Twice a year, spring and fall, the tender succulents get carted from one place to another. It’s the perfect time to give them a little extra attention with the help of some simple grooming tools. A sable paintbrush is good for brushing away debris that collects in crevices and leaf axils. A serrated steak knife will part pups from mother plants. I used to use tweezers to remove dead leaves from plants and pick detritus from gravel, but then I hit upon using these needle-nosed pliers. I’ll show you another picture of them so you can see how they curve at the end, making them far more useful. First, I want to draw your attention to the arrangement in the tea box that Patricia brought me when we had our last plant swap. It makes a great little hostess gift. There are always plenty of cuttings to be gleaned from succulents that have been growing happily outdoors all summer. Thanks, Pat: our pumpkin carving host is just getting into succulents, and was thrilled with this.
My current favorite tool
I actually gave away a sufficient number of plants that most of the keepers fit by these east facing windows.
A few have spilled over to other surfaces. I do envy those of you with basements, garages and pavilions. Oh, well…what could be better than a lap full of cat, a cozy fire, a hot toddy, a good book and an embarrassment of plants?
They’re looking good! I have a similar assortment of succulents. Have you overwintered the Sticks-on-Fire in the past? Do they overwinter ok? This is my first year with them.
And you know I am a big fan of the hot drink, cat on lap, and cozy fire with a good book.
I was admiring your sticks on fire too. Hope mine make it through the winter. Thanks for the tips!
An embarrasment of plants! Great phrase. I just moved all mine to warmer locations as well. We are getting cold tonight.
I’m joining in the praise of your “sticks” Euphorbia…how do you keep it looking so gorgeous?
I like that you have window space inside where plants will fit and get enough light. Also like those curved needle nosed pliers and will look for some! My firesticks never looks as good as yours!
Love seeing all these succulents basking in their winter window. It hardly looks overcrowded, in fact I think you could acquire a few more quite easily!
Alison~I know…I thought of you when I wrote that.
Bria~Good light should do the trick.
Shirley~Brrr
Loree~and others, re sticks. Funny that everyone likes them so much. I was thinking that they were merely smoldering: not as Fiery as Jane’s. I bought mine in early spring, so I will have to remember to tell you how it goes.
Peter~R always cringes when I start filling up the house, but then misses them when I take them back out for their summer vacation.
Jane ~Thanks for those enabling thoughts.
I could stare at your embarrassment of plants all day long. I like both the needle nosed pliers and the paintbrush ideas. So what are you reading?
I’d be happy in that lovely room of yours all winter long …lucky Succulents!
Grace~I’ve been on a mystery kick lately. James Lee Burke in particular. Did you know that he had 111 rejections for his first novel and when someone finally published it it was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. I find those kinds of stories heartening, don’t you?
Linda~Your lovely heirloom tulip bulbs are all tucked in…I can hardly wait.
Lovely succulents. I have too many houseplants, many suffer coming in the house….not enough light. All our windows except for one are on the north side of the house.
Janet~I should shut up about longing for a greenhouse and be thankful for our many windows.
I like it when people get together and share views.
Great site, stick with it!