My half-acre garden's largest succulent was the Agave americana "Big Blue". It had six-foot tall leaves and sharp teeth. It looked like it could eat guests who took selfies with it. I enjoyed watching how the agave’s gutted leaves funnel water to its roots every spring. Every spring, I was responsible for removing the fallen acacia flower from the center. I recorded the agave being removed in October. The 30-foot flower spike of the agave was buzzing with bees that summer. Big Blue's sailboat-mast spike, which was leaning toward the street at a 45 degree angle, wasn't an option. Big Blue broke a pipe, which was hidden beneath barbed leaf. They require fast-draining soil. Topdress with soil. The type of soil used to plant succulents will determine how much or how few water they retain. It was seven years ago that I published my first book on succulents. That meant I still had much to learn about agaves. This tendency for century plants to reproduce like feral dogs was probably why my neighbors put it out in the trash in the first place. Haworthias are small to medium-sized succulents that closely resemble aloe plants in appearance.

If the water appears cloudy or dirty, it is important to change the original source on where to buy succulents water frequently. Although some plants may be more delicate than others they should maintain a strong appearance. There's no stopping an agave from dying after it flowers, so you might as well enjoy the show. Find out how to identify your plant from before it flowers on my Agave page. Agave americana is commonly called "century plant" because it seems to take forever to flower and die, but Big Blue's lifespan was only 20 years. This is a sign you have been a successful grower over the years. The Crown of Thorns plant only requires repotting every 2-3 years because it is a slow grower. It is best to water them every 2-3 days before you bring them in. Terracotta pots retain excess moisture in the soil. This can either be a good or a bad thing depending how you water them. Some little rascals were able to root through the pot holes. Sometimes large holes are possible in pots.

I have succulents that are in pots with no drain holes. They thrive and do well. You should notice such a thing in the mother plant and reevaluate your care routine to identify the problems. Am I doing something wrong? But, cutting the bloom stalk slows down the process. You won't have the trouble of dealing with a tree later. It is a bad idea to water the soil while it is still damp. Roots will eventually rot. AGAVE SAP CAN CAUSE DERMATITIS. USE COMMON SENSE: The drier the agave, the less its moisture content; the fresher the agave, the greater the risk of sap exposure. This transition allows the succulent to adjust without getting sunburnt. 3. Occasionally plants, even succulents, suffer from sunburn. While I don't feel sentimental about succulents in general, I am happy to have Big Blue Two... Big Blue grew bigger as the other ornamentals passed by.

Many were not allowed to be adopted because of their cautions. They remained in 1-gallon pots. Once they have doubled in size, start them in small nursery pots. After that, transplant them into larger containers or into the garden. This can be corrected by moving your cactus garden from direct sunlight to an area that receives less light. You should add enough potting earth (I mixed mine 25% with pumice), to the new container so that the crown of your plant lies about an inch below the rim. Check out how professionals removed mine. Check out my article: Make Tequila or Mezcal From Your Agaves. Are agaves edible? Can I make tequila out of mine? There are two forms: unbranched with blooms along the stalk, and branching with clusters of flowers. How long until an agave blooms? The mother plant's clones are the blooms that turn into bulbils or seedpods. It tried to take over the garden and produced pups (clones). I moved it to a partially shaded location in order to help it develop healthier roots. If you'd like to grow Crassula mesembryanthemoides outdoors, be sure to plant it in an area where it can receive filtered or partial sun. Star Cactus plants thrive in partial shade.

Your cactus should be in its early stages of growth so that your liquid fertilizer is not too late. She is available at Cactus & Succulent Society events throughout Southern CA. Connect with her via Instagram and Facebook. This is just one example of the resilience that succulent plants can show. Consider the addition of filler plants, which can be in different shades. Graptoveria Bashful, a succulent sun-loving plant, has stemless, clumping rosettes of dense, chubby, and minty green leaves. The beautiful fan of azure leaves was the frame for a new flagstone patio in 2016. These leaves hold extra water, which is why succulents can go long days without a drink. Why you really need rocks (5:32). Succulent landscape designer Steve McDearmon uses warm-toned boulders, rubble and gravel. There is one difference: you might need to trim your plants occasionally to keep them in check. It was dangerous and armed, and sometimes snatched my skin and drew water. This can lead to headaches, joint and muscular pains, and other skin diseases. You should first treat your plant for pests and diseases before you set it next to your other plants.