By Barbara Rengers – Certain activities regarding growing plants and other aspects of the succulent hobby tend to recur at about the same time every year. In January: 1. You may expect Mammillaria plumosa and M. schiedeane to bloom now. The epiphytic Christmas cacti and many rhipsalis may also bloom. …

By Barbara Rengers – Certain activities regarding growing plants and other aspects of the succulent hobby tend to recur at about the same time every year. In February: 1. If globular cacti like rebutias and a few of the mammillarias begin to show signs of flower buds, water when weather permits so they start to fill out …

By Barbara Rengers – Certain activities regarding growing plants and other aspects of the succulent hobby tend to recur at about the same time every year. In March: 1. Most of the leafy succulents need more water. 2. Large epiphytic cacti require more water and should be fertilized. 3. Use a soft paintbrush to remove …

By Barbara Rengers – Certain activities regarding growing plants and other aspects of the succulent hobby tend to recur at about the same time every year. In April: 1. All plants except some of the stemless Mesembryanthemaceae can be given a good watering. This should be done in the morning on a day expected to be warm …

By Barbara Rengers – Certain activities regarding growing plants and other aspects of the succulent hobby tend to recur at about the same time every year. In May: 1. Plants show increasing amounts of growth. Flowering is seen on mammillarias, lobivias and rebutias. With higher temperatures, increasing amounts of …

By Barbara Rengers – Certain activities regarding growing plants and other aspects of the succulent hobby tend to recur at about the same time every year. In June: 1. Plan to enter at least one plant in the HSCSS Show and Sale. 2. Consider volunteering at the show. It’s great fun talking “succulents” all day with other …

By Barbara Rengers – Certain activities regarding growing plants and other aspects of the succulent hobby tend to recur at about the same time every year. In July: 1. Growth of all plants will continue. Most will do well outdoors, but not all tolerate full sun. Introduce plants to full sun carefully! 2. Some shading might …

By Barbara Rengers – Certain activities regarding growing plants and other aspects of the succulent hobby tend to recur at about the same time every year. In August: 1. Shading is no longer needed for sun-loving genera, but don’t keep leafy or shade-loving varieties in full sun. 2. Last month to fertilize. 3. Propagation by cuttings …