Emma Sibley - The Little Book of Cacti and Other Succulents

I would love to dedicate this book to my grandparents, Ben and Ethel Howard, for passing on their green fingers to me.

Contents

WHAT ARE CACTI AND SUCCULENTS?

Cacti and succulents are plants that can store water in their leaves and stems, which allows them to survive in very dry places. All cacti are succulents; cacti have areoles small, round, cushion-like bumps from which spines grow but succulents have none.

These hardy plants have been part of the horticultural scene for a long time, but they have become increasingly popular with urban gardeners and green-fingered city dwellers in the past few years.

Today there is a greater choice of houseplants than ever before in specialist stores, garden centres and florists, with a wide variety of cacti and succulents to pick from. We have, however, become accustomed to seeing the Organ Pipe and Prickly Pear Cactus in Hollywood films, but there are many more forms with globular bodies and unusual leaf shapes and textures, such as the hanging Fishbone and Pencil Cacti.

There is a common belief that these low-maintenance plants can survive all forms of neglect, but this is not always true. This book aims to describe a selection of some of the better-known cacti and succulents, as well as more obscure and hard-to-find ones. It will also shed some light on the best watering habits, where to position your plants, and how to deal with any problems that may occur.

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

Each plant entry includes key information about caring for that particular variety. All the information is clearly organized under appropriate symbols which will help you give your plants everything they need to grow and thrive.

KEY TO SYMBOLS

	LIGHT
	WATER
	GROWTH AND CARE
	POTTING
	FLOWERS
	PRUNING
	PROPAGATION
	WATCH OUT FOR
	QUIRKS
	DID YOU KNOW

Each plant is given its common and Latin name; occasionally these are the same. The Latin or botanical name provides information about the relationship between plants and is known as the taxonomic status. All plants belong to a particular family and these are divided into genera (the plural of genus). The Latin name of each plant consists of two words; the genus and the species. The genus is a collective name for a group of plants, and the species (or specific epithet) tells you more about a particular plant.

BUYING YOUR PLANTS

I believe that after purchasing your first prickly friend, the decision to start a collection of cacti and succulents is almost taken out of your hands. An addiction to these plants seems to take hold.

You can purchase cacti and succulents almost anywhere; local florists, online growers and specialist stores are all ideal places to begin your hunt. Dont be afraid to ask if you want something in particular to grow your collection.

The succulents and cacti you can pick up from your local garden centre are often growing in small, solitary pots containing one or two rosettes, so the opportunity to pick up a few of these at a time and grow them together is a joy in itself.

How often do you see a cactus or succulent standing lonesome on a window ledge? They are almost always accompanied by a second or third potted friend.

HANDY TIPS

When choosing your plants, consider the health of the plant. Watch out for scarring, dying leaves, root rot, damage or discolouration. Most importantly, make sure your plant doesnt have any bugs or diseases. Dont fall into the trap of feeling sorry for a plant because you will end up having to do more work to try to revive it.

ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT

CLAY OR CONCRETE POTS

These are ideal for cacti and succulents because the walls are porous and allow excess water through. Plants are usually sold in plastic pots, which are less attractive than clay pots, but do help the plants retain moisture.

WATERING

It is always handy to have a watering can to make the task of hydrating/feeding your plants fun. Youll find some plants prefer to be watered with a mister.

COMPOST AND GRAVEL

Most collectors have their own recipe for the ideal compost mix; however it is perfectly acceptable to pick up ready-mixed cacti and succulent compost in your local garden centre. This is a sandy and gritty mixture that allows good drainage for the roots. Ensure that the compost you use is loose and aerated, even when wet, to prevent waterlogging and root rot. You will need to put a layer of gravel or small stones in the bottom of each pot to help with drainage.

OTHER TOOLS

Trowels come in a range of sizes and are useful for mixing soil and repotting plants. Buy a sturdy pair of gardening gloves; without these repotting can be a painfully prickly business! A small pair of cactus grippers or tweezers is also useful for pruning and propagating your plant.

PROPAGATION IS THE PROCESS OF CREATING NEW PLANTS FROM A CUTTING, AN OFFSET OR A SEED.

Once you are the owner of a cactus or succulent you will be able to start creating your own collection. Propagation can be done in several ways; the most popular ways are taking cuttings and raising plants from seed.

CUTTINGS

Many cacti and succulents produce pups or offsets (small versions of themselves) in the first few years of growth. These can be removed from the parent plant, rooted and then repotted. You can remove one of the fleshy leaves of a plant such as a Houseleek or Burros Tail very easily without damaging the rest of the plant. If you place this leaf on a bed of dry, gritty soil you will soon notice that the cut surface dries and hardens, forming a callus; shortly afterwards it will start to root. When rooting, keep cuttings in light shade to prevent them shrivelling. Small plantlets should begin to sprout from the base of the original leaf, which means it can then be planted. The original leaf will eventually die back, leaving room for the new plant to grow.