Blog article by Cindy Yee, UC Master Gardener-Solano
I have been searching for a “perfect” giant horse conch in SW Florida for a while now. The horse conch is Florida's state shell and can reach 24 inches long. I think it's right up there in desirability with the coveted junonia, although many might disagree. Four Florida beach vacations later, still no perfect horsie. My husband kindly suggested I consider buying one, but collectors will laughingly tell you that it's not the same thing.
On our last trip in January, I was shelling by myself at 4:30 am on Sanibel Island's Gulfside Beach Park. Believe it or not, avid shellers can be found on the beach at all hours of the day and night. A very nice sheller I met who had been there since 3:00 am (wearing a headlamp in the dark) pointed out a large, well-worn horse conch sitting on the upper wrack line.
She then showed me her gorgeous golden yellow horse conch that she had found on the other end of the beach and said she definitely didn't need this one. I first thought, Hmm, that's a heavy shell to lug home in such worn condition. Then it dawned on me, what I could do. It could be used as a succulent planter! So, home it came.
The shell is 8.5 inches long. Notice in the first picture several holes, which should work well for drainage. Lined with fine mesh and filled with succulent soil (I use garden soil and add pumice), it was ready to be arranged with cuttings. Armed with my spray bottle mixture of rubbing alcohol and water, I wandered round the yard, noticing that mealybugs were thankfully not bad. I nipped off a handful of smaller succulents of various colors and shapes, and let the cuts dry off overnight. Allowing the cuts time to seal off is essential to safeguard the succulents from bacteria in the soil. Even though the cuts have been sealed off, the planter will not be watered for a week. As the cuttings settle in and gaps appear, more cuttings will be added for a fuller look.
So here's my succulent shell planter - it does look cute. There is another shell, this time a lightning whelk with a large hole, it will be next.
Cheers!