Succulent Cone revamped

I decided to make another wire mesh cone today. I wanted brighter colors and different plants to stand out against the fence. After creating it, I decided the fence just wouldn't do them any justice and moved them to the white wall. MUCH BETTER. Anyhow, see the previous post, sempervivum cone, to see directions. To revamp them, I added bright green sedum varieties, blue sedum, aeonium and some graptopetalum paraguayensis. The sedum is easy to tuck into the wire mesh, even with roots on. I found hanging them with two nails, one at top and bottom, held them in place better. I added extra soil after they were securely hung as well, topping off with pea gravel.

Cement and Pumice containers

Succulents can be grown in a great assortment of creative containers. Some of my favorites so far are simple concrete cinder blocks, recycled cement blocks and pumice stones.

Cinder blocks are cheap, locally a little over $1.50 each. Push a square of fine gauge wire inside to keep the soil in. Many people have made cinder block container walls which are nice looking. We decided a more sculptural container would be fun. The blocks are glued together with construction adhesive.

Single cinder blocks are fun too.

Pumice stones are cheap at Rock Yards. Take the pumice stone and hammer out a bowl. They are really light and can easily be moved around for a different look or to change growing conditions. I make sure to add a lot of gravel into the soil to keep the roots from sitting in water. Water lightly.

Make the hole any size you want, but deep enough to hold the plant in.

Cement blocks recycled from removing our shed makes a nice looking tall sculpture.

Sempervivum Cone

I had the idea the other day to create a small cone to hang hens and chicks (sempervivum) on the fence. I had extra fine gauge mesh left over from creating a cinder block sculpture so I decided to give a try. It worked out beautifully.

Get some fine gauge mesh at your hardware store. Cut into a rectangular / square shape. Roll into a cone shape and squeeze the bottom together. I also folded the back rough edge under to keep the sharp wire edges from cutting me.

Fill half way with pebbles, add a bit of cactus and succulent mix mixed with pebbles.

Hang your cone on a nail where you would like it placed. Smash ends to keep soil and pebbles in place.

Take out your sempervivum and flip it over. Clean off roots, clean up dead or drying leaves, then tuck gently into the cone. Add more pebbles and soil and to hold it in place.

Now you have a lovely hanging sempervivum bouquet.

I am in zone 9b. Hot summers, a little rain, light freezes. I have had trouble with sempervivum either burning up or rotting. This last year I have found a successful way of growing these. For me, I take the soil off the roots and gently place in a mostly gravel mix. Roots just barely touching dirt. Morning direct sun only, bright light always, to keep color and help with growth. Very Light water. I have many spreading hens and chicks finally!