Did you cut holes?

TYVM! The sides are wire mesh, and none of the stems have any roots yet, except 2 Echeveria harmsii and 1 Kalanchoe hildebrandtii. The holes on the sides are big enough for Sedum kimnachii stems. Soon I will add Portulaca umbraticola stems under the Sedum and on the sides.

Tiffany :
👍😀 Great wire ching-a-daro !
Ta Ta 🕵️
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Tiffany I love it! Looks great!

TYVM! I watered that yesterday for the first time.

A neighbor had put this handy rack to the curb & said, "Yes, take it please." So it's in my greenhouse, holding a group of smaller group pots. I know, some of the pots are kind of dirty, from rain-splashed sand/grit. They are temporary, please try to just see the plants. :+)





Go, cuttings, go! I hope these make it!!

Nice curb find! You've got a lot of great plants coming along.

IKR! It's so sturdy, and the wire shelves don't block any light. AND it folds up flat, and the back legs are wheels, easy to move. Oh, and one more bonus, the wire shelves are kind of sticky from some kind of self-stick vinyl flooring pieces that were thrown away as soon as I got it home. Little pots don't easily, accidentally scoot off of the supporting wires if I reach past. This bonus feature probably won't last, dust will stick but for now, it's noticed & appreciated. Don't tell them I would have paid up to $25 for such a treasure.

great find. I'd have snatch it up too. And good looking cuttings, also.

A couple of updates.

What great ideas Tiffany! I love the mesh planter!