NEW PLANTED RED APPLE ICE PLANT CARE???

Hi James,
The photo came through nicely. I assume the 'little green things' are Ice Plant? That looks nice so far. As for water, I think a light sprinkling two times per day at first, you just don't want the area to get dry. If you have a sprinkler, I would guess about 5 - 10 minutes at a time. You don't want the water to run off. If it starts to run off make it shorter.
Not sure what part of Oceanside you are in, 24 is for about 5 or 6 miles from the coast, then it is mostly zone 23. There really is not a lot of difference between the two zones, inland is just a little warmer, less fog, not quite as cold in winter usually. I live in 23.
As for the bigger variety compared to Red Apple, to get it started is about the same. I think after it is established (at least 6 mo.) the large on can probably go longer between waterings.
I have some of the large variety on the bank where I live (I just moved to this hose) it has been there a long time, probably at least 25 years. There is no irrigation on the bank at all. It pretty much depended on rains. The upper part of the bank looks very stressed and the Ice Plant does not look good at all. About two weeks ago I installed sprinklers to give it more water. I turn them on for about 10 minutes twice per week. I'm sure this will help, it has not been very long, so it has not changed much. I think two months down the road I will see an improvement.
January is probably not the ideal time to try to start it. I think this time of the year you will have a much better result.
Take care,
Walter

Hi James,
The photo came through nicely. I assume the 'little green things' are Ice Plant? That looks nice so far. As for water, I think a light sprinkling two times per day at first, you just don't want the area to get dry. If you have a sprinkler, I would guess about 5 - 10 minutes at a time. You don't want the water to run off. If it starts to run off make it shorter.
Not sure what part of Oceanside you are in, 24 is for about 5 or 6 miles from the coast, then it is mostly zone 23. There really is not a lot of difference between the two zones, inland is just a little warmer, less fog, not quite as cold in winter usually. I live in 23.
As for the bigger variety compared to Red Apple, to get it started is about the same. I think after it is established (at least 6 mo.) the large on can probably go longer between waterings.
I have some of the large variety on the bank where I live (I just moved to this hose) it has been there a long time, probably at least 25 years. There is no irrigation on the bank at all. It pretty much depended on rains. The upper part of the bank looks very stressed and the Ice Plant does not look good at all. About two weeks ago I installed sprinklers to give it more water. I turn them on for about 10 minutes twice per week. I'm sure this will help, it has not been very long, so it has not changed much. I think two months down the road I will see an improvement.
January is probably not the ideal time to try to start it. I think this time of the year you will have a much better result.
Take care,
Walter

Walter,

Thank you for replying. I am 3 miles from the coast, so that would be Zone 24. Thanks again for the generous help. I just don't want all my work to be for nothing!

I think I am doing good on the front yard...yes, those little guys are the red apple ice plant I got at a local nursery. Now, I just have to keep my eyes on the larger variety of ice plant I transplanted from my front yard to the slope in my backyard. I went out tonight and watered it really good....It is just hard to do that everyday because I don't have a sprinkler system on my back yard slope. Here is a picture, as you can see...nothing survived from what I transplanted in January....after the rains in February in March, the slope became extremely overgrown with tall grass that eventually dried out and died....Boy, was it a job climbing up and down that hill to clear all that out! I hope the ice plant starts growing this time so I don't have to go through that again! This picture is before I did the transplanting last week...Thanks again and have a great weekend! I am going to post some more pictures of things I am doing as I get the time...I also just planted a small bougainvilla on the left of the hillside, planted a couple of rose bushes, some day lillies, etc. I am finding it is very enjoyable and relaxing...but alot of work!

Hi James,
Not sure what it was like in your area this morning but it was 'almost raining' in San Diego. When it is like this you can probably skip the morning. The main thing is you don't want the soil to get dry. Maybe once a day is enough, you have to 'eyeball' that. The Red Apple should take of fairly fast, it already has some roots. Once you see it growing you can slack off a little, it has a larger root area to gather water. (I'm thinking it will double its spread in about 30 days) The other may take some longer but it should cover that bank.

Your bank is small compared to mine! (at least by the photo) I think mine is about 50' 'up' it is way higher than my house and part of that is two stories. Also mine is super steep, I can't go up, but maybe 10' or so from the bottom. I planted some new Meleluca at the top edge of my bank, it looks even steeper from the top looking down. (I can access the top from another area) My dogs go up and down with some effort but they do it, they also have 4 x 4 drive.
Sometimes 'gardening' can be a chore, but when it gets really bad just stop and then do a little more another time. When you see things growing it will give you more pleasure, it's worth the effort.

One thing you should try to do is keep control of the weeds. I'm sure many will come up, but it is easier to get them out when they are small, less than 3". You can pull or hoe them pretty fast when they are tiny. When the get bigger it is much worse. I would suggest you check the area for weeds at least one a week or they will get ahead of you. Also the weeds use the water and nutrients your Ice Plant should have. Best thing I can say is if you see a few tomorrow get rid of them tomorrow, don't wait. 6 or 7 in a few minutes beats 50 or 60 on the weekend.

ALSO for weeds, once the Ice Plant starts to grow (a month or so) there are products you can spread on the soil that will KILL the weed seed, this really helps a lot and saves the tedious weeding. Usually we do not recommend it for 'new plantings' but once they start to grow, it usually works very well. It is usually spread on as a granule as evenly as possible. Also after that is applied you should try NOT to walk on the area treated, it ruins the barrier effect.

Thank you for the advice! I already have some little weeds (actually, I think it is grass) popping up in my front yard and like you said, I need to get them up before they take over! That is the frustrating part of it and I am hoping the red apple spreads out quickly so it covers the area and helps kill the grass.

My back yard slope isn't too bad. I can climb to the top pretty easily. I have a lot of ice plant on top that I am hoping will grown down the slope...I water it myself with a water hose. I am trying to keep it watered daily.

Thanks again! I will post more pics are things progress!

Have a great weekend.

James

ps...the mornings have been similar to that all week...the ground is damp when I come outside to go to work.

How is the Ice Plant doing?