- Care Sheet
- Water
- Cold Protection
- Light
- Fertilizing
- Pruning
- Questions
Succulent Creations Care Sheet
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All of the plant material in your living succulent creations is northwest hardy. Each one is a unique design and individually planted with lots of tender loving care. For the most dramatic results, gently place your living art in an area that receives partial sun and out of direct harsh winter rains. Spring will bring the most brilliant colors to your Smoke Tree Farms succulent art. If well cared for, your living art should last for many years. The best advice we can give to those who purchase our succulent creations is to treat them as if they were potted plants. They require appropriate water, sun exposure, fertilizing, pruning and protection from extreme weather conditions.
When the moss begins to dry and feel firm and the wreath becomes much lighter in weight, it is time to water. Place the wreath in a container (a garbage can lid or a sink works very well). Gently top water to remove dust and to refresh. A little rainwater works wonders. Let the wreath soak in the small amount of bottom water only as long as necessary to wet your wreath all the way through. Globes and topiaries need to be top watered only. Gently water them from overhead until thoroughly moist. All potted succulents require moderate amounts of water, although they prefer to be on the drier side. Do not let it go completely dry. Re-hydrating dried moss is very difficult. During the cooler, moister months of the year, less water will be required.
If your wreath is laying flat on a table or garden stone, make sure it is raised off the surface, so that it drains well. Never place your pieces directly on the ground because the moss will root and take over the entire piece. If you are hanging your wreath, make sure it is well drained before hanging. We ship our wreaths and globes fairly dry to avoid problems during transport. If you have just received your succulent creation through the mail, it will need to be re-hydrated.
Avoid exposing the succulent art to temperatures below freezing for extended periods of time. Although these hardy succulents can withstand temperatures of 10 - 20 degrees (as they do in the outdoors), planted Succulent art pieces are a bit more tender. Place your art in a protected area during the winter months. They may be placed indoors for short periods and decorated.
Provide as much light as possible, even if you have to move your succulent art throughout the seasons. Keep in mind, that full all day sun washes out the color and may dry out the soil faster than expected. For the best color, succulents prefer partial shade.
The soil core in your living succulent art contains enough nutrients to sustain it for approximately three months. After that, you should fertilize several times during the spring and summer by following a dilute fertilizer schedule of one-quarter strength of a balanced fertilizer such as Schultz- Instant Liquid Plant Food or its organic equivalent. A fertilizer high in potassium (K) and phosphorus (P) helps the plants retain their deep colors. A periodic application of the same dilution of fish fertilizer with its higher nitrogen content will give your succulents a little boost.
Succulents grow slowly. If the plants begin to grow too large, pinch, pin, or prune back to retain the desired shape. Don't be afraid to give your sedum a haircut after blooming to encourage better symmetry and new growth. Once callused, you can plant the cuttings in a pot or within the art piece itself. As your succulent piece grows, don't be afraid to add new plant material, as long as it is hardy, or to replace the plants you are may not like as well. It is a living thing and should reflect your personality, as it grows older.
For answers to your questions please contact Ann Pyles or Jessica Larson at Smoke Tree Farms (360) 598-2114 or smoketreefarms@comcast.net