STYLE - For the home (succulents)

Lately I've been really digging succulents. Every since about Easter or so, these fine creatures caught my eye. I love the subtle yet vibrant colors, the easy maintenance, and the pop of life it brings to the home. I've heard it's a good idea to talk to your succulents. Have a conversation with them. It's supposed to help them grow better and last longer. Now I'm a little skeptical about that one but I guess it's worth a shot. What do you say to your plants? Here are a few of my own succulents purchased from my local farmers market and home store.

Here are a few tips taken from about.com on how to care for  your succulent

Light:

Succulents prefer bright light, such as found on a south-facing window. Watch the leaves for indications that the light level is correct. Some species will scorch if suddenly exposed to direct sunlight. The leaves will turn brown or white as the plant bleaches out and the soft tissues are destroyed. Alternatively, an underlit succulent will begin to stretch, with an elongated stem and widely spaced leaves. This condition is known as etoliation. The solution is to provide better light and prune the plant back to its original shape. Many kinds of succulents will thrive outdoors in the summer.

Temperature:

Succulents are much more cold-tolerant than many people assume. As in the desert, where there is often a marked contrast between night and day, succulents thrive in colder nights, down to even 40ºF. Ideally, succulents prefer daytime temperatures between 70ºF and about 85ºF and nighttime temperatures between 50ºF and 55ºF.

Water:

Succulents should be watered generously in the summer. The potting mix should be allowed to dry between waterings, but do not underwater. During the winter, when the plants go dormant, cut watering back to once every other month. Over-watering and ensuing plant rot is the single most common cause of plant failure. Be aware, though, that an over-watered succulent might at first plump up and look very healthy. However, the cause of death may have already set in underground, with rot spreading upward from the root system. A succulent should never be allowed to sit in water. The following are signs of under- or over-watering.

A few of my own succulents I purchased from my local farmers market and home store: