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Cacti and Succulents

Insider's Garden : Episode TIG-202 -- More Projects »
Cacti and succulents are some of nature's most distinctive plants, and they can add a striking decorative touch to your home. Easy to care for, they reward you with colorful blooms and interesting shapes.
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Figure A
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Figure B
The difference between cactus and succulent is complex; all cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti. Cacti always have spines (figure A) and exposed ovaries on the flower. Succulents have tuberous roots, trunks or leaves for water storage.

Cacti and succulents generally need very bright light, but when choosing cacti and succulents to grow indoors, look for plants that need less intensity of light. Three good choices are Gasteria (also known as mother-in-law's tongue), Astrophytum (sea urchin cactus), and howarthia (figure B). These will thrive indoors in direct sunlight.

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Figure C
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Figure D
  • Cacti need to be watered well, then allowed to dry out between waterings. In winter a once-monthly watering may be enough; during the growing season, how often you water depends on the type and size of container and the relative humidity. When watering, sprinkle with a fine shower until the pot is thoroughly soaked and water is dripping out of the bottom. This will wash away accumulated salts.
  • Add standard fertilizer, at one-tenth the usual strength, to the water.
  • When plants outgrow their pots they will need to be moved to a larger pot. Use a 1:1 mix of porous rock such as pumice and a common houseplant potting mix. How cacti and succulents are replanted depends on the type of root they have. Tuberous root plants (figure C) have a large, carrot-like root structure. Leave a portion of this root exposed when re-potting. Fibrous root plants have long delicate roots (figure D). Hold the plant in the larger pot in the position you want and begin adding soil around it. Don't water plants for a week after they have been transplanted in case the roots were damaged during the move.
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    Figure E
  • Top dressing: cacti and succulents look beautiful when top-dressed with small rocks chosen for their size and color. Spoon the rock mix around the base of the plant to the edge of the pot (figure E). This rock layer has the added advantage of holding the soil in place during waterings. Large decorative rocks can be placed randomly on top of the smaller rock top dressing for an added touch of color and texture.
    • Guests
    Wendell (Woody) Minnich
    Cactus Data Plants
    9607 Ave. 9-12
    Littlerock, CA 93543
    Phone: 661-944-2784
    E-Mail: cactusdata@thegrid.net
    Also in this Episode
    Insider's Garden : Episode TIG-202
    •Cacti and Succulents
    •A Rare Collection of Cacti and Succulents
    •Indoor Desert Scape
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