HOW TO MAKE A SUCCULENT WREATH-HUNTINGTON LIBRARY
A fun day to learn more about our new hobby and build a succulent wreath and have it ready for the holidays!
On a Saturday I had reservations for the garden classroom in the Huntington Library. All the materials were provided along with the green thumb experts to lead the class. Why a succulent wreath? Well we are both really into the succulents and cactus growing and potting and this just makes sense for us. This is a living project and it will keep on growing for a long time while the traditional holiday wreath is from clippings and will dry out and be thrown away in the spring.
Lets get started and see what we are working with.
Wide variety of succulents-woody stems are the best.
Wreath frame
Living moss from Oregon
Crafting wire and gloves
To make the wreath we first have to form it with the moss and saturate with water then drain. In a bucket of regular water the moss is submerged briefly to soak. Then we formed clumps like meatballs about the size of a baseball and make sure they are compressed and tight. Making as many as we needed to form a circle around the frame. When the moss is compressed and tight it keeps the moisture in and allows the succulents to root and grow.
Now the moss is finished and we need to secure it all with the crafting wire. Wrapping around with an inch or so gap is fine. This allows for the moss to be held together and room for the insertion of the succulent stems in the next step.
Now the problem… how to arrange it! Not really a problem but based on looks, color and size is up to you which can take a while. Inserting the succulents is the easy part!
For the insertion of the clipping(living) or rooted succulents we had to prep them. Simply remove from the dirt and take the roots off. Same goes for the pedals to form a stem or shaft about 1-2 inches long. This stem section is going inside the moss to take root and grow.
How do I do that? We used chop sticks to make a hole after wiggling around and then sticking the stem into the hole. Florist pins can be used to secure the larger succulents until they are rooted.
Arrange the pieces as you see fit which takes the most time of this project but you want it to be amazing, right? Balance out the large pieces and spread out the little ones here and there to fill in and cover the moss wreath. Remember this will be hanging on a door or wall so you should plan out a top and bottom design or let it grow wild! To attach you will just use the same crafting wire to make a loop and tie it off.
All finished now and they look great! Now you want to do the same right?
Class is over and time for recess and to stretch our legs.
Since we are at the Huntington Library joined the rest of our friends in the Tea Room. There is so much to do at the Huntington Library: gardens, library and museum, restaurants and photo ops.
Later that led way to a big secret and something smaller than a wreath was given to bring the day and relationship full circle.
Related Blog: How he asked: Christina and Brian
Continuing the day walking the grounds hand in hand surrounded by beautiful mother nature and our close friends. If you get a chance to come to the Huntington Library please do, it is an amazing day and so much to see and do you will need a second trip.
Such a perfect day for us all!
Still inspired by the succulent wreath class the following day I went to my local hardware store Home Depot and picked up the supplies which wasn’t a lot. I wanted to make an “orb” that I have seen online. A hanging moss ball used to grow either indoor plants or succulents.
I did the same steps and formed the moss ball. Using the similar type of thin wire and natural twine I am able to build the orb.
Preparing the succulents from my backyard and some new ones from the store I am ready.
Inserting the stems and instead of pins I am wrapping the twine around the stem to secure.
Now the reason why I am using the natural twine along with the moss it to keep it together better and hold in the moisture longer. I have seen other hanging planters use the similar technique as well. I did not completely cover the ball with the twine, this is so the moss can still be exposed and soak in water when needed. Imagine that rubber band ball you made but now it is growing succulents!
This project was harder due to the fact I could not lay it down on the table but I made it work. It will grow fill out nicely. Even if there is an empty spot I could trim the succulent and have it grow back and become a double stem and cover more area and the trimming would go into my planter to use later.
