Vendor Feature – Geffray’s Garden

Overflowing with a large variety of cacti and succulents in bloom, you’ll probably have noticed the Eden of a stall that is Greffray’s Garden. Begun nearly thirty years ago, owner Claude Geffray traveled here all the way from Normandy, France to explore his interest in these mesmerizing plants. His fascination with succulents and their unique geometric shapes grew from a private collection into a thriving nursery and landscaping business. Now, you can find the fruits of his labor at our Saturday morning markets! It’s the perfect time of year for succulents, as those that flower are in full bloom. Celebrate summer by taking home one (or many) of these drought-resistant wonders.

What is a succulent? They are drought-tolerant plants that are specially adapted for storing large quantities of water in their leaves, branches, stems, and roots. This allows them to store water for times when water becomes scarce. Most people are familiar with the cactus family of succulents, which contains over 3,000 species. Because they can store so much water for long periods of time, it makes them low-maintenance and relatively easy to care for. Perfect for beginner plant parents!

Plant care can be a confusing, complicated, and time-consuming activity. Thankfully, Geffray’s Garden has made it easier for us by providing simple guidelines for succulent care:

Containers

The first piece of advice is to avoid clay pots, especially for plants under 6″. Clay pots are porous, so water evaporates from them quickly as they heat up in the sun, which can cause the fine roots adjacent to the walls of the pot to burn. If you do choose clay, Geffray’s recommends a pot that is glazed on the outside. Overall, they recommend plastic pots for all sizes of plants. If you are looking to repot a plant that has outgrown its home, the best time to do so is early in the spring or in the fall.

Soil

The basic requirements for succulent soil are that it should be fast draining and slightly acidic. Here is their recommended formula: 1/3 Hummus (NOT the food, but a mixture of leaf mold, peat moss, redwood compost, loam, and/or potting soil) and 2/3 inorganic coarse ingredients (perlite, pumice, lava rock, or decomposed granite). Most plant nurseries sell soil that is succulent-specific if you need a faster fix.

Light

Succulents are sun lovers – strong light, with a few hours in the morning sun, is best. If your plant was raised in a greenhouse, it will need protection from the hot mid-day sun, so make sure your plants have access to partial shade. In nature, small plants grow under shrubs or are shaded by rocks, so try to simulate that best as you can. NEVER move a plant directly from partial to full sun, as this can cause them to burn.

Air and Temperature

Plants living in stagnant air get weak, so in order to cultivate vigorous plants, they will need air circulation. For plants indoors, this can be accomplished with a small fan. Outdoor plants have nature’s fan (the wind). Temperature-wise, succulents take hot temperatures during the warmer months, from March to October. To protect your plants in the winter, move them to an unheated, but frost-free place with an average nightly temperature of 40-50 degrees and a daytime temperature in the 60s. Plants from mountainous regions can tolerate a little frost, but for your beach babies, place a blanket over them at night to protect them from frost.

Water

In early spring, plants should be watered with caution until they show signs of new growth. Less is more when it comes to succulents! Once new growth is visible, they will need ample humidity. Soak them thoroughly and let them dry between watering during this period. In spring and summer, water once per week, with smaller and leafier plants needing upwards of 2-3 waterings per week. In fall, reduce watering, and in winter, only use enough water to prevent the plant from shriveling up. Remember, they store water in their leaves, so when in doubt use less.

Fertilizer

Fertilizing your succulents will help ensure they are strong and vibrant, and encourage them to bloom. Low nitrogen (5-10-5) fertilizer with trace elements is best. Apply it every four weeks, half strength, in spring through fall. You can fertilize organically using a bone meal and green sand. Gypsum is great for cacti, as it provides non-alkaline calcium to the plant, which is good for strong spine formation.

Pests

There are some pests to keep an eye out for- mealy bugs leave white wooly patches on leaves and spines. To prevent this, use systemic insecticide or insecticidal soap as directed. If you see white patches on the roots while repotting, clean the plant thoroughly and discard the soil. Spray the roots with insecticidal soap and re-pot them in a clean pot with clean soil. To fight against the little brown, mound-like scale insects, use a systemic insecticide.

Now you’re ready to become a proud succulent parent! Purchase your first at Geffray’s Garden at the Saturday morning market!