Succulent Plant Identification | Succulent Sphere | Containers for Succulents
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My Sedum and Succulent Nursery
Growing my Favorite Plants and Loving It!
I’ve been fascinated by succulent plants, including Sedum, Sempervivum and tender succulents, for decades. That makes it sound as though I’m really old, but I started young – in fact I was about eleven years old when I had my first succulent encounter.
I was hooked, and never lost that fascination.
Even before it became the latest fad, I was xeriscaping; using drought tolerant plants in unique planting combinations, and designing and building xeric gardens.
My new obsession is Jovibarba heuffelii and all the other Jovibarba species, and lately, it's been that fascinating little gem from Chile, Viola cotyledon.
Now I have my very own Sedum and succulent plant nursery under the umbrella of Blue Fox Farm.
I sell mail order plants through the Garden Shop, which allows me to cultivate my enthusiasm, as well as the plants, to my hearts content, and learn more about the ever fascinating ways of plants.
Sempervivum stock plants in my micro nursery
An online plant nursery is sometimes the only way to get specialty plants; I'm determined to send out healthy, happy unusual plants to your mailbox.
Joining clubs is a fantastic way to meet other plant fanatics, and membership in Alpine Garden Club of B.C. or others like it in your area gives you an opportunity to exchange seeds and plants in your area of interest.
Growing plants for sale and gardening in general has become the fastest growing interest in older generations.
The baby boomers have discovered how fun, and how profitable gardening can be.
I, along with many others in my generation, enjoy using the knowledge that I’ve accumulated, especially over the years since I took my training at Fraser Valley College in Chilliwack, British Columbia to be a horticulturist.
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Indulging in my Passion
If you have an obsession with succulent plants, you have already found out how difficult it is to pass up a cutting from a friend, a tiny potted plant begging for a new home in the box store, or a dish garden at your local garden center.
Unfortunately, I don’t live near a major center; I’ve found out how uncommon these lovely plants are via the internet, especially in Canada, and the restrictions on importing plants from other countries are prohibitive.
That was the spur for me to make my ever growing collection of Sedum, Sempervivum, tender succulent plants and Echeveria available to other Canadian collectors and gardeners by selling mail order plants.
I grow all the hardy plants outside all year, except occasionally when rooting cuttings which may be done in the greenhouse.
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The climate here is warm in the summer months, and usually cold and snowy from November to about mid April. All the Sedum, Sempervivum, Jovibarba and thyme are cold hardy to at least Zone 5 on the Canadian zone map.
Tender succulent plants such as Echeveria Aloe, Haworthia and others that originate in warmer climates are grown in the greenhouse in the summer, where they enjoy the warmth and bright light.
I usually start moving them from their winter quarters about the end of May, and move them back into the house for the winter as soon as the nights become cool and frost threatens in September.
In many cases, the hardy plants are grown in flats or pots, or planted right in landscaped garden beds for others to see them displayed in their preferred conditions, and as stock plants for taking cuttings from.
I have to admit, the propagation aspect of owning my own nursery is a large part of its appeal to me.
The most important feature of any self respecting nursery is the Greenhouse..
I love to take cuttings, make them root and grow into beautiful healthy young plants; seeing a single leaf make roots and a new plant is always a miracle, no matter how many times I see it happen.
I’ve started growing many of the tender succulent plants directly
in an open communal flat, and selling the resulting larger plants bare
root. I also grow many of the Sempervivum this way, if they're not
planted in some of the many succulent crafts that I so enjoy making.
Ways My Micro Nursery is Friendly to the Environment
- I use absolutely no chemicals in my nursery. I feel it’s very important to protect any land we may be fortunate enough to have stewardship over, as well as the customer unpacking the plants.
- I use only natural and organic methods of fertilizing my plants – either adding steer manure or compost to the planting beds, adding worm castings to pots of succulents, or watering with compost tea.
- I sometimes add micorrhizae to the soil for better nutrient absorption by the roots.
- I use sustainable gardening methods of plant culture, more and more every year, including water capture for irrigation purposes.
- I sell most of the plants through this website via mail order to reduce my carbon footprint.
- I send many of the plants you order bare root, so that they are lighter to ship, and I use recycled boxes (the ones from the liquor store are sturdy, and hold up well going through the mail) and newspaper to wrap things in - this ensures that you don't have any debris to deal with on your end - these are all biodegradable or recyclable.
- I re-use all my plastic plant containers and plug trays until they fall apart, then take them to be recycled.
It’s been fascinating to build my Sedum and succulent plant nursery, and I’ve learned so many interesting things about plants, how they grow and their many uses in xeric gardens.
My Sedum and Succulent Nursery through a bean archway
Gardeners and Xeriscapers:
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Philosophy of a Xeric Gardener
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Nursery & Greenhouse Management...
Having your very own greenhouse to use as you like is an unmatched pleasure.
I'm in the very fortunate position of having my very own handcrafted, wood framed, home built garden greenhouse in my garden, with lots of room for propagation, by seed, vegetative and by division.
I use all of these fascinating ways to make more plants:
Puzzling over what your greenhouse should look like? And what kinds of benches you need? Let me help with your design choices, and guide you through the maze with The Greenhouse Gardening E-Book: Finally; help is at hand, buy it today:
Vegetative propagation, or taking cuttings, is a great way to make more plants:
Another great technique to try is simple division of hardy succulents:
I've figured out with a lot of trial and error which sizes of flats, pots and plugs work best with my drought smart plants:
Irrigation tools are a crucial part of any plant growing system:
Pest control is also important, especially in a closed area like a greenhouse:
I've tried many different propagation tools over the years; here are some that work for me in my Sedum and Succulent Nursery:
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