Cactus and Succulent Basket/Topiary

Happy Cactus Monday!

One single cactus

This cactus photo was taken when I visited the Melbourne Botanical Garden on Saturday. I went a bit crazy taking photographs at the cacti/succulent sections. There were so many varieties that I have not seen before. I have yet to sort out all the photos so for now, I only have this to share…

I am enjoying taking Cactus photos in black and white.

Topiary

I put this together a few months ago. It is an easy and cheap project. Here are the few easy steps:

• Buy a shallow basket (this one was $1 from a charity shop)
• Line with plastic, then make a few drainage holes
• Place the basket horizontally, fill with soil.
• Line the top with sphagnum moss
• Secure the moss to the basket tightly using wire. Ensure that nothing falls out when it’s vertical or upside down…
• Add a hook at the back (*)
• Plant succulents : make holes using a chopstick and insert succulents.
• Leave the basket in a horizontal position until the succulents have taken root

I have not hung this basket until recently, because I have been contemplating replacing/rearranging the succulents. But it has been growing well, which is why I have left it alone for a while.

(*Note:  Add 2 or more hooks, if you are intending to turn the basket around to encourage even growth)

Lesson learnt

This works better than my last topiary (shown on the left), when I had used only sphagnum moss and no soil at all. The topiary dried up too quickly with the moss alone on my balcony, and I had to water it daily. It may also be due to the shape of the topiary that had a lot of exposed surface area.

On the other hand, the topiary in the basket above, with soil and sphagnum moss only requires watering once a week. I am much happier with this one.

Visit Teri’s Painted Daisies for more Cactus Monday links.