On my online workbook this week: I'll Go First

Dear

This week's inspiration is a making the pretty last.

There are so many reasons why we love designing with succulents. One huge one is that they do not require a water source and we can really get creative with how we place them. But if you do give your cut succulent a water source at the right time… it will root again!

When I create a dual design like this with two types of plants that have different hydration requirements I like to consider the entire life cycle of all the plant material. What will happen to this next? This design will look wonderful for a very long time and you can have a plan for it, being mindful of that to make the pretty last.

The passion fruit vines, because most of the foliage is removed, will likely root as well so it is worth keeping them hydrated in a small amount of water. At first the succulent rests on the basket so that it is suspended by the two basket vine supports right below it but well above the water line. This is important because we do not want the succulent to sag into the design, especially early on before the cut end is callused over.

After a few weeks, and I do mean a few weeks the kalanchoe flowers will first show signs of age. Go ahead and remove those and then replace the Easter eggs to prevent mould.

At this stage you can also start to add more water to the display container. I found it best to just, just let the succulent touch the water (see the picture above). Mine rooted beautifully and is again growing happily ready to design with again and the cut end that I had even has a few tiny succulents forming on it and the vine continued to grow!

Enjoy!

Every good wish,

Christine