Succulent Serial Killing

I admit..... I kill succulents..... not on purpose of course....  I absolutely love succulents!  I adore their shapes, textures, and colors.  I pretty much love everything about them, but for some reason in my possession most succulents die - even the resilient ones.  Except this kalanchoe, which I've had forever, but I don't really consider it a succulent since it seems to survive. 

 

It blooms every year for me and is just starting to set bloom now.  

I've even done well propagating it.  See the plant in the top center in the photo below.  This is just one of the many I've propagated from this plant - which are super easy to propagate anyway.

You'll also notice the jade plant and the Christmas Cactus - yes both still alive.  The jade plant is another succulent I seem to do well with, but the Christmas Cactus.... well I've only had it a few months so I'm not sure if that counts yet.

I bought this paddle plant (which is a member of the kalanchoe) at the Rhode Island Flower Show 2 weeks ago.  I've wanted one of these plants for a long time, but was too afraid to buy one for fear I'd kill it too.  But, when I read that it is a member of the kalanchoe family I figured that I'd give it try.  We'll see... I've only had it 2 weeks.

 

Here is another succulent that is doing OK.... I don't know what kind it is but I'm sure one of you wonderful bloggers does.  I bought it as a tiny plant last summer for a dish garden.... it's the sole surviving member... *sigh*.  Hey maybe it's another kalanchoe! ..... I think not.....

Here's are 2 more plants I bought at the flower show....  keeping my fingers crossed with them.  Someone please tell me what they are since they came without tags.

 

 

This one I bought about a year ago.  Is this a Hen and Chicks?  It has looked pretty bad in the past but all of a sudden it seems to have picked up and is growing babies - this was right after it bloomed!  Yup! I'm excited!

I think I'm doing all the right with these succulents.  I don't water them often...... I wait until they are very dry.  I transplant using them cactus potting soil in pots that have drain holes and they are in a west facing window.

 

I have the most difficulty growing varieties of sedum, which should be pretty foolproof, but sedum especially seem to die as soon as they are near me.  I've tried planting them outside, inside, in pots....  I've tried to talking to them.... begging them to stay alive..... even bribing them.... OK not really but you get the picture!  The only thing I can think of is that I may have a problem with low light. Most of my yard is partial sun and shady.  The only really sunny spots are reserved for the veggie garden and perennial flower bed.  There's not much direct sun coming through the house and I have no south facing windows - only west.  

I welcome all and any advice from you succulent experts.  Boy can I use it!

Dreaming of Greenhouses

Each year as the gardening season ends I long for a greenhouse of my very own. One where I could overwinter tropicals, succulents, and do some seed starting so I'd have to get a heating system. This year as I brought in my houseplants I was struggling with where to put them all. Some of the plants seemed to grow twice their size this summer so I had to get creative as to where place them all. Although our great room has a ton of light, the other rooms in our house are mostly north facing - which are fine for plants that like low light but not so good for some others. I think I've finally convinced Andy that getting a greenhouse is great idea so he's been doing some research for me. Of course I've been researching too but tend to look more at the beauty of them then at their function.


Here's one that looks quite practical. I'd love to have all that extra room!


I love the ones with the white metal frames. They have such a great cottage look to them.


Ohhhh.... look at the finials on that roof!


A grey one with lattice and wood siding.


Imagine being able to have this many succulents flourishing all winter long.


How fun to be able to decorate it for the holidays.


The green houses come in all different shapes and sizes. This one looks nice and compact.


A place to grow orchids and water plants. Ok... I've died and gone to heaven!


During the dark, dreary, cold days of winter how cheery would this sight be?


I love this door!

The wood on this one is gorgeous! And look at how well it is situated in the garden.


Here's a lean-to greenhouse. This would be so convenient in the winter time.... I wouldn't even have to go outside to enjoy the plants.


On the high end here's a conservatory sunroom. If I win the lottery this is what I want!


Here's a really affordable greenhouse from Costcos. It just proves that you don't have to spend a ton of money.

You've probably seen this one before.... this is my all time favorite! I go to Tyra's blog and just sigh.... Her greenhouse and garden is amazing!


Do you have a greenhouse? If you do what kind do you have? How much did you spend and how do you use it? Is it heated? I'd love to hear from you.