April 23, 2011 Succulent Wach

April 23, 2011 Succulent Watch

I'm finding the succulents both delightful, and a draw on my patience.  I definitely over watered my first Christmas Cactus (not pictured), because it seemed to be dying, and water was surely the answer.  It's a cactus, my partner reminded me.  It's been removed to the top of the microwave* so I ignore it more.  I took a larger cutting from my parents' Christmas cactus, and put in in a pot that drains (left), and have been instructed by the cactus plant food I bought to wait until the soil goes dry before watering.  The little jade is plugging along well (center, front), as is the generic cactus (center, rear).

I also bought an aloe, and in attempting to split it so my I could give my parents half, I killed one half.  This is the sad other half, in a pot that drains.  It may or may not survive.  Only time will tell!

*I don't really believe in using microwaves for cooking--I really consider mine a glorified butter warmer, and use it maybe once a week to soften butter before I spread it on toast. If at all possible, I prefer to reheat via oven or stovetop.