How to Plant Your Own Succulent Bowl

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned gardener planting a succulent bowl is easy and fun whilst still allowing you to put your personal spin on it. Succulents are an amazing group of plants which have adapted to harsh conditions by storing water in modified fleshy stems and leaves to conserve the precious little water available to them. They really are a tough group of plants, not only are they able to withstand extended periods of neglect, they will actually thrive in the face of adversity.

The biggest challenge you will face when planting your bowl will be to decide which succulents you are going to use as there is such a diverse range of options available.

Succulents prefer as much sunlight as possible but can even tolerate bright light indoors if needed making them great for any spot in the home or garden. If your succulents become leggy and start losing their colour they need more light, also be mindful of decreasing the amount and frequency of watering the lower the light becomes. In the wild succulents do all their growing during the rainy season and go into a dormancy during the dry season. The best guideline for watering succulents is to water them regularly during the growing season whilst ensuring they dry out completely in between every watering. Allow them to dry out more during their dormancy by only watering a little bit as soon as the soil has dried out completely.

To get your succulent bowl started you will need the following: A selection of succulents; bowl or other suitable container; river sand; potting soil; bone meal; gravel. Start by putting some gravel at the base of the container to ensure that the drainage holes don't get blocked. For your soil mix 1 part of river sand to 2 parts of potting soil, the river sand is there to improve the drainage and ensure your succulent doesn't get wet feet. Fill up with this mix to the depth of the biggest succulent you have chosen. For my bowl I have decided to use a lovely purple Aeonium as my focal point in the middle of the bowl, it will give me the height I am looking for and is sure to catch the eye with its striking purple foliage. Now arrange the other succulents around it while filling up with soil and a bit of bone meal where necessary. Play around when arranging them to showcase their differing textures, colours and shapes as much as possible.

Source: heckers.co.za

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SUCCULENTOPEDIA: Browse succulents by Genus, Family, Scientific Name, Common Name, Origin, or cacti by Genus