What you will need
PLANT
■ A selection of small succulents, such as echeverias and sempervivums
■ 2–3 trailing plants, such as Curio rowleyanus (optional)
■ Decorative moss
OTHER MATERIALS
■ 2 coir fibre liners
■ 2 x 25cm (10in) hemispherical wire hanging baskets
■ Cactus compost
■ Florist’s wire
■ Strong cord, twine, or chain
■ Florist’s pins
EQUIPMENT
■ Baking sheet or wooden board
■ Wire cutters
■ Sharp scissors
■ Dibber (optional) ■ Deep tray
■ Plastic funnel, for watering
■ Jug This project is an extract from Royal Horticultural Society Practical Cactus & Succulent Book, £14.99, DK publishers. The book is an ideal guide for both existing and budding gardeners. It takes you through all you need to know about succulents and cacti, from designing a layout concept to caring for your plants.
The most useful part for us is the plant profiles section, which lays out 200 species of cacti and succulents with clear photographs for each. This is a wonderful tool for identifying different varieties that you may already have or have found in store. Once you know the species, you can look up its specific needs so you can ensure you give your plants the very best care.
Place a coir fibre liner inside each basket. Fill with compost up to the top of the baskets. Make sure that you pack it in as tightly as possible, because any air pockets that remain could cause the coir fibre to sag later.
1Use florist’s wire to attach the outer edges of the baskets to each other at regular intervals. They should now form a secure ‘globe’. Loop a piece of strong cord around one of the baskets’ bars, ready to hang up the globe later. Hold the baking sheet against the top of one of the baskets. Quickly and carefully flip the basket and sheet over, and place them directly on top of the other basket. Ease out the sheet, taking care not to let any compost leak. At the opposite side of the globe to the cord, cut a small hole in the coir liner and tease it open. Remove the first plant from its pot and gently shake away the excess compost. Squeeze the root ball in your hand and insert it into the hole.
5Firm the coir fibre back around the plant, then secure it with a florist’s pin. Repeat steps 4–5 with the remaining plants, positioning them evenly around the globe with enough room between them to allow for growth.
6When most of the globe is covered, invert it and hang it up from a secure point. Carefully plant up any empty areas on what was the underside. Once the whole globe is covered with plants, pin decorative moss onto any exposed areas of coir.