Repotting a Huge Cactus!

I bought a Golden Barrel cactus from work a couple weeks ago. I was thrilled we got them in, always wanted one!! It was in a small green plastic pot and of course I have more interesting ones to plant it in. Or so I thought...

Here is my arsenal in preparation for handling this cactus. A little overboard? Maybe...but I didn't want to get speared by him! (I actually found it easier to handle than some of the smaller cacti with tiny spines!)

Our neighbour had a garage sale, and before work I had to stop over. I picked out a 'seatless' child's chair and asked them to hold it for me till I got home. When I got home, I picked up my chair, picked out another item and they gave me the most fabulous cement container! Almost needed the dolly to carry it home, it's so heavy.

I decided the cactus would look perfect in it. But, it looked silly...big as the cactus was, it was way too small for this container. Oh well, I had a new terra cotta pot on standby. The pot will look better when it's well 'used'.

I put a selection of other succulents in the cement planter...and they were a perfect match!

Hawarthia, crassula & echeveria

So this is what I did with the chair! I had a pot that fit perfectly in it, added some fennel and creeping Jenny. I like the way it trails and hides the plain black pot. I put it on the stairs beside the herb garden in the raised beds.

Still haven't put anything in my other garage sale find...pretty sure it will end up an terrarium. :)
(Oh brother...can't find the picture anywhere!! Will have to take another and add it tomorrow.)

It is heavy & solid, I love it. Mind you, it would make a pretty awesome canister or candy jar! Probably what it started out to be... guess it will sit on the table till I find the perfect use for it. :)

Succulent in distress

I was out shopping the other day for spray paint at a big box store and I just had to stop by their tropical section. :) I discovered a succulent I was sure I'd have a hard time finding up here! It was in pretty bad shape, probably over-watered. After talking with the customer service rep I was able to get a 50% discount, so it had to come home with me. This is what it looked like when I got him home. Very stressed and produced a flower stalk because of it. I'm praying I'll be able to nurse him to his full glory!

Echeveria with carunculations (possibly 'Baron Bold'?)

 

 Here he is after I've re-potted him. I found this old container I had spray painted last year, think I'll give it a bit of sanding to make it look more rustic. 

I gave him a good pruning, saving some of the better bits to root and hopefully get some new plants! I've since cut off the flower stalk so his energy goes into healing. 

Here is another one I bought at the same time. He looks healthy and gorgeous so I couldn't resist him! My collection is looking wonderful!

 Echeveria 'Country Fair'

After potting him in one of my own clay pots.

 Mammillaria fraileana in bloom

My miniature garden with the Euphorbia milii 'Crown of Thorns' blooming

I'm joining the ranks

Well, I've done it. Broken down and created a blog. It's been the rage for years, but then I've always been slow to jump on the bandwagon. I don't know how much time this will take, or how often I'll be able to post, especially at this time of year! Work keeps me busy plus trying to keep up with my own gardens, which I'm way behind on right now.

Lately I've been reading so many blogs relating to gardening, succulents, house plants and the like that I figured I could have fun with one, too! So I decided it was time to take pictures of my house plants so I can share them. Couldn't find the camera, had to use my phone and as a result most of the pictures are grainy or blurry. I did manage to get a few good ones, the best one being this aloe picture. Guess I'll have to ask my husband if he knows where it is when he gets home.

I want to share this picture, my orchid is finally blooming again!! Yeah!!! Only one but it has 4 flower stems and lots of buds so I'll be enjoying it again for a long time to come. :)

 This shows my hydrangea from Easter. I'm going to try to keep it going and hopefully have it bloom for next year. Wish me luck!

I planted up my Canada Day planter yesterday. The geraniums are not blooming yet and the Diamond Frost needs to fill in more, but come June I know this planter will be stunning. I always put it at the top of the drive and add a couple small Canadian flags to it. I love the patriotic look. Yes, I AM CANADIAN!!! :)

One of the blurry pictures but not too bad. I love this small cactus garden I planted a couple months ago! The tiger jaws cactus is going to be so much fun watching while it grows. Oh, and see the hoya next to it? Potted up last year and it loves this east facing window. Looking forward to the years ahead with this hoya, they are incredible plants. I can't wait to get these all out to the courtyard for the summer!! 

I've got a few trays of succulent cuttings I'm trying to root. It's the first time I've tried this and I've lost a couple already, but hopefully I'll be able to get most of them growing into tiny plants. Trial & error...I'll get it eventually. :)

I've got a couple of my succulent gardens outside today hardening off, getting ready for the summer in the courtyard. These ones are beside the hardy, year round succulent bed. I love this part of my gardens!

Sticks of Fire...can't wait for the 'fire' to come to this succulent! Stunning when it turns red. 

Ok, the rest of the pictures aren't worth posting. Oh well, not a bad start I think...first time blogging and it really is a lot of fun! 

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