The Art of Nurturing Prickly Beauties

This is the concluding part of the two part series. The first part on Orchids can be found here. with generous inputs from Dr Madhusudan, Indo-American Hybrid Nursery.

Brahma Kamalam- Epiphyllum oxypetalum

Succulents and cacti offer a diverse palette of textures and forms that challenge our expectations of greenery. I remember being astonished when my friend showed me a

tray of Lithops - succulents that look like pebbles. For a fleeting moment, I thought I was being shown well-crafted pastries until I was told they were plants. That sense of wonder struck again when I learned that the locally called Brahma Kamala, known for its beautiful fragrant flowers is actually a cactus, Epiphyllum oxypetalum. It has numerous long, flat, leaf-like structures called cladodes from which the flowers bloom. Unlike typical cacti, it doesn't have spines. The sensational fragrant flowers open late in the evening and close in the morning. (Note: The original Brahma Kamala, Saussurea obvallata, belongs to the Asteraceae and is the state flower of Uttarakhand.)

Moon Cactus- Gymnocalycium Stenopleurum

These fascinating plants like the Lithops and Epiphyllum oxypetalum, are just a small sample of the diverse world of succulents and cacti. Cacti, primarily native to the Americas, are a specific family of succulents with unique features like areoles—structures from which their characteristic spines and flowers grow. While all cacti are succulents, the broader category of succulents extends far beyond cacti, with representatives found worldwide.

Both groups have evolved remarkable strategies to thrive in arid environments where rain might not fall for years, with their plump leaves and stems holding onto every drop of moisture. The spines serve as protection against thirsty animals and birds. When the rains finally arrive, these plants spring into action, drinking deeply and erupting in a brief but spectacular display of life and color.

If you are a beginner, understanding the importance of soil composition is important when growing succulents and cacti in containers. Be cautious with watering, as overwatering is a common pitfall. These plants prosper in well-draining, aerated mediums that prevent water-logging. A good potting mix consists of nutrient-rich soil combined with gravel and perlite in a 2:1:1 ratio. This combination promotes drainage and aeration while helping retain nutrients without accumulating moisture.

Echeveria Elegans

Succulents and cacti typically have shallow roots, so they do well in wide, shallow containers rather than deep pots. Before adding these plants to your collection, research their specific needs regarding sunlight, water, and dormant seasons. When planting directly in soil, choose a location that suits their sunlight requirements and is away from high-traffic areas. Cacti spines can be numerous and painful if touched, and some species produce harmful milky sap. Some succulents or cacti that can’t tolerate full sun may perform well under a shrub or in partially shaded areas.

Indoors, cacti and succulents flourish in a light, airy environment with proper ventilation. Place succulents and cacti in areas with indirect sunlight and good air circulation. Good airflow helps maintain the dry conditions these plants prefer and prevents potential issues caused by excess moisture. Protect them from air conditioners and extreme heat sources. Closed windows, especially during hot afternoons, can trap humidity, which these desert-adapted species poorly tolerate. Regular application of insecticide keeps pests like mealybugs and aphids at bay.

Cacti and succulents have distinct phases of activity and dormancy. The active period is characterized by new leaves and a more vibrant appearance, while dormancy is indicated by a halt in development. During their active phase, they require regular watering, pruning, and feeding with NPK fertilizer that has high phosphorous content. In dormancy, keep them in a sunny, airy place, while avoid watering, pruning, or fertilizing.

Different species have varied active periods, with some flourishing in warm months and others in cooler times. For example, cacti such as _Echinopsis, Mammillaria,_ and _Rebutia,_ and succulents such as _Aloe, Sedum,_ and _Haworthia _flower and grow actively in the warmer months, then enter dormancy during winter. Conversely, some cacti, including _Schlumbergera (Christmas Cactus), Rhipsalidopsis (Easter Cactus), Ariocarpus,_ and succulents like _Kalanchoe, Aeonium,_ are dormant during the summer months and active in rainy and winter months.

The blooming of a cactus is a marvel to behold, as delicate beautiful flowers emerge from plants. It feels like there is a hidden gentleness within those harsh spines. To me, succulents and cacti are the ultimate optimists of the botanical world and serve as a powerful reminder of life's capacity to flourish even in the face of adversity. Until next time, Happy Gardening. This article originally appeared in Deccan Herald on 28th July 2024.

The right kind of sunlight

Urban gardening can be tricky if you do not understand your plants and their needs

“I bought this colorful plant with so many buds. It was lively for a few days and then it stopped blooming.”

“It was the brightest spot in the room. I watered it every day. Now it has all turned yellow”

“I am a serial plant killer. Every plant I’ve cared for has died”

“Do they deliberately sell plants that will survive for just two weeks?”

I am often asked these questions by exasperated souls. Urban gardening can be tricky when you are beginning to garden without a good knowledge of plants and their needs. Once you understand, gardening becomes an interesting and addictive activity.

Though soil, water, wind, temperature, nutrients are all important for the growth of a plant, the one paramount requirement is sunlight. Different plants require a different amount of sunlight. If you’ve been to rose gardens, you will notice them in open areas with no trees in the immediate periphery. Rose plants require ample sunlight, about six to eight hours in a day. So if you buy a rose plant and place it in a partial shade, it will have poor growth and will yield fewer flowers. On the other hand, African violets are indoor flowering plants which require indirect sunlight. If you place them in the bright sun, they will wilt in a day.

You must be knowing that the sun doesn’t rise exactly in the East and West. It happens only on two days in a year, on the Spring and Fall equinox. The intensity of sunlight and the shadows it casts keep changing throughout the year. Gardening in crowded cities is a tad bit difficult because of this. Also because of closely-knit buildings and apartments you mostly get partial shade.

So as part of your garden planning, you must note down how much sunlight your balcony/apartment/house/terrace receives during the day and in a year. If you plan to start a garden in the terrace and it gets six to eight hours of uninterrupted sunlight you are good to go. If it is your back or front yard, again, note the amount of sunshine including nooks and corners. If you plan the garden in your balcony which doesn’t have ample sunlight, you have succulents and houseplants to choose from.

Now that you have an idea about the sunlight, let’s head to a nursery. Whichever nursery you visit, observe how plants are arranged there. My favourite place in Bangalore is the Lalbagh garden and nursery. Once you enter the nursery, the left side is a long stretch with roses and other plants under direct sunlight.

On the right, beneath the shade of huge trees are plants that require much lesser sunlight. As you walk around, the description boards give you the name of plants and the light required: shade, semi-shade etc. Not all nurseries have display boards but most of them have these arrangements sorted out.

Once you know how much sunshine and shade your garden gets, you can select the plants accordingly. You should also know that if you have a mix of sun and shade requiring plants, You have to keep moving them between sunny and shaded areas as the season changes.

The saplings in the nurseries are grown in small containers or in plastic bags. They are just a few weeks to months old and their roots are young which makes them easily transferrable without damage. If it is in a bag cut open the bag with a scissors. If it is a pot, hold it in your hand and invert it. Holding the plant firmly between your fingers, gently tap it to free it from the container. If you are not confident of potting the samplings on your own, many nurseries offer potting services too.

If you do not want to start from saplings but from seeds you are in for a lot of joy. Nothing can match the jubilation of watching the tender green seedling pop its head from that small crack on the surface of the earth and take shape.

Next time we will look at plants that can make up your garden.

Happy Gardening and cheers from the Campsis Radicans, they’ve begun to bloom you know. This article first appeared in Deccan Herald 25th October 2020.