My dad just sent me a picture of the echeveria glauca and aeonium velour that I left at his place in the East Midlands about 4 weeks ago. It looks like they have responded pretty well to all the showers, echeveria glauca included.

However, the glauca has acquired some brownish spots on the outer edges of its leaves that it didn't have previously. I hope that isn't a bad sign...

Echeveria 'Topsy Turvy'

Apparently these are two a penny in many parts of the world, but I haven't seen many in Leipzig. I love the pinkish tinge to the edges of the leaves. No doubt this colouring would come up more in really good light (grrrrr).

If you look closely the leaves are slightly wrinkled, rather than being perfectly smooth. I am not sure if this is a normal characteristic of 'Topsy Turvy' or a sign that this one needs some water. If they plump out in the days after watering I will known it is a cry for a drink.

These aeoniums that I left at my father's are enjoying regular showers offset by sunny spells. I think these conditions are pretty good for aeoniums, which like water more than most succulents.

The echeveria glauca peeking out from behind the aeonium velour is hardy to -12, but we'll just have to wait and see what it makes of all these showers.

East Ruston Old Vicarage

Alan Gray and Graham Robeson, the persistent gardeners of East Ruston Old Vicarage, have defied nature in their corner of Norfolk. Through planting shelter belts of protective trees they have created a number of spaces that boast a micro-climate that make the seemingly impossible possible.

Here is the succulent garden - my favourite element of the massive wall garden that surrounds two sides of the old vicarage. Check out the very healthy aeoniums and the cabbage-like echeverias 'Mauna Loa'.

Many thanks to the Bells of Glenhirst Cactus Nursery for this wonderful baby echeveria 'Arlie Wright', which isn't yet developed enough to shed the leaf cutting from which it was propagated. This is going to live at my dad's - I'm crossing my fingers he'll refrain from watering this little guy too much, as his root system won't be developed enough to do anything with the water.

Bathtime for kalanchoe pumila!

This kalanchoe pumila has sprung up from the size of a thimble to a proud 6" in a matter of weeks. I hope it will flower between now and autumn. Go kalanchoe go!

My Friend's Fat Plants

I wish I could lay claim to these, but they belong to a friend of mine who lives in Auckland. Around a year ago I had them delivered to her as a birthday present from an Auckland cacti and succulent supplier. Nearly a year on they have doubled in size on her balcony.

As my collection has just entered its first growing season at my place, I will be able to say in September whether it is possible for succulents to make similar progress on an east facing Leipzig windowsill. Here's hoping, but alas! I fear not...