Succulent success

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR THE POPULAR, LOW-MAINTENANCE PLANTS.

BY ALLEN ROBINSON

Many people wonder, “are cacti and succulents the same?”

Well, all cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti. Cacti, as part of the Cactaceae family, are a subcategory within a group of plants that are collectively known as succulents, or water-storing plants.

Succulents come in many shapes, sizes, colors and textures and they take little maintenance to survive and thrive. Conversely, sometimes they struggle because we tend to over-maintain them.

So, what is the secret to thriving succulents?

It starts with light. Look for the brightest area in your home, which is generally a south-facing window. ey need at least four to six hours of sunlight but prefer eight or more. If that is not achievable, consider a grow light. If you nd they are losing their compactness by stretching out and getting leggy, they need more light.

Next, use a well-draining soil. While succulents do need watering, they do not like to sit in water. Look for a cactus-type soil mix, then add a good amount of perlite or pumice, up to a 1-to-1 ratio. ese amendments retain little moisture and help the soil drain. Perlite or pumice can usually be found at a garden center or hardware store.

Overwatering might be the biggest challenge succulents face. Keep succulents on the dry side. A good rule of thumb is to water succulents thoroughly once a week in the summer, twice a month in the spring and fall, and only once a month during their winter dormancy. But do not under water either. If the soil dries completely for too long, roots may desiccate, ceasing growth. Do not use a spray bottle. Instead, water deeply by completely soaking the soil and letting it drain out quickly, which will promote deep root growth.

Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer, diluted to half strength, once or twice in the spring (or autumn for summer-dormant varieties such as senecios and aeoniums).

Finally, prevent infestations by giving succulents excellent air circulation. If pests appear, spray with 70% rubbing alcohol diluted 50% with water. Scale can be scraped o or treated with horticultural soap (not dish soap) and horticultural oil. Isolate any infested plants immediately to prevent spread and thoroughly clean the area. If pests are winning, take cuttings from una ected growth and establish them in fresh soil. Discard the diseased plant and soil, then clean the pot before reusing.

Succulents are a great starter plant for kids and a terri c addition to any indoor landscape. Here are 10 of the more common succulents that do well both outdoors and indoors:

Aloe Vera • Echeveria • Hens and Chicks

Haworthia Zebra • Jade Plant • Kalanchoe Sempervivum • Snake Plant • String of Pearls

ZZ Plant TP ank you to Tulsa County Master Gardeners for their expertise in this subject matter. Allen Robinson has been a Master Gardener since 2010.

Lunch and Learns expand to south Tulsa

After audience suggestion, Tulsa Master Gardeners will double its Lunch and Learn educational programs and add sessions at south Tulsa’s Hardesty Library in addition to Central Library.

“We are bringing some really great speakers this spring, plus a few surprises, such as hands-on demonstrations, along with our Oklahoma State University research-based information,” says Master Gardener Diane Hambric

These free presentations begin at noon on March 21 (Central) and at 1 p.m. on March 23 (Hardesty) with the topic of gardening for pollinators. These continue each week through April 27 ranging in subject matter from container gardening to growing tomatoes, herbs and houseplants to saving heirloom seeds.