Sedum morganianum aka "Burro's Tail"

Photo by: telemsadikoglu

Photo by: telemsadikoglu

Family: Crassulaceae

Origin: Southern Mexico & Honduras

Bloomtime: Summer

Winter Hardiness: 40-45 degrees Fahrenheit

                      (4-7 degrees Celsius)

Nicknames:

Sedum morganianum

'Burro's Tail'

'Donkey's Tail'

'Burrito'

Sedum morganianum is a beautiful succulent that, when grown in a container, will drape off the edges and hang vertically downwards. They are perfect for indoors or outdoors, but require a lot of sunlight for healthy growth and color. During the winter, the plant should not be watered while it is dormant. 

Burro's tail is one of my favorite Sedums because it adds a touch of color and variety to potted arrangements. I've found that mine is a very slow grower. Hopefully one day mine will be as beautiful as the ones photoed above! (Photos by telemsadikoglu)

FAQs, Feature Photos & Contact Info

WELCOME TO AMBIE'S SUCCULENT BLOG!

Here are some links to quickly find the answers to my most commonly asked questions. :)

If you'd like to have your photo featured on my blog, read below!

Otherwise, CLICK HERE to be taken to my main homepage where you can find ALL my blog posts!



How do I propagate succulents?

- Leaf Cuttings -

- Plant Cuttings -

What type of soil should I use for succulents?

- Best Soil to Buy -

What type of succulent do I have?

I have a question I don't see an answer for?

Feel free to send me an email at: ambiessucculents@gmail.com

Please note: I AM NOT AN EXPERT! I am happy to try to help you, but I cannot guarantee I can. I am still fairly new to succulents myself, but I learn more every day. :)



HAVE YOUR SUCCULENT FEATURED ON MY BLOG!!

Have a succulent or cactus you would like to show off? Would you like to see it on my blog? Then follow these steps on Instagram to possibly have your photo chosen to be displayed on my blog!

1. Follow my instagram: www.instagram.com/ambiessucculents
2. Tag your succulent photos with the tag: #ambiessucculents
3. All photos must be original and taken by you!! But the succulents do not necessarily have to be your own. They could belong to someone you know, or one you saw at a nursery - but please no wild succulents because....
4. Succulent/Cactus photos MUST be labeled with the exact variety. An example would be "Aeonium Kiwi". If you write "Aeonium" only, the photo will not be selected. If this information is not included, your photo will NOT be chosen. DO NOT GUESS. If you do not know for sure, then please do not choose that succulent to be featured.
5. If your photo is chosen, I will credit your photo and include a link to your instagram on my blog.

Questions? Email me at ambiessucculents@gmail.com or contact me on my instagram!

What kind of soil should I buy?

Black Gold Cactus Soil

With succulents it is extremely important that you use a very fast draining soil. When I first started collecting succulents, I read that I could buy "any cactus soil" or that it would be extremely easy to make my own. But I've found that all the cactus soils in the stores are NOT made the same. And make my own soil? There are so many different recipes out there, and each one calls for so many different ingredients. Just doing research on the internet made my head spin and made me feel extremely overwhelmed. I'll just stick to buying soil for now.

So which soil should you buy? I personally use the Black Gold brand of Cactus Mix. Black Gold is a completely organic soil, and is extremely porous and fast draining. One thing I love about this soil is unlike most soils, even when it is damp, you can pick it up and the soil will just crumble apart as your sprinkle it through your hands. Black Gold states that their cactus mix "contains a balanced blend of perlite/pumice, earthworm castings and compost to encourage healthy growth while ensuring ample aeration and drainage that most cacti, bromeliads and succulents require to thrive."  I find Black Gold mix at Orchard Hardware Supply, but it may not be sold in all areas.

If Black Gold is not in your area, or you prefer to use a different brand or make your own, here is a huge tip to make sure the soil is right for your succulents:

The water should completely drain through your soil in 15 seconds. If you do not see any water coming out of the bottom drains in 15 seconds or less, the soil you are using is too dense and is retaining too much water.

In nature, succulents grow in rocky terrain or in the desert. The areas they grow in drain very quickly and do not retain moisture, and succulents have developed ways to survive in this environment. When the soil does not drain fast enough, this can lead to root rot, crown rot, or bugs. Also, the faster the soil drains, the less chance you have of over-watering your plants!! This is extremely important for those of us who are at risk of killing our plants because we 'love them too much'.

It took me a few different soil purchases* before I found the one I love, but once you find the right soil for your plants you will know immediately. And it will make all the difference to the happiness of your plants. :)

(*Note: The first soil I bought was Miracle Grow's brand of Cactus Soil and I recommend NOT using that soil. Miracle Grow's brand retains too much moisture and often stays overly damp for days at a time. I had to replant all of the succulents that were originally planted in the Miracle Grow's soil. I recommend staying away from that brand, at least until they figure out a better recipe for faster draining soil. )

Aeonium "Kiwi"

Aeonium Kiwi, in Cat Candle Holder

Small Aeonium Kiwi, Close Up



Aeonium Kiwi

Family: Crassulaceae

Origin: Morocco

Bloomtime: Summer

Parentage: Aeonium hawarthii Hybrid

Winter Hardiness: 25-30 degrees Fahrenheit

Aeonium Kiwi is one of my favorite succulents because they have such a beautiful color and shape. They are bright green with a beautiful red lining on their leaves. I've found that they are extremely hardy, and love lots of sunshine... But my small one in the cat candle holder is in a moderately shady place and is still doing fine too.

Their rosettes can get up to 1-2 feet wide! I can't wait for mine to get that big. :)

Portulacaria Afra aka "Elephant Bush" or "Spekboom"

Portulacaria Afra

Portulacaria Afra

Family: Portulacaceae

Origin: South Africa

Bloomtime: Summer

Winter Hardiness: 25-30 degrees Fahrenheit

Portlacaria Afra is a species of succulent that is also known as "Elephant Bush", "Elephant Food", or "Spekboom". I've found that this plant is extremely easy to grow from cuttings. In fact, all of mine were originally cut from a plant growing at my work. I put them in dry soil and watered once a week, and in about 3 weeks I noticed that small roots were forming from the cut ends.

This plant will either grow into a large bush naturally, or it can be pruned back to turn it into a cute bonsai.

To learn more about growing succulents from cuttings, CLICK HERE

New Growth from Cuttings

Sedum Dendroideum

 Variety of Jade

As mentioned in my previous posts, succulents can either be propagated from small cuttings, leaf cuttings, or from "pupping" - which is where the mother plant will start to sprout new babies, or "pups", directly from the base of the plant.

These are 2 of my cuttings that have taken root! As you can see, even the smallest little cutting will want to grow and become its own plant! It took about 2-3 weeks before I saw any new growth, but eventually these little roots started to poke out! Now they are their own plants and should be watered as any normal succulent - watering only when the soil is completely dry.

For more tips about growing succulents from cuttings, please visit my other post: Propagating Succulents from Cuttings

Or, for tips on how to propagate cuttings from leaves, please visit this post: Propagating Succulents from Leaf Cuttings

Propagating Succulents from Leaf Cuttings

Leaf Cuttings placed on dry soil

In addition to propagating succulents from cuttings, some succulents can also be propagated from the leaves the fall off!

Tips to grow baby succulents from your own succulent leaves:

1. Remove a leaf from the mother plant. Sometimes these leaves fall off on their own by simply brushing up against it, or sometimes you may need to wiggle the leaf side to side to remove it. It is very important that you remove the leaf COMPLETELY from the stem, and if a little bit of the stem comes off with it that is fine. Most succulent leaves will not grow unless the entire leaf is removed.
2. Not all the leaves will grow, so it is best to take a few to have a better chance of success.
3. When you remove the leaves from the mother, make sure to note which side of the leaf was facing "up" and which side was facing "down". As the new babies grow, the roots will grow on the side facing down, and the new baby plant will grow on the side facing up. If you accidently put them on the soil up-side-down, the new plant will still grow, but it will now have to struggle to grow through the roots and the growth will be slowed.
4. Place the leaves on top of DRY soil. The leaves can even be left out on a counter or in a little container. The most important thing is that the leaves do not get wet until they start showing new signs of growth. This step is extremely important. If the leaf gets wet too early, it will most likely turn black, become squishy, and die.
5. I keep my leaf cuttings indoors in a place where they get bright but indirect sunlight most of the day.
6. Depending on your climate, new roots or baby plants should start growing from the cut end of the leaf within a few days to a month. Patience is key. It may take longer than a month, but as long as the leaf looks healthy, continue to let it sit.
7. Once new growth occurs, gently mist the cuttings with a spray bottle when you see the top soil is dry. 
8. If the roots seem to be all above the soil you can either gently put a little soil on top of the roots where it is now, or pick up the leaf, dig a little hole, put the roots under the soil and cover it up.
9. When the cuttings get a little larger, I usually mist them as normal, but every other week I give the soil a good watering.
10. Eventually the mother leaf will wither up and die. This is normal. By the time the leaf withers the baby plant should be able to grow on its own.

Alternative Options:

• Some sources say to use a knife to remove the leaf, but I've never used a knife and find that my leaves grow just fine.
• I place my leaves on top of dry soil, like in the picture above. Some people like to place their leaves so that the cut end is sticking into the dirt and the leaf is vertical. This method will also work, but I like to lay mine on top of the soil so I can easily see when there is new growth.

If the mother leaf starts to die:

• If the mother leaf starts to shrivel up, turn yellow or black, this means that unfortunately this little leaf didn't make the cut. Don't worry! Not all the leaves will make it.
• Sometimes the leaf may start to shrivel when there are roots but before a new baby plant appears, or it may shrivel up before the little baby plant is able to grow on its own. In this case, the plant will die. Don't worry! Once again, not all the leaves will make it. You probably didn't do anything wrong. Keep calm! If you followed my tip about removing a bunch of leaves at once, you should have other babies that will thrive! :)

Aloe Cultivar "Sunset"

"Sunset" Aloe, Up Close

Aloe Cultivar "Sunset"

"Sunset Aloe", Up Close

Family: Aloaceae

Winter Hardiness: 25-40 degrees Fahrenheit

One of my favorites, this is the "Sunset" Aloe. I purchased mine on eBay. I was nervous about buying a plant on eBay, especially since this variety isn't the cheapest, but I fell in love with it and had to have it. Within a few days I had my very own, and I found that it was shipped with great care. I absolutely love it!

This beautiful aloe is a blue/teal color and has bright red dots grows along the edges of the leaves. This is definitely one that stands out in my garden, and always gets compliments.

To get your own, check out the listings on eBay: CLICK HERE

Aloe Brevifolia, the "Crocodile Aloe"

Aloe Brevifolia

Family: Aloeaceae

Origin: South Africa

Winter Hardiness: 25-30 degrees Fahrenheit

Bloom Time: Fall/Winter

Aloe Brevifolia is also known as the "Crocodile Aloe", and it's easy to see why! Tiny spikes grow along the edges of the leaves, and down the center of each leaf.



Like most Aloe plants, this one will propagate by "pupping". Pupping is when new baby plants, or "pups", begin to grow around the base of the mother plant. The baby pups should be left to grow with the mother until they are large enough to break off from the mother with their own roots.

Crassula Capitella, the "Campfire Plant"

Crassula Capitella

Family: Crassulaceae

Origin: South Africa

Bloomtime: Summer

Winter Hardiness: 30-32 degrees Fahrenheit

Crassula Capitella is also known as the "Campfire Plant" because it turns a beautiful bright red color when exposed to bright sun for long periods of time.

I've found that this succulent does not do well in shady spots, and will eventually elongate and wither. Bright sunny places indoors are best for it, or it can be kept out doors as long as the weather is still warm. Like most succulents, when the climate gets cooler it should be taken inside to avoid damage to the plant.