Cacti And Succulents

ATTRACTIONS Succulent plants have been a feature of the horticultural scene for a long time, yet their appeal has not been dimmed by the passing years. When first brought into cultivation, their exotic appearance made them objects of great curiosity. Contemporary accounts reveal the sense of wonderment induced in the minds of those acquainted only with the familiar garden plants of the day. The first flowering of some of those early introductions was often deemed newsworthy but then, as now, the press reports were sometimes greatly distorted. Films and television have made the plants more familiar today. They are freely available from garden centres and chainstores, and one might assume that they would no longer retain their fascination. Yet one has only to watch the reaction of children at a flower show to realise that there is something elemental about the attractions of the plants. The children will pass magnificent displays of roses, chrysanthemums and the like with scarcely a glance, but very few will fail to linger in front of a display of succulent plants. What is it about these plants that appeals? It is usually cacti that make the initial impact. Their appearance is so different from that of other plants that attention is drawn to them. Instead of slender leafy stems, the majority of cacti have swollen stems with spines taking the place of leaves. The association of the plants with a struggle for life in a hostile environment enhances their appeal. The climax comes when the first flowering cactus is seen. Cactus flowers have a delicate beauty which contrasts with the stark appearance of the plants, and they are often brightly coloured. The range of forms among the cacti is considerable. Hollywood has made everyone familiar with the columnar 'organ pipe' and flat-padded 'prickly pear' types, but there are also cacti with globular bodies and many which offset to form mounds of clustering stems. In size they range from tiny plants with bodies less that ½in (1cm) in diameter to giants 40ft (12m) or more in height. In addition to the cacti, many other plants have evolved to survive in arid regions. Some have an appearance superficially similar to that of the cacti, with fleshy stems and an absence of leaves. Some are rosette plants with fleshy leaves, while others compromise by having stout moisture-retaining stems and deciduous non-fleshy leaves. The variety of forms among these is even greater than among the cacti. Add the fact that many of the leaves are of delicate pastel colours, or covered with a powdery farina, or clad with soft hairs just appealing to be stroked, and one can understand why people find it difficult to resist touching the plants. The exotic appearance of these plants might lead the uninitiated to think that they are difficult to cultivate. This is not the case: they are among the easiest of plants to grow. Apart from a small number, which are best avoided until experience has been gained by growing a variety of types, cacti and succulents are undemanding in their requirements. Given a porous compost, a position in good light, moderate watering and enough warmth to maintain a temperature just above freezing point, the majority can be expected not only to survive but to flourish and flower. It is possible to grow fine specimens on a windowsill, though a greenhouse makes life easier for the plants and their owner. Having evolved to cope with the rigours of a harsh natural environment, the plants are forgiving of neglect. A plant that can survive months of drought in the wild will not take exception to lack of watering while its owner is away on holiday.