Have a question on ANYTHING to do with succulents? Go to debraleebaldwin.com and browse the menu or use the Search bar. Btw, my site is not monetized---no annoying pop-up ads. It's my gift to my followers and the culmination of my career as a horticulturist/photojournalist specializing in succulents. You'll find 100+ pages of tips and ideas; thousands of photos and must-know facts for specific varieties; curated design ideas for gardens, landscapes and containers; interviews with experts; seasonal info; and much more. Use the site as a research tool that also is entertaining---the same goal as my RUclips channel. Q's welcome!
I am such a fan now of you, your website, all the wonder you bring and knowledge. Thank you for helping us who need a little help. "Succulents is duh craziest peoples."
Hi and thanks for sharing! I don't have top dressing on any of my succulents or plants because I know here in florida with this humidity, It causes moisture to stay in the soil much longer than without top dressing, but sure is prettier of course. It's better because it does keep the leaves on succulents from hitting wet dirt, but I find causes rot a lot more in high humidity areas. Thanks for sharing. I'm making a new succulent pot soon with all the babies I've propagated. Can't wait!
Hi Stacey -- Good point. Yes, in your climate you want the soil to be very coarse and stay on the dry side, because fungus and other pathogens like damp conditions. Have you tried volcanic rock (lava or pumice) as a topdressing? It's lightweight, allows air circulation, is full of air pockets, and absorbs excess moisture. The colors it comes in are white, black, gray and brick red.
That might be possible, I haven't tried that particular rock yet but sure will give that a go next time!. I sure do appreciate it, tbis summer has been crazy this year, at 9am its already 80%humidity and 90° already.. I just repotted this summer with more perlite because of the crazy about of rain and humidity, even indoors there is so much moisture right now. 😕 drives me crazy. Thanks for the advice. I am to scared to attempt that right now due to all this moisture and my plants are in 50% perlite with 40%cactus mix and 10% good draining potting soil. Crazy that can stay wet for a long time. I've been growing cactus here for a while and this year is different for some reason. I'll probably work up the courage in the winter because I only water my plants about once a month maybe. Thanks for the tip, I'm always looking to expand my knowledge anyway I can. I'm currently working on my lisence to become a professional gardener. Can't wait! So much to learn. Lol. Always something new too it seems.
You are such a joy to watch!! I live along the coast in Santa Cruz, so the air is more wet,. Wondering, would top dressing hold in more moisture in potted arrangements, causing rot? Should I just stick with pumice- since its so porous? Especially with our (hopefully) wet winters.. And at what temps should I bring my plants inside? Stressing about the cold nights this week ;)
Hi Aimee -- Thank you! Pumice or crushed lava rock are good options if you're concerned about rot. Re temps, it depends on the succulents and whether they're frost-hardy, but a general rule of thumb is to bring them indoors when the temps drop into the 30s.
Hey, Deb. I asked in another of your top dressing videos, but I live in Hawai'i. What kinds of top dressing work best for our humid tropical climate! Thanks!
I 4got to rinse off my pebbles before putting it on top of my small potted succulents, the tiny pebbles are new out of the bag. Is it ok not washing them off?
When I use white pebbles as top dressing, it gets all messed up and mixed with dirt when I water the plants... 🤦♀️ I almost want to put down some cheesecloth or burlap under the top dressing and the soil.
Hi Amanda -- You have several options: Water the plant by setting it in a saucer of water; add more topdressing; use a watering can with a slender spout and direct water to the center of the plant.
Have a question on ANYTHING to do with succulents? Go to debraleebaldwin.com and browse the menu or use the Search bar. Btw, my site is not monetized---no annoying pop-up ads. It's my gift to my followers and the culmination of my career as a horticulturist/photojournalist specializing in succulents. You'll find 100+ pages of tips and ideas; thousands of photos and must-know facts for specific varieties; curated design ideas for gardens, landscapes and containers; interviews with experts; seasonal info; and much more. Use the site as a research tool that also is entertaining---the same goal as my RUclips channel. Q's welcome!
I am such a fan now of you, your website, all the wonder you bring and knowledge. Thank you for helping us who need a little help. "Succulents is duh craziest peoples."
What a lovely comment! Thank you so much!
Hi and thanks for sharing! I don't have top dressing on any of my succulents or plants because I know here in florida with this humidity, It causes moisture to stay in the soil much longer than without top dressing, but sure is prettier of course. It's better because it does keep the leaves on succulents from hitting wet dirt, but I find causes rot a lot more in high humidity areas. Thanks for sharing. I'm making a new succulent pot soon with all the babies I've propagated. Can't wait!
Hi Stacey -- Good point. Yes, in your climate you want the soil to be very coarse and stay on the dry side, because fungus and other pathogens like damp conditions. Have you tried volcanic rock (lava or pumice) as a topdressing? It's lightweight, allows air circulation, is full of air pockets, and absorbs excess moisture. The colors it comes in are white, black, gray and brick red.
That might be possible, I haven't tried that particular rock yet but sure will give that a go next time!. I sure do appreciate it, tbis summer has been crazy this year, at 9am its already 80%humidity and 90° already.. I just repotted this summer with more perlite because of the crazy about of rain and humidity, even indoors there is so much moisture right now. 😕 drives me crazy. Thanks for the advice. I am to scared to attempt that right now due to all this moisture and my plants are in 50% perlite with 40%cactus mix and 10% good draining potting soil. Crazy that can stay wet for a long time. I've been growing cactus here for a while and this year is different for some reason. I'll probably work up the courage in the winter because I only water my plants about once a month maybe. Thanks for the tip, I'm always looking to expand my knowledge anyway I can. I'm currently working on my lisence to become a professional gardener. Can't wait! So much to learn. Lol. Always something new too it seems.
Thank you! You are fun to watch and listen to!
Thank you! I appreciate it!
omg she got such a good sense of humor!
Why thank you, Can Fei. No greater compliment ;+)
Keeps mold at bay as well
You are such a joy to watch!!
I live along the coast in Santa Cruz, so the air is more wet,. Wondering, would top dressing hold in more moisture in potted arrangements, causing rot? Should I just stick with pumice- since its so porous? Especially with our (hopefully) wet winters..
And at what temps should I bring my plants inside?
Stressing about the cold nights this week ;)
Hi Aimee -- Thank you! Pumice or crushed lava rock are good options if you're concerned about rot. Re temps, it depends on the succulents and whether they're frost-hardy, but a general rule of thumb is to bring them indoors when the temps drop into the 30s.
Will the pups have trouble pushing thru the top dressing so should it be a thin layer?
Not a problem. Similar to their natural habitat.
Kathy Macomber .
Hey, Deb. I asked in another of your top dressing videos, but I live in Hawai'i. What kinds of top dressing work best for our humid tropical climate! Thanks!
Crushed lava rock!
You look stunning. Thank you from South Africa. Would love you and Laura here!
I like your video! Putting a top dressing will it not soffucate the soil by compressing the soil with the roots? Thanks
No. Top dressing actually helps aerate the soil because of the gaps between the rocks.
I 4got to rinse off my pebbles before putting it on top of my small potted succulents, the tiny pebbles are new out of the bag. Is it ok not washing them off?
Shouldn't matter. The dust is harmless and will come off when you water the plants.
@@QueenofSucculents Thank you 😊
Why is it every video I watch that you make is missing 1/2 the audio in the beginning or the end?
Are those San Pedro Cacti in the background?
Yep.
I love using topdressing, but with a huge Coast Live Oak tree it is difficult to keep the rock looking tidy.
I have an oak tree too. A blower helps, and long-handled tweezers are good for removing prickly leaves from the centers of plants.
Debra Lee Baldwin thank you! That’s reassuring!
Good video.
When I use white pebbles as top dressing, it gets all messed up and mixed with dirt when I water the plants... 🤦♀️ I almost want to put down some cheesecloth or burlap under the top dressing and the soil.
Hi Amanda -- You have several options: Water the plant by setting it in a saucer of water; add more topdressing; use a watering can with a slender spout and direct water to the center of the plant.
I don’t know where to buy gold top dressing ,Melbourne can y anyone help where y could get different selection from onkine thank you
Can someone from Melbourne help?
Debra Lee Baldwin they are at I think collector corner near me but we are in lockdown hard to access now thank you
Olá Debra
Boa tarde eu apaixonada pela suas Suculentas
Amo seus vídeos
Bjs
Uh...thank you!
Title: why top dressing is essential
Video: oMg aReNT THesE RoCkS BEauTIfUL