Shis thsue: (¥Y The resources you need to pick the right hikes And more! (Y Stop HIV & hep C now: know how to end stigma ¥ 10 offbeat ways to stay sun safe this summer How to care for succulents » The plant-astic gardening phenomenon Natalie Serafini me Assistant Editor Massistant 2 @theotherpress.ca Let Wee it comes to garden- ing, [have more of a thumb-of-death than a green thumb. My forays into foliage have inevitably ended with anda visit to the compost bin. Even the perennial herbs that wither away under my caring touch. Rather than try to cultivate a skill that I might never develop, I’ve decided to turn to the fool-proof plant solution: succulents. Succulents are in the drought-resistant plant family, numbering the well-known cactus among its members. They often have rubber-like leaves and stems, which help to conserve water in drier, warmer climates. Because they a lot of attention. Because they don’t need a lot of attention, they’ve been described as “nearly indestructible”; their the cats of the plant world. In addition to their ability to survive even the most absentminded of horticul- turalists, succulents have gorgeous leaf patterns and features with their rubbery texture, and succulents have a striking, alien-like appear- : ance that adds incredible : visual interest to any home. You should be. : could get technical as you : search for a plant whose needs : meets your commitment level, : but since they're generally : pretty fool-proof you likely shrivelled stems, wilting leaves, fen fencounter a finicky : fern, water-guzzling weed, or : cadaverous cactus. My gradu- : ally growing collection of plants : are supposed to last year-round : features succulents that were : selected ona purely aesthetic : level—what can I say, I’m super- : : ficial. While some research : : about your plant will likely be : necessary, you can pretty safely : : purchase first and look at the : instruction manual later. : chasing your succulents is : transferring them to a con- : tainer. Keep in mind that pots : without drainage will require : some fancy planting: if water ; : accumulates at the bottom of conserve water, they don’t need _: . . : the container, it could make : the soil mouldy, which would : kill offyour succulent despite : any of your best efforts. To independence makes them like easily prevent this, put some : small stones in the bottom : ofthe pot before the soil, to : create a layer of drainage. you keep your succulent in : should largely mimic those . . : that the plant would find in charming hues. Combine these : itsnatural habitat. They'll : need bright—but not scorch- : ing—light, so give your li’! Convinced? Good. Choosing a succulent The first step after pur- The conditions that : succulent some sun exposure, : keeping an eye on the leaves : to ensure they don’t show : signs of overexposure (e.g. : turning brown or white). Watering can be relatively : infrequent with succulents : (suggestions state watering : once every other month in : the winter), but make sure : you water “generously” over : the summer. Now, remember : that watering generously still means you should allow the : soilto dry between waterings. : It’sa balancing act that sounds overly complicated, but really : isn’t as long as you keep an eye : onyour plant and its needs. Succulents can withstand : lower Vancouver temperatures : pretty well, so you won't have : torecreate a desert in your : home—good news for your : hydro bill! Generally speaking, : the important thing is that : your succulent remains dry : andin environments with good : air circulation. Succulents : can deal with temperatures : between roughly 7- to 29-C, so : Vancouver weather shouldn't : be too much of an issue. Just : remember that living in : Vancouver, with our lack ofan : arid desert, means that you will : likely have to move any outdoor : succulents inside for winter : tomake those plants last. With that basic intro- : duction, I’d say you're about : ready to go forth and attempt : tomake some plants prosper! Have an idea for a story? Let us know! Contact: Sophie Isbister, Life & Style Editor Mlifeandstyle@theotherpress.ca www. theotherpress.ca Succulent / By Natalie Serafini 10 succulents with which to adorn your home 1. Echeveria elegans 2. Echeveria “Morning Light” 3. Sedum album 4. Sedum clavatum 5. Mammillaria 6. Aloe vera 7. Crassula emerald 8. Haworthia attenuata 9. Kalanchoe tomentosa 10. Sempervivum arachnoideum The night markets 1n Richmond » Paradise for the frugal foodie Brittney MacDonald Senior Columnist opening of the night markets. Due to their popularity, these bustling open-air markets are popping up everywhere. Night markets originated in Asia, are open late, and boast stalls full of goods, both edible and otherwise. markets in the Lower Mainland happen to be in Richmond, : practically right next to one : another. The International : Summer Night Market along : Vulcan is one of the longest We the advent of summer} running night markets near comes the long-awaited : Vancouver, but it got so large : and popular a few years ago : that it was split in two. Now : the Richmond Night Market : has gained popularity due : to its close proximity to the : Bridgeport SkyTrain station. shopping, entertainment, and Two of the most well-known : games galore—but everyone : knows the best part of the night : market is the food! Sporting Both markets offer : stall after stall of carefully : crafted street food, the night : market is the frugal foodie’s : paradise. That is, if you don’t > mind standing to dine, or > overcrowded picnic tables. : The food is mostly different : Asian cuisines, but for the less : adventurous there are hot dogs ? and mini donuts. If you have a picky eater : or special dietary restrictions, : there’s no problem. The : countless stalls offer up plenty : of different options, from : various dishes featuring rice : noodles and satay for that : gluten-free friend, to miso soup : and grilled scallion buns for : your animal-friendly, vegetarian : buddies. For that sweetie with a : sweet tooth, you'll want to swing : : bythe many bubble tea stands, : : or maybe grab a box of hand- : spun dragon beard candy. And : for the tastefully adventurous, it : would be hard to leave without : trying the grilled squid tentacles : or curried fish balls. : The only thing better than : the unique and tasty food on : offer is its price: the majority : of the dishes are under $7. : There’s a reason street food is : a favourite among students! : Both of Richmond's popular : night markets are open until : fall, and they make a fantastic date night or an inexpensive : and interesting night out with : friends. The Richmond Night Market has a $2.25 admission : fee and is open Fridays and Saturdays from 7 p.m. until : midnight, and on Sundays and : statutory holidays from 7 p.m. : until u p.m. The International : Summer Night Market has the : same hours and no admission : fee.