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

Glad you posted this because I think I have the same one looking poorly, at least I think it's the same. I thought it was getting too much sun and got it out of this mixed pot and have it in semi-sun/shade. I will be watching for an answer. Mine may look ok in the pic, but it had a couple bad spots like yours, and it has a bleached out look.

I'm planning to get a 'Holiday' avocado tree (dwarf). This would be the first tree I've ever planted. Wondering if I can just dig a hole use the existing soil or should I be adding something? I've done research but haven't found a solid answer. I think my soil is pretty good. I have some thriving succulents and random drought tolerant plants, indicating that the drainage should be good. I'm located in northern CA if it matters. The same question applies for peaches or any other fruit tree actually. I'd like to plant a couple more dwarf trees if possible. I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks!