suckulents

I've never had a very green thumb (it's a brackish color at best), so if a plant wants to survive in my house, then the force must be strong with it. Recently, though, I've had a surprising bit of success with two Christmas cacti, one of which bloomed enthusiastically for six months. I also have a jade plant that has grown to fairly impressive proportions, particularly when you consider that it was just a leaf with some roots when I got it. (Note: some would insist that I'm supposed to "shape" the jade, weighting the branches with stones and the like, but I'm just not sure that I can impose my will on it more than I already have.)

Anyhoo, those triumphs under my belt, I decided that it was time to enter the world of slightly flossier succulents. So we bought this:

Lovely, no? But then it started this shit:

What the f*ck? I don't overwater. I keep it in the kitchen, mostly, but I move it to the bar on sunny days, because I figure it might like to catch some rays and have a cocktail. But does it appreciate my care and thoughtfulness? No. It decides to make cactus raisins, which, as far as I can tell, ain't good for sh*t. Look at all the denuded spots:

It's shameful. The others seem to be doing well, which makes me wonder if the snoots at the plant shop did me less than a solid:

So, I'm at a loss. Any suggestions? Bottom line: I don't truck with pansy-ass plants, so if it wants to stick around it best buck up.

In other news, it is finished:
Now I'm off to start on the cantaloupe and peaches, and if you've read The Grapes of Wrath, you know where that will lead. But what the hell - fall comes too soon, so you've got to get your local fruity kicks while the getting is good.