Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas, Happy New Year

I have been making dish and mug succulent arrangements for sale. This is one that I just did. More to come.

TREATING Mealy Bugs and Aphids

I learned from a member of a succulent groups that I belong to that she uses Windex directly on her plants  to treat mealy bugs and aphids. She said it works like a charm. I have yet to try it. I have used Ortho Home Defense and it works for me too. Live and learn.

                                                  


I am still looking for an ID for this. It is in the same family as Silver  Quill, I just love the leaves on this plant.

   










  I am starting to do my succulent pumpkins. Have to start early to have a good choice on pumpkins.

                                                 


                                     Stapelia Grandiflora

Another plant I got from the Conejo Succulent plant sale. I am excited to see the flowers. It has smaller leaves and a little different growth pattern than the Stapelia gigantea.

                                                 
                                              


I just bought this plant at a Plant Sale. It did not have any ID, but the seller said it is in the same family as Silver Quill. I am excited to propagate it, it came with 2 small babies. 

       

                                               Kalanchoe Tarantula



I bought this plant without the flower. I was surprised to see these red flowers. The flowers last for over a month. Easy to propagate. I already took a cutting and it rooted fast. I always propagate another plant for duplicate just in case.

 


In spite of the 100+ degree heat we are having in So Cal. this cactus  continues to bloom day after day. They only last a day but I'll take it.

Succulents do well planted in the ground. They seek their own moisture and less chance of being over watered. I have more luck with them planted in ground and they survive the heat and the frost better too.

It is scorching hot in our neck of the woods. Today we have a high of 115 degrees. Ouch! I put out my beach umbrella to provide shade to some of my rare succulents. Hope the heat does not burn the rest of them. We are supposed to get 10 degrees cooler temp by tomorrow.

     Echeveria Mauna Loa

It is one of my favorite echeveria. So big and yet so dainty looking. It is starting to show the pink color, a blushing beauty.

I


 Easter Cactus

It bloomed a little late but it is worth the wait. I have to take this picture before the flowers starts to drop. 

           


                                                    Variegated Aloe. Pink Blush

I just started collecting Aloes. They are easy to grow and propagate. Nice bloom too.

                                             

                                      Sempervivum

One of my favorite succulents. Also known as Hens and Chickens. Grows fast and  easy to propagate. They change colors depending on location, sun exposure and watering frequency. They turn reddish in color when stressed.

       



                                             Euphorbia Corn cob

Height - 6-12 inches
US Zone 9-11
Sun to Partial shade
Bloom yellow-orange
Bloom time- Late winter - early Spring
Propagation Method-  Allow cutting to callous over before planting.

                                                Little Gems


             In full bloom. My favorite small succulent. Turns a little red under sun exposure.

              

                                          Aeonium Sun Cup

Another one of my favorite Aeonium. I just love variegated leaves. They are a little hard to propagate from cuttings but so far I have been successful. It just takes a little longer to root.  Some people root them in water - I still have to try that.

                           

                                                 Aeonium Lemon Lime

I am just getting introduced to the different kinds of Aeonium. This is one of my favorite. They do better planted in the ground . They are dormant in the summertime.Just enjoying the beauty of the different aeoniums at they time of the year.