DIY Network

Spot-On Succulents Home Made Easy's gardening expert shows you how to care for water-storing plants. From "Home Made Easy" episode DHME-150

Guest Fran Sorin joins host Stephanie Lydecker to put the spotlight on succulent plants (cactus, agave, for example), which don't require much care due to their water-storing capabilities.

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Guest Fran Sorin, right, shares her expertise on the topic of succulent plants and why these water-holding plants can be a gardener's best friend.

Succulent Plants

Materials:

terra cotta pot
succulents
soil (sand and soil mix)
trowel

What Is a Succelent?

A succulent is a water storing plant, perfect for people who don't have time to garden intensely. They often give colorful blooms and have interesting shapes. They are durable and can adapt to most environments because they can store water so they make great houseplants since they don't need constant attention.

Features and Types

Succulents have fleshy stems and leaves for storage. They have spines, thorns and hairs to reduce transpiration. They have light colored, reflective surfaces to reflect heat. There are lots of different types of succulents such as Agave, Bromeliads, Sedums, Sempervivum and the well known Cacti.

Planting a Succulent

Make sure the succulent you choose is disease free and has no insect damage. Pick a clay pot like terra cotta that is porous which will dry out quickly. This is good for succulents. Fill up your container with soil (a sand and soil mix is good). Loosen the roots of your succulent and using a trowel, go ahead and plant.

Succulent Care

Succulents needs lots of sun—full sun, warmth and only water.

RESOURCES :

Paper Trimmer
Fiskars
Website: www.fiskars.com

Pruners
Smith and Hawken
Website: www.smithandhawken.com

Flowers
Proven Winners
Website: www.provenwinners.com

Extra Gardening Supplies
Website: www.lowes.com

GUESTS :

Fran Sorin
Author, Digging Deep: Unearthing Your Creative Roots Through Gardening
0446531669
April, 2004
Warner Books
Website: www.fransorin.com