What should you do if your cat accidentally ingests a poisonous succulent? It has the same requirements as a succulent wreath. You need to provide bright light but not too intense. Rotate the plant every other week to ensure even exposure. Water from the top of the plant to evenly moisten the roots. If the cuttings become leggy, pinch back. Showers can be nice, but they are not very helpful for succulents. Although it sounds strange, we promise you that it is delicious and has many health benefits. It's tempting to make the tree look a lot more colorful than it actually is. Look out for a newsletter about these succulents that is becoming increasingly popular. You will notice the interesting dotted- and speckled succulents I have in some of these photos. And when you post photos on social media, kindly tag yours truly! You can use the photos for your season’s greetings by taking pictures of the results. You are welcome to download these photos and use them as long as the photo credit is intact.

I think the crystal corsage pins (second photo below) hit just the right note. Plus the florist's pins rust. The best leaf to propagate is the one that has red roots. Hairy roots in cacti are usually short-lived. These are three ideas for succulent holidays. Stay away from blue, blue-gray and lavender succulents because those aren't holiday colors---unless of course that's what you prefer. The DIY succulent topiary Christmas centerpiece is easier to care for than a traditional floral arrangement. It will also last longer if well maintained. The severity and type of problem will determine which method works best. Echeverias thrive in protected areas among rocks. These plants can be hardy in an open garden but are easier to grow in pots. These "vignettes", which are optional, offer an opportunity to express your creativity, make your garden more enjoyable, and give visitors delightful surprises. His pots are available at the gift shop and the annual two-day Cactus & Succulent Show in April. Jim is an active volunteer at the South Coast Botanic Garden, where he has been a member for many years.

These serpentine beds break up flower drifts visually and lead the eyes into the garden. The stalks of flowers can be used to propagate new plants. Therefore, the best place for growing aloe vera is on a window sill or any other area where it can get at least five or six hours of sunlight a day. No matter how well we take care of our plants, sometimes Mother Nature gets the best of us. It is both a desirable habitat and a wonderful place to view large specimens. The increased Calcium benefits succulents and the oystershells help to regulate the soil pH. As your plant gets more established, you may not be seeing much of the soil. Therefore, be patient and resist temptation to add a soil topper. See if they don't deserve a place in your own collection!

It was wonderful to see Jan and Jim again. Jackie Johnson, president and founder of the Peninsula Garden Club made it possible for me to visit their garden and give a presentation about Designing with Succulents. Root rot can also occur with succulents or cacti if they are overwatered. If that seems far-reaching as well, you can go for well water, creek water, pond water or lake water. Also noteworthy in the garden are dry creek beds that double as pathways. A dry creek bed of river cobbles funnels rainwater into the garden. It needs to be poured thoroughly and allowed to dry completely before watering again. Before watering again, wait until the soil has dried completely. I give them water and leave them alone until my next watering. Some species may not flower for more than 20+ years. Others might take many decades to reach full bloom. While it's not difficult to grow the plant in the desert, you will need to be more careful when trying to grow the plant indoors. Deana Rae explains, "It was great fun to go shopping for gravel and rocks." This topiary cone with cuttings inserted into the moss needs less care than a floral arrangement and lasts much longer.

Pat Hammer, an expert on succulent topiaries, shows how to create one starting with a wire frame filled with moss and cuttings. Pat provides helpful tips on how to design, DIY and water. This improves the overall design and makes the front yard look larger. It also makes it easier to maintain what is sometimes called a hell strip. These river rocks add to the overall design by adding texture and pleasing shapes. Lampranthus deltoides, at the upper left, extends the blue and lends texture. The bloom of a low-water salvia (upper right) adds flower color to the scene and creates a soft-textured, mounding background. Lance-leaved Agave lophantha 'Quadricolor' (center) contrasts with curvier plants: ripple jade plant types (upper right), Euphorbia mammilaris (lower middle) and a crested myrtillocactus (center left). It's fine to plant a pot in a garden. For example, the large terracotta box at left with Crassula mini jade, Kalanchoe lauriae and Portulacaria araria 'Variegata is. It's one of the few succulents that's invasive in friable soil, but in a parkway strip like this, it can't get into trouble. "Outside," he continues, "I trimmed them too vigorously and killed the lavenders. That's how it happened." He points out a streetside greenery brimming full of aeoniums.

Jim used succulent euphorbias in his herbicide application to control invasive grasses years ago. Jim created many of the containers. He spent 30 years as an internist at Kaiser South Bay Medical Center and later became an artist-potter. Wooden planters aren't always the best as they are susceptible to rotting and weathering just like other organic materials. Consuming this succulent can prove to be dangerous. To avoid that, it is strongly advised that you use hanging planters or containers. Actually, the succulent spreads and makes the area look better. You should choose an area that receives full sun or partial shade so your succulents can get at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. Rubbing alcohol, or isopropyl ethanol can be used directly to kill pests on succulents. Small succulents include echeverias.

Jim makes it look effortless to grow 20-foot tree Aloes, tall epidendrums, and large deuterochonias (a sofa-sized, colony-forming Bromeliad) but like any avid biophile, Jim has made his fair share of mistakes. They are easy to care for and will add life to any succulent garden. The breathable nature ensures your hands are cool and sweat-free even on the hottest summer days. 2. Use a sharp knife or your hands if you can, to remove the offset and roots from the main tree. Succulents are a great choice for weddings. 1. Get cuttings from your garden, potted plants, nursery-grown succulents or online sources. Given the popularity of these bunny cacti plants, you might have luck in finding these in your local nurseries anyways. Tropicals and succulents have thrived in this mild, maritime climate for as long as nurseries have offered them. You can even buy an 8-ounce bottle with an empty spray bottle to mist your beloved succulents with water.