Dollar Store Succulents

I love going to the local 99 cent store. They have some really good deals and sometimes they have plants. I was just going to get a couple, but I felt bad leaving the other ones behind. Shall we play a game of ID the succulent? My best guesses are underneath the pictures. That Sunburst Aeonium from last week seems to be better. The spots have faded and it's turned into the sun from its shady position.

Crassula rupestris

Crassula?

Kalanchoe millotii

Aeonium sp

Echeveria elegans?

Evil Squirrels and Plagues!

This is a call for some help here. Squirrels have been digging up one of my pots, taking plants out, and nibbling on the leaves. I've sprinkled black pepper around and in the pots, but I don't know if that will work. The other problem I have is that my Aeonium "Sunburst" has a bunch of black spots that look like bruising on most of the leaves. Is it too much sun? Is it hail damage from the rain on Sunday? Is it a disease? I've brought it into the shade and I'm really hoping it will recover. Does anyone know what it is?

My first cactus

I don't generally do cacti because I fear the spines. However, on my trip to the desert botanical gardens I found the perfect cactus for me. I bought an Astrophytum asterias home from the gift shop. This spineless cactus was really cute.

Astrophytum asterias "Sand Dollar Cactus"

Valentine's Gift

On Valentine's day my boyfriend gave me three succulents instead of the usual bouquet of flowers. I thought it was really sweet and thoughtful of him. I just finished potting them up last week. I think the pot came out great.

Kalanchoe luciae "Flapjacks"

The Flapjacks were a very pale blue/green when they arrived. After being moved into full sun, they've been turning this great bright red.

Crassula lycopodioides "Watch Chain"

I love the texture and color of this plant. This plant is also known as Crassula muscosa. It adds some unique structure to the pot.

Sedum rubrotinctum "Sedum Brown Bean"

This is a great plant with tiny little leaves. I think it looks like a bunch of grapes. I have to admit that I'm a bit confused as to the difference between this "Sedum Brown Bean" and the "Pork and Beans" that I have. They were both labeled with the same scientific name, but they look very different.

The finished product - My Valentine's Day pot

Desert Botanical Gardens

My boyfriend and I went to DBG on Sunday. It poured the night before, but the rain was expected to leave by 11am. So we went to a nice breakfast then headed to the gardens. The rain kept going until just before we had to leave at 3:30. I'm glad they had umbrellas to rent. It is amazing how the desert smells when it rains. They had some really huge plants and so many trails. We didn't have time to see it all so we're going to have to go back. We got the family membership package so we'll definitely be back a few more times.

Aloe Flowers

Aloe Flowers

Starting to clear up

Huge Agave

Desert landscape

That cactus was huge!

A few of the cacti were in flower

Golden Barrel Cactus

A nest tucked into a Cholla

I hate that I missed this exhibition

The sun finally came out!