How to Make a Living Succulent Wreath

Succulents such as jade, hens-and-chicks, donkey's tail and rosette-forming crassula all grow well from cuttings. By placing these cuttings into a sphagnum-wrapped wreath frame, you can create a living patio centerpiece that will grow and last for many years.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wire Wreath Frame
• Garden Shears
• Liquid Fertilizers
• Sphagnum Moss
• Paddle Wire

1. Prepare succulent cuttings by taking pieces of established plants a few days prior to building your wreath. (A shopping bag full of cuttings should be enough to make an 8-inch wreath.) The cuttings should be at least 3 inches long. Allow them to dry for a few days to form a scab on the cut end.

2. Attach the tag end of #24 paddle wire to a wire wreath frame.

3. Soak sphagnum moss in a bucket until it is moist. Half a bale of sphagnum will make one 8-inch living wreath.

4. Cover the wreath frame with the sphagnum moss. The brown side of the moss should face up and the sides should overlap by at least 2 inches on both sides of the frame.

5. Dip the cut end of a succulent cutting into a rooting hormone.

6. Lay the prepared succulent cutting onto the moss-covered frame near where the wire is attached. The cutting should lie on its side.

7. Cover the cut end of the succulent with a new piece of damp moss. Wrap the overlapped moss over the new piece of moss to cover the end.

8. Wrap twice with the paddle wire. Be very careful when wrapping the wire around the stem of the cutting. If you wrap too tightly, the wire will cut into the tender flesh of the succulent.

9. Continue adding cuttings, covering with moss and wrapping with wire until you come to the end. Cut the wire and tie off to the back of the frame.

10. Soak the finished wreath in a bucket or water with a hose to settle plants in place.

Tips & Warnings

• Allow the wreath to dry completely before watering.
• Place your succulent wreath in a sunny location. Fertilize every few weeks with 1/4-strength liquid fertilizer.
• Don't over water your wreath - especially in the beginning when roots are starting to form.

[debraleebaldwin]

on 1/27/2009 The next step is to make a succulent topiary, which you can do using wire form other than those specifically for wreaths.--Debra Lee Baldwin, author, "Designing with Succulents" (Timber Press, 2007) and "Succulent Container Gardens (2010)