by Christine Lee / Palo Alto Weekly

Uploaded: Thu, May 10, 2018, 12:33 pm 0 Time to read: about 3 minutes

If you are an insecure plant parent, or almost always find your plants near death after you go away for an extended period of time, Linda Roark, designer of Gamble Garden's succulent container gardens, can help. She calls succulents "vacation plants," meaning they'll be perfectly healthy if an owner leaves for vacation and doesn't care for them while being away.

In a recent Gamble Garden class on caring for succulents, Roark recalled how one of her first succulents was a gift from her father when she was in college and despite her near-complete neglect of the plant, it survived.

The relatively carefree nature of these plants coupled with their exotic design have made them a household favorite for everyone from those barely home to those looking to add texture to their full gardens.

Roark said propagating succulents is easy to do at home.

While this can be intimidating for some, Roark emphasized that under the right conditions, succulents will grow healthily in the long term.

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Here are some of Roark's best tips for maintaining and propagating succulents, from which soil is best to how much water and sunshine should be given to these plants.

The two most important things when it comes to planting is using the right soil mix and making sure the plants have sufficient drainage. The ideal soil should be able to hold nutrients. The mix should be made up of one-third soil, one-third sand or pumice, one-fourth gravel, and the rest, organic material. Store-bought cactus and succulent mixes will work just fine.

Succulent roots should never be soggy, and therefore the pot should have drainage holes, and extras should be made if existing ones are too small.

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Succulents need to be kept out of dark or humid areas, as they're the ideal spots for mealybugs. Another way to prevent pests is to remove dead leaves that fall around the plant.

Since succulents are originally from arid climates, plenty of sunshine is needed. This is an area where many go wrong, however. Too much sunlight can be harmful. Putting succulents in a place where there's sunlight in the morning and shade in the afternoon is much better than giving them direct sunlight all day.

When it comes to hydration, under-watering is better than over-watering. There's no remedy if the leaves become too plump. While the amount of water depends on the location of the plants, generally succulents should be watered once a week after the soil has completely dried. Water them enough so that the water is allowed to drain from the container holes. In addition, it should be put directly onto the soil (not spritzed or misted), and not on the leaves, as this can promote rot.

In the summer, keep in mind that water evaporates more quickly so more watering may be necessary. Succulents are frost-sensitive in colder months if the temperature falls below 37 degrees, the plants should be covered gently with a sheet or a tarp and removed promptly when the sun comes out. A diluted fertilizer should be used just once a year to enhance growth.

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Roark advises "asexual propagation" over the use of seeds because it is much simpler. Succulents can be propagated by using a mature plant's stem and leaf cuttings, "layering" runners or using its suckers and offsets.

Using stem and leaf cuttings is one of the easiest ways to grow a new plant.

Stems around 2 to 3 inches long with intact leaves can be cut off with leaves at the base of the stem removed. Don't plant the cuttings right away. The ends of the cuttings should be "calloused" or dried out in indirect sunlight for a few days until raw parts have hardened. The cuttings can then be planted into the soil mix and watered. Roots will start growing relatively quickly, depending on the season and temperature.

When using leaf cuttings, a leaf needs to be cut right near the stem, and the entire leaf needs to be cut off. When a healthy leaf is twisted off gently as close as possible to the stem, the cut will be clean. Then the leaf can be positioned horizontally on top of the soil, so the two ends of the leaf are pointing upward and barely touching the soil. Leave them in semi-shade and lightly water when the soil is dry. Within weeks, roots should start growing along with a new plant.

The "Blue chalk sticks" (senecio mandraliscae) leaves resemble pieces of chalk, and the plant gives off a mystical shade between blue and green. The variety is perfect for outdoor gardens as it grows to a foot long and is deer resistant.

"Jelly beans" (sedum rubrotinctum) looks as if pieces of jelly beans are growing from a stem. This variety grows in full sun, often reflected by the red hues on its tips. Bright yellow, star-shaped flowers bloom from the plant.

"Hens and chicks" (echeveria glauca/elegans) is one of the most popular succulents for its geometric leaf pattern. The variety grows in clumps in full sun or shade with dainty red flowers.

"Copper rose" (echeveria multicallis) resembles a plumper, succulent version of a rose. The leaves grow like petals and appear like orange and red flowers and are great for growing in containers.

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by Christine Lee / Palo Alto Weekly

Uploaded: Thu, May 10, 2018, 12:33 pm If you are an insecure plant parent, or almost always find your plants near death after you go away for an extended period of time, Linda Roark, designer of Gamble Garden's succulent container gardens, can help. She calls succulents "vacation plants," meaning they'll be perfectly healthy if an owner leaves for vacation and doesn't care for them while being away. In a recent Gamble Garden class on caring for succulents, Roark recalled how one of her first succulents was a gift from her father when she was in college and despite her near-complete neglect of the plant, it survived. The relatively carefree nature of these plants coupled with their exotic design have made them a household favorite for everyone from those barely home to those looking to add texture to their full gardens. Roark said propagating succulents is easy to do at home. While this can be intimidating for some, Roark emphasized that under the right conditions, succulents will grow healthily in the long term. Here are some of Roark's best tips for maintaining and propagating succulents, from which soil is best to how much water and sunshine should be given to these plants. Planting/soil The two most important things when it comes to planting is using the right soil mix and making sure the plants have sufficient drainage. The ideal soil should be able to hold nutrients. The mix should be made up of one-third soil, one-third sand or pumice, one-fourth gravel, and the rest, organic material. Store-bought cactus and succulent mixes will work just fine. Succulent roots should never be soggy, and therefore the pot should have drainage holes, and extras should be made if existing ones are too small. Care Succulents need to be kept out of dark or humid areas, as they're the ideal spots for mealybugs. Another way to prevent pests is to remove dead leaves that fall around the plant. Since succulents are originally from arid climates, plenty of sunshine is needed. This is an area where many go wrong, however. Too much sunlight can be harmful. Putting succulents in a place where there's sunlight in the morning and shade in the afternoon is much better than giving them direct sunlight all day. When it comes to hydration, under-watering is better than over-watering. There's no remedy if the leaves become too plump. While the amount of water depends on the location of the plants, generally succulents should be watered once a week after the soil has completely dried. Water them enough so that the water is allowed to drain from the container holes. In addition, it should be put directly onto the soil (not spritzed or misted), and not on the leaves, as this can promote rot. In the summer, keep in mind that water evaporates more quickly so more watering may be necessary. Succulents are frost-sensitive in colder months if the temperature falls below 37 degrees, the plants should be covered gently with a sheet or a tarp and removed promptly when the sun comes out. A diluted fertilizer should be used just once a year to enhance growth. Propagation methods Roark advises "asexual propagation" over the use of seeds because it is much simpler. Succulents can be propagated by using a mature plant's stem and leaf cuttings, "layering" runners or using its suckers and offsets. Using stem and leaf cuttings is one of the easiest ways to grow a new plant. Stems around 2 to 3 inches long with intact leaves can be cut off with leaves at the base of the stem removed. Don't plant the cuttings right away. The ends of the cuttings should be "calloused" or dried out in indirect sunlight for a few days until raw parts have hardened. The cuttings can then be planted into the soil mix and watered. Roots will start growing relatively quickly, depending on the season and temperature. When using leaf cuttings, a leaf needs to be cut right near the stem, and the entire leaf needs to be cut off. When a healthy leaf is twisted off gently as close as possible to the stem, the cut will be clean. Then the leaf can be positioned horizontally on top of the soil, so the two ends of the leaf are pointing upward and barely touching the soil. Leave them in semi-shade and lightly water when the soil is dry. Within weeks, roots should start growing along with a new plant. Succulents recommended for growing: The "Blue chalk sticks" (senecio mandraliscae) leaves resemble pieces of chalk, and the plant gives off a mystical shade between blue and green. The variety is perfect for outdoor gardens as it grows to a foot long and is deer resistant. "Jelly beans" (sedum rubrotinctum) looks as if pieces of jelly beans are growing from a stem. This variety grows in full sun, often reflected by the red hues on its tips. Bright yellow, star-shaped flowers bloom from the plant. "Hens and chicks" (echeveria glauca/elegans) is one of the most popular succulents for its geometric leaf pattern. The variety grows in clumps in full sun or shade with dainty red flowers. "Copper rose" (echeveria multicallis) resembles a plumper, succulent version of a rose. The leaves grow like petals and appear like orange and red flowers and are great for growing in containers.

If you are an insecure plant parent, or almost always find your plants near death after you go away for an extended period of time, Linda Roark, designer of Gamble Garden's succulent container gardens, can help. She calls succulents "vacation plants," meaning they'll be perfectly healthy if an owner leaves for vacation and doesn't care for them while being away.

In a recent Gamble Garden class on caring for succulents, Roark recalled how one of her first succulents was a gift from her father when she was in college and despite her near-complete neglect of the plant, it survived.

The relatively carefree nature of these plants coupled with their exotic design have made them a household favorite for everyone from those barely home to those looking to add texture to their full gardens.

Roark said propagating succulents is easy to do at home.

While this can be intimidating for some, Roark emphasized that under the right conditions, succulents will grow healthily in the long term.

Here are some of Roark's best tips for maintaining and propagating succulents, from which soil is best to how much water and sunshine should be given to these plants.

The two most important things when it comes to planting is using the right soil mix and making sure the plants have sufficient drainage. The ideal soil should be able to hold nutrients. The mix should be made up of one-third soil, one-third sand or pumice, one-fourth gravel, and the rest, organic material. Store-bought cactus and succulent mixes will work just fine.

Succulent roots should never be soggy, and therefore the pot should have drainage holes, and extras should be made if existing ones are too small.

Succulents need to be kept out of dark or humid areas, as they're the ideal spots for mealybugs. Another way to prevent pests is to remove dead leaves that fall around the plant.

Since succulents are originally from arid climates, plenty of sunshine is needed. This is an area where many go wrong, however. Too much sunlight can be harmful. Putting succulents in a place where there's sunlight in the morning and shade in the afternoon is much better than giving them direct sunlight all day.

When it comes to hydration, under-watering is better than over-watering. There's no remedy if the leaves become too plump. While the amount of water depends on the location of the plants, generally succulents should be watered once a week after the soil has completely dried. Water them enough so that the water is allowed to drain from the container holes. In addition, it should be put directly onto the soil (not spritzed or misted), and not on the leaves, as this can promote rot.

In the summer, keep in mind that water evaporates more quickly so more watering may be necessary. Succulents are frost-sensitive in colder months if the temperature falls below 37 degrees, the plants should be covered gently with a sheet or a tarp and removed promptly when the sun comes out. A diluted fertilizer should be used just once a year to enhance growth.

Roark advises "asexual propagation" over the use of seeds because it is much simpler. Succulents can be propagated by using a mature plant's stem and leaf cuttings, "layering" runners or using its suckers and offsets.

Using stem and leaf cuttings is one of the easiest ways to grow a new plant.

Stems around 2 to 3 inches long with intact leaves can be cut off with leaves at the base of the stem removed. Don't plant the cuttings right away. The ends of the cuttings should be "calloused" or dried out in indirect sunlight for a few days until raw parts have hardened. The cuttings can then be planted into the soil mix and watered. Roots will start growing relatively quickly, depending on the season and temperature.

When using leaf cuttings, a leaf needs to be cut right near the stem, and the entire leaf needs to be cut off. When a healthy leaf is twisted off gently as close as possible to the stem, the cut will be clean. Then the leaf can be positioned horizontally on top of the soil, so the two ends of the leaf are pointing upward and barely touching the soil. Leave them in semi-shade and lightly water when the soil is dry. Within weeks, roots should start growing along with a new plant.

The "Blue chalk sticks" (senecio mandraliscae) leaves resemble pieces of chalk, and the plant gives off a mystical shade between blue and green. The variety is perfect for outdoor gardens as it grows to a foot long and is deer resistant.

"Jelly beans" (sedum rubrotinctum) looks as if pieces of jelly beans are growing from a stem. This variety grows in full sun, often reflected by the red hues on its tips. Bright yellow, star-shaped flowers bloom from the plant.

"Hens and chicks" (echeveria glauca/elegans) is one of the most popular succulents for its geometric leaf pattern. The variety grows in clumps in full sun or shade with dainty red flowers.

"Copper rose" (echeveria multicallis) resembles a plumper, succulent version of a rose. The leaves grow like petals and appear like orange and red flowers and are great for growing in containers.

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