Even a 'green thumb' fails, sometimes

The succulent garden was beautiful, a present from a friend, and I managed to kill it.

As the granddaughter of a master gardener, I have a pretty great opinion of my ability to nurture plants, indoors and out.

My grandmother, Dagny Nelson, was such an avid gardener in Virginia, that she was honored for her work in Norfolk's public gardens. A nephew found a memorial stone in her honor last summer.

So wow, there should be a genetic trait that helps nurture my own green thumb, right?

That's true much of the time. But a recent failure hit home: The houseplant (photo above) was a gift from a girlfriend (sorry LuAnn!), and it was a beautiful combination of some of my favorite plants, succulents.

I've blogged on the topic before (https://gardensirencall.blogspot.com/2019/07/rock-garden-good-choice-for-sloped.html) as I've planted several outdoors. The red hen-and-chicks are already coming up in the rock garden, thank you!

In fact I got so enthusiastic about the one in question that I killed it with love. I think I watered it right, but it must have gotten too wet. In addition the location inside the house gets a good south sun, but I'm not sure it was enough.

The Christmas cactus located just next to the dead plant is blooming for the third time this year. Maybe the distance of like 10 inches made a difference? I just don't know.

An online search shows experts, such as at Better Homes & Gardens, suggest succulents be watered about once a week while growing. Don't water again until the soil dries out.

Succulents can live for 6-8 years with proper care, or for many years as is the case with our Christmas cactus (more on this topic later). I bought that 'cactus' at Green Thumbers about 20 years ago and have transplanted it regularly.

What next? I'm going to tackle an orchid. My daughter has one in a sunny window and waters it with an ice cube weekly. I may try that. During this COVID-19 pandemic, most of us are caught inside our homes.

I suggest indoor gardening as one way to stay sane.


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