Well here goes, I've found that "my" cacti & succulents that get mostly shade and bright light but no direct sun light do fine, they seem to take on different shades of green colors , they're shapes also vary and just like all these plants that take on looks of there own look interesting and unique. If you still want light, set up some mirrors to deflect the sun, then whatever happens next is sure to be totally unique, but I think you'll like the shade results, maybe. Greg

Thank you, Norma, for the advice! I have learned so much from you already from your past posts and I know that your wisdom is held in the highest regard here on GW. Hi Puglvr - I'm still learning to grow them and I think I'm in the process of slowly losing my jovibarba and one of the aloes. :-( They were victims of a previous potting into very sandy soil, I'm afraid. It's been a constant learning process but I'm so glad that there's such a great group here on GW! Josh - I don't have a camera right now, and there are some pictures of jades that I'd love to share with you :-P In the meantime, here are some pictures that I took two or three weeks ago -- can you tell I love succulents that form rosettes?! :-) This echeveria has formed into a really pretty emerald-colored clump with one large "mother" rosette. I thought this one was a goner from the peat mix at HD. It dropped nearly all of its leaves back in June, but has rebounded nicely and is forming new baby rosettes on the stems and even flowered! This jovibarba is flowering as its last gasp of life... I think I watered it too much when it was sitting in sand and I think it's rotting because the rosettes are kind of shriveling up and dying. ... and from the planter of semps... Hopefully they'll make it through the winter outside!

Pardon me but I do grow all of these & wish to clarify. I believe the last 2 plants pictured are Aloes jucunda or juvenna & they do grow in that tallish manner, not the more short, squat form of the first 2 plants which are both Haworthias. The point of amending the mix is to make it porous & fast draining. Look at the texture of the mix in these pots. These are all different kinds of Aloes on a West window. The one on the right just tried to bloom but blasted, weather got strange, sigh. Gill, This may be more of that same last plant Aloe, It's a taller one as I said, not eliolated here at all, just normal growth. Sharif, Pls. read on succulents & their ability to hold water in reserve in their fat, fleshy tissues. This allows them to go w/out water for some time. These are not fragile or delicate houseplants or tropicals that need such frequent watering. I say this as you're a bit too concerned w/ giving them water, you seem to need it more than they do, they have evolved to need less of it. So pls. let go some of that concern about wateriing, it's both unnecessary & can actually harm the plant & rot it Also, Haworthias, don't necessarily want full sun. The edge of a window can provide partial shade which they often like. The Aloes will want full sun after being exposed to it gradually. Oh, it's great that you've got clay pots, even the tiny ones, that'll help these guys. Have fun! Lena

I suspect the planter has no drainage holes judging by its placement on the wire rack? To allow any plant to thrive, succulent or not, it must allow for drainage. Also, what kind of mix are they planted in, it looks very dark and peaty? Gill