Echeveria

                                                           Echeveria Agavoides

ECHEVERIA, best grown in full sun.

Echevera is a genus of flowering plants that belongs to Crassulacea family. They are native to semi-desert of Central America, Mexico and Northwestern South America.

They are decidious or evergreen. Flowers arise from compact rosettes of succulent fleshy, often brightly colored leaves. Echeverias are POLYCARPIC, that means they may flower and produce seeds many times in their life span. Many offsets can be produced and can be collected for propagation. 

Many echeveria species are popular in the garden. Most are heat tolerant, drought resistant. Most will tolerate shade and some frost. Most will lose lower leaves in winter. Remove all spent leaves (rain soak) to prevent attracting fungus and pests. 

                     


                                                        ECHINOPSIS

One of my favorite Cacti. It blooms a few times a year for me and the flowers last 2-3 days. It does not need much care - just good drainage. I find it better planted in the ground.

                                               


                                           Leaf Propagation

Lay leaves on top of fast draining soil. Keep away from direct sunlight. Do not water- the mother leaf will provide nutrients for the new growth. When the mother leaf completely dries, the baby is  capable of surviving on its own. Transfer to a pot with cactus mix. Water when it  roots are attached to the new soil. 

   

SUCCULENT TREE

I saw this online during the holidays. It is amazing but takes a lot of cuttings. It can be easily done in a smaller scale using chicken wire and moss. The tree will stay fresh for a very long time, much longer than a regular pine tree.

My next project. Saw this picture frame online. I have all the plants I need, just have to look for or make the frame.  Just waiting for warmer weather.

My yellow Crown of thorns. I am surprised that this is doing well and surviving the winter storm and cold temperatures  we are having. It continues to bloom in spite of the rain and freezing temperature. Will start to propagate when it gets warmer.

We had a frost last week and it affected a few of my succulents. It is so tempting to cut off the damaged branches and tops of the plants but I know I have to wait till spring to prune them all. I moved most of the plants underneath the eaves for protection from the frost. Some I covered with plastic cloth during the night.