Suzy Schaefer's succulent gardening in Rancho Santa Fe "saved us our home," she stated to me (and the national media )...). Suzy, Robert Dean, and their garden of aloes agaves, and other plants---created by Suzy, surrounds the Southwest-style home. This garden is located adjacent to a canyon, which is palm-, and eucalyptus-filled. If it seems absurd to legislate the use of succulents as landscape plants, it likely won't be necessary. You need to be able to make a fire-wise landscape. Check out this post for more tutorials and ideas for succulent wedding favors. You need to ensure your Spear Head is receiving water only when it is needed. Before you water, make sure you check the soil moisture. To ensure your Saguaro receives enough water, inspect the Saguaro’s exterior pleats. Before adding more water to your soil, ensure it is dry at least 2 – 3 inches below surface.

You won't be able to get the right soil for this kind of plant if your container doesn't allow water to drain. So make sure your container has drainage holes, or you can add them if necessary. It's a great way to add plant life to your space and doesn't require you to spend all your time caring for it. Once the baby plant grows in size and the mother leaf begins to wither, it's time for the succulent to be transplanted into its own pot. To prevent a cactus from drying out, be sure to carefully care for it when it is transplanted into a clay pot. Echeveria that has been propagated recently doesn't need as much attention as the mother plant. It is immune to more pests and diseases. They can be easily propagated by cuttings, seeds or offsets. Readily available agaves, aeoniums, elephant's food, aloes, jade, and ironically-named 'Sticks best grow lights on amazon Fire' propagate easily from pups and cuttings, are low-water and low-maintenance, and when combined, create a gorgeous garden. Suzy Schaefer filled her garden with them using cuttings. How to get my Top Six Firewise Succulents.

Tens of thousands, possibly even millions of California homeowners are interested in knowing if Camille and Suzy's stories were just luck or if succulents saved their homes. There is more to be done, and you can help by sharing your knowledge. You can use it to control a wide variety of pests. But, it is worth doing some research about the pests you're working with. While some species require special care to ensure their survival, many others can thrive with minimal attention. They require a well-draining potting mixture and bright light. A few potting mixes also contain lime to balance pH if alkaline soil is required. Mix only the amount you intend on using. Although it is possible for the African Milk Tree to be propagated using seeds, it is very difficult and uncertain. Although using succulents as firebreak plants can help to protect properties in wildfire-prone zones, it is not my intention to suggest that succulents will be the solution. I also don't wish to profit off of others suffering.

Newcomer claims that succulents saved his nursery from wildfires 10 years ago. Don Newcomer, owner of Serra Gardens, a succulent specialty nursery that operated in Malibu for 25 years and will soon relocate south to Fallbrook for business reasons. OR, you can simply mix half-and-half bagged soil from any garden center or nursery with pumice (see below). Gary Lyons is the Huntington Botanical Gardens' curator of the desert collection. He has been vocal about his desire to see succulents used for perimeter plantings in residential areas. Lyons' newcomer is keen to see homeowner associations or similar groups offer cuttings of Aloe arbescens to residents in a community service. Aloe arborescens saved a vulnerable part of the Schaefer house. Did Succulents Save Her Home? Numerous succulents are found in this region. The climate here is similar to California's southern coast. Do some mix better than others?

Diana Clark, a San Diego designer, believes potted plants look better when placed on stands. She sometimes orders custom-made stands to enhance her succulent designs. Dr. Newton, a geriatrician that often has to deal with death-and-life situations, is not a sensationalist. The cactus can also be grown outdoors in colder areas. Cactus obsession has led me to view hundreds of Youtube videos showing how to care for them. My two videos featuring Camille sharing her story and gardening tips are worth your time. Notice: The devastating wildfires in CA that struck 2017 reminded me of 2007 when my husband was evacuated with our dogs. We were unsure if we would have a place to return to after three horrible days. I have a few of these plants growing vigorously, all grown from stem cuttings. Since completing the course, my succulent growing skills have improved greatly. I was even able keep one alive in an un-draining container.