I recently decided to try my hand at creating a Succulent/Cactus Fairy Garden in a container.  Because I’m a “need to know as much as I can before I start a new project” type of person, I’ve been checking out books on various types of succulents.

Not all books are worth the time to read let alone purchase, so anything you see here are books that I have or soon will purchase for my own permanent resource library.

Water Me Next Week: A Succulent’s Plea is a book that I loved leafing through and devoured in reading all the tips, hints, and plant care information.  I think that this information will help me keep cactus and succulents alive in my home (which has never been easy as I tend to water too much).

Normally, I’d put the book cover blurb right here but for this book that blurb is very long, so read more about Water Me Next Week: A Succulent’s Plea by hitting the ‘continue reading’ link below.

(also, the cover picture and the light blue links will take you to Amazon where you could purchase this title if you wish) I’m also fairly certain you could find this at your local library.

From the cover:

Have you tried growing succulents and failed?  Are you contemplating growing these drought-tolerant plants but don’t know where to start?  Or perhaps you already have a few but can’t figure out what is wrong with them?

Succulent plants have the reputation of being resilient and easy to grow and maintain, but they can also become delicate and hard to please when treated the same way as non-drought-tolerant plants.

The most common reason for failure when growing succulents is giving them too much water.

If you search online for succulent care tips, you’ll realize there is much conflicting advice when it comes to watering succulents. The more you explore, the more confusing it gets.

Some say they water their succulents twice a week, while others water twice a month. Some soak their plants in water, but some give just a few drops. Some say that misting is not good, while others swear it’s how they kept their succulents alive.

How will you know which one will work for you?

Furthermore, not all the advice you get from others is right for your succulent plants. One method might have worked for others’ plants, but that same method might harm yours.

Do you know why?

Because you might not have the same plant species, and if you do, the plants may not be the same size. You also likely do not have the same soil mixture, and even if you do, containers can vary.

Your succulents might be indoors. Theirs might be outdoors, soaking up more sun than yours is inside. And then there’s the environment; your humidity levels are probably different, too.

A succulent species and its size, soil mixture, container, sunlight exposure, and humidity levels matter. All these factors can affect the amount of water your succulents need—and how often they need it.

Succulents are plants that store water in their leaves, roots, or stems. Let’s make it even simpler: they store water. That description alone can tell us what makes them different from other plants.

The water they absorb is the very reason why they can survive in areas where water is scarce. Their stored water can sustain them for several weeks, or even months.

But succulents don’t just store water. Succulents are good at conserving and protecting their supply. Most of their unique features are their adaptive ways of saving and protecting their stored water.

Their changing of colors, waxy coatings, cobwebby hairs, and flour-like coatings are there for a reason—to protect them from the harsh heat of the sun and keep their surface area moist, or to keep insects away.

The more you understand the uniqueness of these plants, the more you’ll realize how special they are.

It is also worth knowing that although all succulents store water, they do not all handle it the same way. Some can save more, while others can only hold a small amount at a time. Some can go for more extended periods without being watered, while others will show signs of need.

To be successful in growing succulents, you must understand how water plays an essential role in their existence, and base your care on the location where you are growing them.

In this book, you’ll learn about the uniqueness of succulents and the unusual way they handle water.  Whether you have just bought your first succulent or need guidance on how to care for plants you already have, this book will explain how to use the correct soil mixture, acclimatize to prevent sunburn, identify signs of overwatered succulents and save them, and create a watering schedule your succulents will love.

Growing succulents and creating arrangements using them is a very relaxing hobby—if you understand how to care for them. Start your hobby off right by understanding the uniqueness of succulents, their strengths and weaknesses, and the unusual way they handle water.