Tricky Weeds? Tweezers, Please

– Posted in: Succulents

Have you noticed? Fingers are sometimes too short, fat and clumsy for picking bits of dirt, dried leaves and pebbles from plants with narrow leaf axils, rosette succulents and spiny cacti. Which is why I wouldn’t be without my long-handled tweezers. 

Not only is debris unsightly, it holds moisture that can rot the crown. I like to groom fleshy or delicate plants with the precise, gentle jabs of a dental hygienist to avoid bruising or scratching the leaves. In particular, those of agaves, echeverias, and aloes last years, so marred areas are truly a shame.

Watch me wield my 12-inch tweezers in my latest YouTube video, How to Weed a Spiky Succulent (2:59).

See more of my favorite tools in the “Success Secrets for Succulents” section of the completely revised and updated second edition of Designing with Succulents.

 

Join me at the

Succulent Extravaganza

Fri-Sat, Sept. 29-30

I’m launching my new book and speaking both days!

Succulent Gardens nursery, Castroville, CA. Free.

At 10:45 each day, to celebrate the release of the second edition of DESIGNING WITH SUCCULENTS, I’ll give presentations on the topic of the book. Each is different; Part One is Friday, Part Two, Saturday.

Watch my Highlights of the 2016 Succulent Extravaganza (4:20).

See my new book’s trailer, A Look Inside Designing with Succulents  (2:02)

When and where will I be speaking next? Check my website’s Events page. Hope to see you soon! ~ Debra Lee Baldwin 

Debra Lee Baldwin
Award-winning garden photojournalist Debra Lee Baldwin authored Designing with Succulents, Succulent Container Gardens, and Succulents Simplified, all Timber Press bestsellers. Her goal is to enhance others' enjoyment and awareness of waterwise plants and gardens by showcasing the beauty and design potential of succulents via books, articles, newsletters, photos, videos, social media and more. Debra and husband Jeff live in the foothills north of San Diego. She grew up in Southern California on an avocado ranch, speaks conversational Spanish, and at age 18 graduated magna cum laude from USIU with a degree in English Literature. Her hobbies include thrifting, birding and watercolor painting. Debra's YouTube channel has had over 3,000,000 views.
Debra Lee Baldwin
Debra Lee Baldwin
2 comments… add one

Leave a Comment

Carol September 7, 2017, 10:12 am

Those long handled tweezers are great for retreiving items that drop down next to the drivers seat in your car. thanks for telling us how to use them with succulents.

Carol Jordan September 18, 2017, 6:01 pm

love your book. I live in va beach where it has rained 3 days our of 5 this summer. most of my succulents are in clay pots, but I worry about all this moisture. they drain well. any advice?’

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