Sensational Succulents! Lovely New House Plants
Plants feel very much like pets to me- I enjoy being surrounded by them, I am amazed at their intelligence and beauty, and I worry about their health and well-being. Our newest plant pets here in Mersydotes land are three sensational succulents that I met while walking along the street in our little barrio. They were just hanging out on the sidewalk in the early spring sunlight, and I knew that their place was at home with us.
This beauty is an aloe plant, and I have already harvested one frond to use the inner gel. It makes the skin so smooth and healthy- I use it on my face when the weather makes it a bit too dry and itchy. It feels good to live in conjunction with the houseplants- we each take care of each other!
We have also welcomed a jade plant into the apartment, and I must say that she is doing very well. Indirect sun and very little water seem to suit her just fine- seems it's best if I just leave her alone!
Now this little guy has had a much harder transition to life in our apartment. I'm not sure what kind of plant he is. He's lost a lot of leaves since he came home with me- they just turned brown and shriveled up. I've taken away the dead leaves since I've heard that they can drain a plant of energy needed for the healthy bits, and while he has grown significantly taller since arriving (I take that as a good sign), the underlying leaf layer has been lost. What to do?
Perhaps it was the first little watering that I gave them when I brought them inside? Could it have been too much? Maybe more direct sunshine? I'll let them all hang out on the window sill this week to see if it helps a bit.
Coincidentally, in the most recent issue of Living magazine, there was a whole expo on succulents. The article called them "charming, colorful, funny-looking, and interesting plants"! Here's what I found out:
This beauty is an aloe plant, and I have already harvested one frond to use the inner gel. It makes the skin so smooth and healthy- I use it on my face when the weather makes it a bit too dry and itchy. It feels good to live in conjunction with the houseplants- we each take care of each other!
We have also welcomed a jade plant into the apartment, and I must say that she is doing very well. Indirect sun and very little water seem to suit her just fine- seems it's best if I just leave her alone!
Now this little guy has had a much harder transition to life in our apartment. I'm not sure what kind of plant he is. He's lost a lot of leaves since he came home with me- they just turned brown and shriveled up. I've taken away the dead leaves since I've heard that they can drain a plant of energy needed for the healthy bits, and while he has grown significantly taller since arriving (I take that as a good sign), the underlying leaf layer has been lost. What to do?
Perhaps it was the first little watering that I gave them when I brought them inside? Could it have been too much? Maybe more direct sunshine? I'll let them all hang out on the window sill this week to see if it helps a bit.
Coincidentally, in the most recent issue of Living magazine, there was a whole expo on succulents. The article called them "charming, colorful, funny-looking, and interesting plants"! Here's what I found out:
- Don't touch the leaves- you might leave finger marks
- Let the soil dry out completely between waterings
- During the summer growing phase, water once a week
- Water under the heads so that the centers don't begin to rot
- Individual leaves can easily be rooted to become new plants
- Most succulents like bright light, but yellowing means it's too bright
I'm really anxious to keep these beauties happy and healthy! They are a lovely part of our little world!
~Mersydotes
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