succulent

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Caring Tips for the Haworthia Cymbiformis Var. Obtusa

by Giancarlo Perlas

Haworthia cymbiformis var. obtusa is a rather strange-looking succulent plant. It comes as a dense rosette and it is the appearance of its leaves that make it very interesting. We will be discussing here the things that you need to know about the plant and its most important maintenance tips.

Characteristics

Haworthia cymbiformis var. obtusa is a small rosette succulent that grows up to four inches in diameter. The name of the plant is derived from the Latin word “obtusus” meaning “blunt” or “dull”, which describes the obtuse tips of its leaves. This can be easily mistaken with the Haworthia cooperi var. truncata because of their strong resemblance with each other at a glance, especially their pulpy leaves. However, further examination of the two will reveal that the Haworthia cymbiformis var. obtusa has a different leaf shape and it is less translucent.

Normally, Haworthias reach a height of 3 up to 5 inches. However, it takes a long time for the plant to grow. It starts in small clusters but it spreads out over time.

Ideal Temperature

The Haworthia cymbiformis var. obtusa is native in Eastern Cape, South Africa. It thrives in warmer temperatures but it can also withstand climates going as low as 30 to 50 degress Fahrenheit.

Many species of the plant love full exposure to the sun, but some adapt better in partial shade. If you are not sure about the type or temperature requirement of your succulent, better keep it under partial shade where it is protected during the hottest part of the day.

Keep the plant indoors if the temperature in your area tends to drop lower than recommended. Utilize a grow light to compensate for the lack of sunlight.

Watering

Like other succulents, the Haworthia cymbiformis var. obtusa may become soggy and it may eventually die out with too much watering. Only put water when its soil or leaves appear to dry out. Use a handy water spray bottle when applying the liquid to avoid overwatering.

The only time when the succulent requires a more frequent watering is during its propagation stage. As it nears maturity, only water it sparingly.

Propagation

The Haworthia cymbiformis var. obtuse can be propagated using its seeds, leaves, and offsets. The easiest and most common method preferred by growers is via its offsets.

When doing the latter, make sure that the offset already has roots of its own before separating it from the mother plant. In the lateral stem connecting the parent plant and offset, it is recommended to make the cutting somewhere near the mother plant.

Now that you are ready to replant it, choose a succulent pot with holes as a bottom. The holes serve as drainage for excess water to avoid stagnation at the bottom of the plant. The water trapped under the roots may yield effects similar to overwatering. Use also a well-draining soil to keep the free flow of water from the topsoil down to the drainage of the pot.

Haworthias are not heavily dependent on fertilizers. To ensure its optimum growth though, it is strongly advised that you apply an ample amount of dilute fertilizer during the propagation phase.

How To Regrow Succulent Plants That Have Already Withered And Dried Out

by Giancarlo Perlas

Not many people know it, but when a succulent plant begins to wither (and nearly dying), this is actually the best time to propagate it and regrow another plant. With succulents, the quote “Every ending is a new beginning” takes on a whole new meaning.

When a succulent plant gets too leggy, it’s because it isn’t receiving enough sunlight. The plant will then “stretch out” with the stem growing long and the leaves being oddly spaced. While you might feel a little tug in your heart because you’ve killed a succulent plant, don’t fret yet. This is actually the perfect time to grow another plant from this withered one. All you need is a nice pair of pruning shears, well-draining soil, and a nice-looking pot or container.

Although the plant may still look good from the top, you’ll notice that the lower leaves are beginning to wither and might fall off in the next days. The first thing you need to do is to remove the lower leaves. This is a little tricky because you need to make sure that you can get the entire leaf and not leave the base of the leaf still attached to the stem.

What you should do is to wiggle the leaf from side to side until you hear a snap. This means the leaf has already been separated from the stem. Carefully pull the leaf until it’s free from the stem and place it in a container. You don’t need to plant the leaf immediately because you still need it to dry out. Repeat the same process on all the other leaves below the rosette until you have a rosette sitting high above the soil on a long bare stem.

Remember that it’s imperative you pull off the leaf wholly because leaving the base still attached to the stem will render the leaf useless. It cannot grow without that base.

Once the leaves have all been removed, it’s time to cut off the rosette. This might be painful for you to do but trust us, this is the best way to save the plant. Now, you should be left with a bunch of leaves, a rosette, and a stump (leave that in the old container).

Allow the leaves to dry out completely and callous over. If you don’t let the ends dry out and place them directly into the soil, they will retain and absorb too much moisture that will eventually kill them. For the rosette, you must also let the end of the stem dry out. This process can take days or even a week.

When the ends are dry enough, you can now place the leaves on top of well-draining soil. After a few weeks, you’ll notice that there are pink roots sprouting from the ends of the leaves. There might even be tiny baby plants that will begin to grow. Water the leaves rarely and in a few weeks, you’ll have a full-blown succulent plant again.

As for the stump, leave it be and eventually, you’ll see that there are new plants from each of the places we removed a leaf. The rosette’s stem must also dry out and callous over so you can plant it in well-draining soil. After a few weeks of minimal watering and generous sunlight, roots will sprout out from the stem once more.

See? A succulent dying is not always a cause for a dismal mood. This is an opportunity to propagate the plant and grow new ones from the old withered succulent.

Where To Put Succulent Plants In Homes

by Giancarlo Perlas

Succulents plants like the CAL Farms 20 of 2″ Beautiful Assorted Variety Succulents are great indoor plants not only because they are easy to maintain and they demand little time and energy, but also because they make everything a tad bit more gorgeous. Often, we find our living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and the interiors of our homes bare and in drastic need of some color and oomph. We can’t put our finger on it, but we know that something is missing in our homes.

Try picturing a succulent plant sitting atop your kitchen counter. Isn’t it wonderful? Doesn’t it give your house that comfortable, rustic, and homey feeling? While we don’t always know where to put the succulent plants, the rule of thumb is to place it in a room that needs more character.

Personally, we like having succulents indoors, particularly in the kitchen and the living room. We find that guests like staying in homes that have plants thrown around it because it is more inviting.

Here are the best places where you can put succulent plants in homes to get the most out of the aesthetic beauty they provide as well as their health benefits.:

Living Room

Whether it’s on top of the mantel over your fireplace or by the windowsill or as the centerpiece of your side or center table, there’s nothing quite like finding succulent plants in the living room. Since we mostly decorate our living rooms with flowers and plants anyway, why not use succulents this time? Instead of changing the wilting flowers every other day or so, we can be rest assured that the succulents will still beautiful all-year-long. Besides, isn’t it a bit annoying to clean the droppings from the fresh flowers or plants?

Bedroom

Put the rosettes on your side table near your lamp or on your dresser or on the mantel of your entertainment table. No matter where you put succulents in your bedroom, they will achieve what they set out to do—to make your bedroom a more comfortable place to sleep in. Trust us, you will sleep a lot better with the succulents in your bedroom because remember, it takes in carbon dioxide and produces oxygen even at night.

Kitchen

You may not think it’s okay to put succulents on your kitchen countertop, but many households actually do have plants in their kitchen. As long as they are placed far away from the stove as possible to prevent any accidents, you should be cool to out them anywhere you like. Some place it near their pantry or the place where they put their spices and other condiments. Succulents give your kitchen a homier, kinda Italian kitchen feel.

Bathroom

Another good place for succulents is your bathroom. Sometimes, a bare bathroom doesn’t just cut it. Although bathrooms are not necessarily made for decorations, it’s nice to have a bathroom where you won’t only see the basics but a touch of your personality, too. You can put the succulent in front of the mirror where you brush your teeth and do all your beautifying. It would be a nice touch among the rows and rows of perfumes, lotions, etc.

Porch

Of course, succulents can also be used as decorations outdoors. It may be an indoor plant in general, but they are good for an outdoor succulent garden, too. Put them in your porch, and you will have a welcoming sight for your guests.

5 Tips For Planting Succulents In Small Containers

by Giancarlo Perlas

If you are living in a small place, like in a dormitory or a condominium unit, but you want to have a little bit of nature to surround you, your best bet is to make an indoor succulent garden. Planting succulents like the CAL Farms Beautiful 36 of 2″ Assorted Succulents are not only great because they provide the fresh air that we need indoors, but they are also easy to maintain and such a breeze to look at.

Most people simply put the succulents in mini containers (that they either bought from a hardware or gardening store or a container they have at home). However, transferring the succulents from the pots that they came from and to a container of your own choosing takes a little bit of practice and know-how.

1. Plant Above the Rim of the Container

The succulent needs to be above the rim of the container. If the soil is way below the rim, the chance is that the water will pool and will not flow out from the sides (just in case you put too much). This can cause the succulent to wither and die. The leaves inside the container will rot and that can cause problem to the whole plant in the long run. When putting soil into the container, don’t just put the roots and then the soil into it. Give the roots a shallow base of soil.

2. Pack Them Tight

One of the most usual questions about planting succulents is if they need to be packed tightly when they are planted. You can pack them tight, meaning there is minimal space in between the succulents, but they grow slower this way. On the other hand, they will look better and they will maintain the original form of the arrangement. You can pack them farther apart as well if you want them to grow faster. But in this arrangement, they won’t look as nice as the plants tightly packed together.

3. Let the Succulents Hang Over the Rim

This is not really something you need to do for the health of the succulents. It’s more for aesthetic reasons. To make your arrangement a little more interesting, let the succulents hang over the rim of the container. To achieve the right look, you can use trailing succulents like String of Pearls. They actually hang over the side of the pot, or you can simply let the rosettes cover the edges.

4. Add Some Height

Add tall succulents that will give more dimension to your arrangement. That doesn’t mean you only need to buy succulents that will grow tall though. You need the smaller ones, too, to accentuate the height of the tall succulents. Though succulents of the same height look neat inside a pot, they don’t add any interesting style to the room. When you’ve got dimensions in your succulent container, that could boost the overall look of the garden.

5. Use Top Dressing

Don’t simply plant the succulent in the soil and leave it be. Add some dressing to the soil. You can use stones and pebbles to do this. The plant will look better with the top dressing. You need to make sure the container has proper drainage, too, so that your plant will stay healthy.

3 Delicious Succulent Cactus Recipes Everyone Can Enjoy

by Giancarlo Perlas

In Mexico, when you say nopales, Mexicans immediately think of good food. Either sautéed, grilled, and sometimes fried. Nopales means cactus leaves, and these are usually found in Mexican markets and in some specialized stores in Southeast Asia. Not many people know that succulents like cactus and CAL Farms Beautiful 36 of 2″ Assorted Succulents are not only great decorative pieces, but they are also edible and makes for salads, dips, salsa, and even soups.

Curious how this can be done? It is important to note that only the most learned in cooking should prepare a cactus recipe. Before actually grilling or sautéing the nopales, you have to make sure that the needles have been removed. Most nopales that you can purchase in grocery stores and ready and prepared for cooking. However, it would still be prudent of you to check if all needles and other prickly things on the cactus have already been removed. Move your hand on the leaf to feel that all areas are smooth.

1. Cactus Salsa

First, you need to preheat your griller or broiler. While it is preheating, place the cactus paddles, approximately 1 1/2 pounds, in a bowl and mix it with 1/4 cup olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Marinate the nopales in the mixture for at least 30 minutes before putting it on the griller. Turn the paddles to the other side once there are grill marks and the paddles have turned dark green. Set aside and let cool. You can cover it and chill it from two to four hours to overnight in the chiller. After which, you can slice the cactus in 1/2-inch pieces and combine them with about four diced Italian tomatoes, 1/2 diced onion, 1 diced and seeded chile, 2 bunches of chopped cilantro, and 1/2 cup finely grated Cotija cheese.

In a separate bowl, combine 1/2 cup red wine, 1/2 cup olive oil, and 1 teaspoon salt and pepper.

2. Cactus Soup

You can choose to use jarred nopales or you can make your own by pickling the cactus leaves or grilling them. First, pour one jar of Morelos cooking sauce and 3 cups of chicken broth in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to boil and simmer down to medium heat. Add 4 springs of chopped cilantro and 1 jar of nopales. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

You can serve this cactus soup with tortillas on the side and some diced avocados on top.

3. Nopales Tacos

Grill 3 to 4 nopales around 15 minutes in total. Make sure the grill marks are present and both sides are evenly grilled. Chop the cactus in 1/4-inch thick before seasoning it with some salt and pepper and a bit of lime juice. Afterwards, you can put it in a taco shell and top it with your favorite tomato salsa recipe, as well as guacamole. For the tomato salsa, you simply have to chop off tomatoes, onions, and mix them with cilantro, oregano, chiles, salt and pepper, and extra virgin olive oil. As for the guacamole, either you use something store bought or you can dice some avocados and mix it with jalapeño peppers, tomatoes, cilantro, and lime juice.

3 Reasons Why People Love Receiving Succulent Plants As Gifts

by Giancarlo Perlas

Many people now prefer receiving succulent plants as gifts or party favors because of the many benefits that they provide. There was a time, of course, when succulents are looked at weirdly. What are these mini plants capable of, after all? It turned out that the succulent plants like CAL Farms Beautiful 36 of 2″ Assorted Succulents are capable of a multitude of things, most of all of providing a fresher air for us to breath in our homes or offices.

Here are the many reasons why succulent plants have become a favorite for so many people:

1. They Use It as Decoration

Have you ever visited a home with many succulent plants as decorative pieces? Succulents are such great alternative to plastic, glass, and porcelain figurines that we usually see on top of a stand or a counter. Instead of having to buy decorative pieces that are unoriginal and uninteresting, succulents make for better decoration. You can put it in your garden in a vase or in a recycled fish bowl or you can put it inside your home by the window sill where it can attract the sunlight it needed. There are people who actually make a living out of passionately designing succulent plants. They turn them into pieces of art, wherein they mix them up with other plants and put them in cute wooden crate boxes.

You may even notice succulent plants in weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and other kinds of parties. They make for great centerpieces. Those who are gunning for nature-inspired themes and motifs can have succulents as the center of their decorative element. They can hang succulents from the ceiling and use them to line the aisle and other parts of the room.

2. They Breathe better with Succulents

Some people swear that they breathe better with succulents in the room. That’s because succulent plants give off oxygen and make the air that you breathe fresher and easier to breathe in. There are even studies that suggest succulents have medicinal properties and thus, might be benefiting the health of the people who take care of it. This is why succulents can also be given as gifts to people who are confined in the hospital and to those who are having difficulty breathing. Much of the same properties that ordinary plants have are also contained in the succulents.

3. They Feel Lucky When There are Succulents

Who knew that succulents can be lucky charms, too? Many Asian nations believe in the power that succulents bring their businesses, their personal lives, and their families. That is why you may have noticed succulent plants in every Asian restaurant or store that you visit. This is because they believe succulent plants, the Jade Plant in particular, can give them luck. Of course, there is no scientific evidence to this, but what’s wrong with believing that succulents can bring us luck, right? It looks good as a decoration and if it really gives people luck, then that’s okay, too. Don’t we all need a bit of luck what with all that’s happening around us and the entire world, to be exact.

4 Traits To Look Out For In A Succulent Plant Seller

by Giancarlo Perlas

Every now and then, we want to think about what will make our homes and office spaces look better. You can always decorate it with things you can buy in specialty stores but of course, there’s nothing like putting succulent plants in your homes and offices.

Not only will a succulent plant like CAL Farms Beautiful 36 of 2” Assorted Succulents brighten your space and make it aesthetically pleasing, it is also beneficial to your health. It’s either you want to purchase this for a friend as a gift or as a decorative piece for your home or office. Whatever your reason is, you need to find a good and reputable succulent plant seller that will give you the information you need.

Here are the traits that you should look for in a succulent plant seller:

1. Care for the Succulents

A seller must have absolute genuine care for the succulent plants. He should not only turn it into a profit-making business, he should care for the plants and want to see the best for them.

You will see this in the color, the texture, and the overall look of the succulent plants. If it’s not its usual color, then maybe it is not being watered well or it is not being exposed to the sun enough. This means that the seller simply wants to sell for a price, and not because it is important for him to find good homes for the plants.

2. Experience and Longevity

Sure, it’s nice to support local and smaller businesses, but the experience and longevity in the industry of certain succulent plant sellers like CAL Farms cannot be taken lightly. When your source is experienced in planting and growing succulents, you will most likely receive detailed information about the plant that you’re buying. You may even get the support you need on how to take care of the succulents from the seller himself.

3. Customer Service

As mentioned above, succulent plants owners need as much information and support they can get on how to take care of the plants. You need to find a seller who knows what he’s doing with the plants and who can provide you the details about how to take care of the plants in different conditions and temperatures. This seller must be willing to answer all your queries, seeing as you’re merely beginning in the succulent planting hobby.

4. Creativity

You will see this on how he designed each succulent plant in the pot. The combination of textures, colors, and plant variation will tell you a lot about how creative the person is. Can he personalize a succulent pot for you? Something that will describe who you are as a person?

Buying succulent plants should not be stressful for you. Rather, it should be an enjoyable experience because these plants will brighten anyone’s day. With the many benefits of succulent plants, you’ll never lack for reason why this is the ideal decorative piece for your home or office or why it makes the perfect gift this holiday season.

4 Reasons Why Succulent Plants Are Such A Joy To Give This Christmas Season

by Giancarlo Perlas

Are you looking for the perfect gift for your loved ones this Christmas season? Can’t think of anything unique to wrap in a ribbon and bow? How about a succulent plant? Have you ever wondered why these are becoming popular souvenirs during weddings, birthdays, baptisms, and other occasions?

It can be quite tiring to find the perfect gift for our loved ones this holiday season. As much as we want to give what they truly want—gadgets, cars, watches—these are all too expensive and might not be practical for us to give as gifts. A succulent plant, however, is something unique and truly special. You can even customize the design and the combination of plants of the succulents.

CAL Farms’ Beautiful 36 of 2” Assorted Succulents, for example, make for the ideal party favor, souvenir, or gift. This mix of succulents will surely be appreciated by anyone who receives it. This holiday season, it is particularly pleasing to receive something different from what we normally get from our friends and family.

Unique and interesting

When was the last time someone gave you an actual living thing? Succulent plants make for an excellent gift because it is unique and interesting. No one else would have thought of giving someone a plant to take care of. Maybe a dog is a common gift between boyfriends and girlfriends, but a plant is something meaningful—you have to keep it alive and store-bought dog food won’t cut it. Sure, succulents are low-maintenance plants, but there is still extra effort in taking care of it.

Romantic

Unknown to many, succulents can be quite romantic, too. Forget the usual bouquet of red and pink roses, succulent plants are actual living things that may or may not speak about how someone feels for you. There are many succulent plants that mean romance and love. The rosettes, for example, are actually some of the most beautiful succulents we’ve seen. It will brighten anyone’s day.

Thoughtful

Do you know that succulent plants are actually beneficial to the health? Like other plants, succulents give off oxygen, making it easier for those around it to breathe. Air is definitely a little better with succulent plants around. This trait shows how much you care about the person you’re giving this gift to. The thought behind the gift can be interpreted as wanting for that gift receiver to live healthier and stronger.

Creative

Who else will give anyone succulent plants for gifts? These are not exactly the most common gift out there. Most of the time, people will gift books, shirts, bags, etc. as Christmas gifts. Succulent plants show your creativity—it shows people that you actually thought about who the succulents will go to. Can you imagine giving succulent plants to someone who neither has the time nor the inclination to take care of them?

This holiday season, make sure you’re giving away something that everyone can appreciate. It’s the season of sharing, after all, and succulent plants are one of the best things to share this Christmas.

4 Ways How To Revive A Withering Succulent Plant

by Giancarlo Perlas

Succulent plants are low-maintenance plants, but that doesn’t mean that it requires no care at all. The thing with succulent plants is that they are very easy to maintain and grow but very hard to wilt. If you find that your succulent plants are dying, it is very likely your fault. Yes, you are to blame.

If you don’t want that kind of responsibility on your shoulders, here are some steps on reviving a withering succulent plant:

1. Adequate Watering

What succulents like CAL Farms Beautiful 36 of 2″ Assorted Succulents need is adequate water—neither too much or too little. When you drown a succulent in water, it can cause rot diseases while not watering it rightly will put the plant in “survival mode.” This means that the succulent plant may actually stop flowering.

What adequate is referring to might actually be different depending on the sun exposure and planting location, so you have to study this first and refer to the guide. Generally, a potted succulent plant under the full sunlight needs daily drink. For plants with roots in the ground and in partial shade, watering once or twice a week is more than enough.

2. Just the Right Lighting

If you noticed that your succulent plant is looking rather thin and stretched out, this means that it’s getting too little light. In order for a succulent to thrive, it needs sunlight. Although succulents are generally low-maintenance, these cannot survive without the much-needed sun.

The plant may stay alive, but it will stretch out to any light source and appear to look drawn. If the succulent is looking dead to you, it might be because it’s about to.

The solution? Move it under a light source.

3. Check the Drainage

Succulents, in order to survive, need well-draining soil. If the plant begins to wilt, you can check if the soil is properly draining by filling the top with water and seeing how quickly it drains. Make sure to use containers that drain well. Otherwise, the succulent can develop rot problems.

For plants in the ground, you can construct a basin around the plant and fill it up for the exact same purpose. You can also increase drainage by adding lava rock, sand or perlite. Excess water can drain quickly.

4. Correct Dose of Fertilizer

Succulents actually don’t need heavy doses of fertilizers and other nutrients. Except for some variants, succulents grow in poorer and less fertile soil, and they’re fine with that. And because they prefer poor soil, succulents don’t need fertilizers or at least, you shouldn’t put too much fertilizers on them. Just the right amount of it will do. If you notice that your succulents are drooping, you may be using fertilizers too much.

If you really have to use fertilizers, always pick a water soluble fertilizer higher in phosphorous than nitrogen. Generally, you need to “water down” the fertilizers before using them on the succulents. During the growing season, just fertilize the plants three or four times. This will keep all the nutrients they need intact without overpowering the plants with fertilizers.

How to Successfully Take Care of Succulent Plants in Winter

by Giancarlo Perlas

Many people don’t consider the rising and dropping temperatures in their areas when they decide to take care of succulent plants. This could be your biggest mistake. In order to better take care and maintain these plants, you have to understand that subjecting them to varying degrees of temperature will invariably affect their growth and their aesthetics.

Basically, there are winter-hardy plants, which means these succulents can take care of themselves even in the lowest of temperatures. If you have Sedum (Sedum sp.), Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum sp.), Ice Plant (Delosperma sp.), Lewisia (Lewisia sp.), or Yucca (Yucca sp.) in your collection, there is no need to worry at all. You may notice them wither, shrink, and change color during the colder months, but this is part of their process in preparation for the winter temperature.

For less hardy varieties of succulent plants, the problem remains to be their capacity to survive in the combination of cold weather and wet and soggy soil. One of the few true enemies of succulent plants like CAL Farms 20 of 2” Beautiful Rosettes Succulents is wet soil, and this is not impossible during the winter season because the land and the surroundings are wet with melted snow and rain.

Don’t fret, though, because succulent plants can still live through the winter season as long as you can keep the soil somehow dry. Here are some other tips on how you can take care of succulent plants in winter at freezing temperatures:

1. Keep the soil dry.

When you are about to enter the winter season, you should keep the soil dry by not supplementing with water and feeding around fall. Remember that once the winter season starts, there is a very good chance that the air, the soil, and the surroundings will be damp and moist. This is certainly not something succulent plants need. Since they hate too much water, feeding them with it when the soil they are planted in is about to be damp and moist will not help with their health.

2. Make sure of adequate air circulation.

Place the succulent plants in areas where they can get as much air as possible. Prevent putting them in dark, dingy, and cramped spaces because they won’t be able to grow and survive the cold temperature there. Adequate air circulation means there is enough “room” for your plants to breath.

3. Put the plants in sheltered areas.

If your winter season is a rainy one, it is best to look for a shaded area where you can place your succulent plants. There might be a sunny location in your porch. This is a good place for your succulents because they can get the needed vitamins from the sun even amid the harsh conditions of winter.

4. Improve the soil’s drainage.

All succulent plants require the kind of soil with good drainage. This means that your succulents’ soil must have proper drainage in order for the soil not to get soggy and wet. You need to improve the conditions of your succulents’ soil because this can determine the overall health of the plant. Not only that, during the colder months, a soil with proper drainage will allow the succulents to survive. You can add sand or Perma-Till to improve the drainage conditions of the soil.

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