A neat and original composition of cacti and succulents will become a real decoration of the room. The plants that make up it, as a rule, are themselves unusual and decorative. When planted together in the original bowl or vessel, the effect is amplified many times. To make such a composition is possible for everyone and everyone, the main thing is to show a little patience, imagination and take time to prepare and land. We will tell you what to look for, which plants to choose, how to arrange them and how to maintain the mini-garden in proper form.
Proper utensils
One of the main advantages of the selected plants is a small root system and a low growth rate. This allows you to create spectacular small compositions of succulents with your own hands, which will not occupy too much room space. Best for these purposes are wide and low plates, which can be in several tiers, with decorative elements. In terms of color, preference should be given to neutral shades, which will not visually distract from plants, but only emphasize bright greens. Remember one rule: the height of the bowl should be about 1/3 of the entire composition. The material of the dishes can be anything: plastic, ceramic, glass and even wood, but always with a drainage layer and holes at the bottom to drain excess moisture when watering.
Use a decorative powder
It is not only beautiful, but also benefits plants. Since the composition of succulents and cacti is located in a small container, moisture evaporates faster, the roots can be exposed. Powder with small stone chips, glass decorative elements, small expanded clay, etc. These processes will slow down and protect the root system from overheating. The latter is likely due to the fact that such mini-gardens require direct sunlight, the only way they will maintain maximum decorativeness and not stretch, not fade.
Choose cacti and succulents carefully
A master class is the best that can help you in this matter. Especially if you had no previous experience with plants, their taxonomy. Ask for help from specialists, study thematic literature, as the modern variety of succulent species is very large. From general recommendations, it should be noted that plants should be selected as similar as possible in terms of care (watering, transplanting, growth rate, lighting, etc.). The neighborhood of cacti and succulents in this regard is not entirely true, but it looks spectacular. In order to somehow neutralize the imbalance, choose the most hardy types: mammals, rebuts, echinopsis.
A composition of succulents and cacti of the same genus looks very beautiful. They are in harmony and unity, but meanwhile they differ from each other in shape, color. For example, lithops, or living stones. Amazing plants that resemble hooves grow very slowly, so you do not have to transplant them for a long time.
Do not overdo it with variety. In a low pot with a diameter of 15-20 cm, it is best to plant 5-7 species, no more. Otherwise, the composition will overload, and the plants will develop in cramped conditions.
Set accents
The mini-garden, in which each plant "screams" about its uniqueness, brightness and unusualness, looks strange. Let all of them be amazing, but only a few species should come to the fore, and the rest should harmoniously emphasize them. If your composition is made of succulents, then bring to the background a tree plant, for example, crassula, euphorbia, stapelia, columnar cacti. The middle tier should be slightly lower, and the lower one can generally be composed of ground cover species that will gradually hang effectively over the edge (you should think about a glass-shaped pot on a leg).
Timely care is half the success
After the selected plants are planted in the correct order, the question arises of how to preserve this unique mini-garden. In fact, there is nothing complicated, and the process of leaving consists of several main points. Firstly, the removal of excess growth, which begins to interfere with neighboring plants and spoils the decorative effect. If the composition of succulents is made correctly, then the need for transplantation will not arise for at least 2 years. Secondly, watering. It should be regular (in the case of cacti, do not forget about the rest period in winter) and be accurate. Direct a stream of water at the largest leaves or stones so that it gradually reaches the surface of the soil. You can use the drip system. There must be drainage holes and a drain pan to drain excess moisture.
The best views for creating a mini garden
Before you make a composition of succulents yourself, we recommend that you pay attention to the plants listed below. This selection of the most interesting in terms of decorativeness and simplicity in terms of succulents care:
- Crassula, or Crassula, is a beautiful plant with fleshy leathery leaves. It grows quite slowly, minimal care.
- Aloe - a home "healer", known to everyone, can be useful in landscaping. Spectacular elongated dense leaves with spikes will decorate any composition.
- Echeveria is a rosette plant that forms a green rose from small leaves. Hue ranges from saturated emerald to bluish or lilac. Indoor can bloom unusual and bright.
- Stonecrop - succulent with drooping shoots, forming dense green pillows in the open ground, and in a pot culture, he elegantly emphasize cacti and lithops. Shades and shapes of leaves are very diverse.
- Stapelia will please not only with the spectacular appearance of a tree, but also with large stellate flowers up to 5-7 cm in diameter.