Out
On A Limb / March 2007
Fats and Sharps
Rat Tail Cactus
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Succulent plants have an extremely extended family, with members in over sixty plant families. They have relatives that are bromeliads, orchids, spiderworts, periwinkles, daisies, geraniums, bluebells, begonias, amaryllis, and of course, aloe.
Additional kin are found in wild yams, peppers, gourds, beans, aloe, mint, and all cactus. Known as succulents or fat plants, they store water in their leaves, stems, roots or a combination. Aloe is a leaf succulent; most cacti are stem succulents. The water gives succulent plants their characteristic swollen or fleshy appearance. They often have other water saving features, like absent or reduced leaves, using stems instead of leaves as their main site of photosynthesis, and waxy, hairy or spiny outer surfaces to reduce water loss and air movement near the plant’s surface.
In species that are classified as leaf succulents, nearly the whole leaf is composed of water storage tissue. Leaf succulents have extremely short stems.
10,000 species of plants are considered succulent, about 4 % of all known species.
Many succulents originate from dry areas of the tropics and subtropics, in steppes and deserts. To survive high temperatures and low precipitation, the plants were forced to collect and store water over long dry periods. They exist in an endless array of shapes, textures, colors and forms.
Succulents exhibit a variety of ingenious methods to protect themselves from predators and water rustlers.
Adeniums and Euphorbias have a poisonous sap that deters predators. Some plants have a foul taste that makes them unpalatable to most predators. Cacti and many other succulents have thorns to protect themselves from grazing predators.
 Jade Plant
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Some have amazing camouflage. Lithops, a succulent often called “Living Stones” imitates the rocks that surround it. The main part of root succulents is hidden, not only from predators, but from the sun.
As in all families, each succulent and even each plant, is different. One Christmas cactus will bloom, another will go dormant, and another will grow wildly, all during the same month. All growing conditions are different, so even the same plant under what appears to be conditions identical to the neighbor’s, will not respond in the same way. Subtle variances in light, microbial soil make-up, and water can result in vastly different, though equally appealing, plants.
The common assumption that cactus need bright light is not necessarily true. Though most succulents do respond well to bright, indirect light, many, including some cacti, will shrink away, and often burn, from direct, hot light.
The other natural assumption, that succulents need as little water as possible, is also not necessarily true. Though many plants are lost from overwatering, succulents can also be lost from too little water. During active growth, and especially in hot, dry weather, succulents can require a surprising amount of water to thrive. Types of containers affect watering schedules. Clay pots usually dry out faster than plastic, and large pots stay wet longer than small ones. Both must have drainage holes. Succulents hate having their feet left soaking.
 Hens and Chicks
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A cultivated environment is very different than natural habitat. Whatever a plant may be able to tolerate in habitat can be much different from what it can do in even under the best cultivating conditions. A Saguaro in Arizona can survive extreme heat and extended periods of drought, but in a pot or garden outside its normal climate, all bets are off. Outside their points of origin, plants may lose some of their ability to adapt.
Cacti generally like to be slightly pot bound. They should be repotted only as needed. April is the best time to repot cacti, just as summer growth begins. Wear heavy leather gloves or wrap the cactus in several layers of newspaper for handling. Repot cacti into a container only slightly larger than the present one. If the container is too large, the soil may stay moist and lead to rot. After repotting, wait several days before watering.
As with all plants, the right soil for succulents is always a challenge, but excellent drainage is a must. With commercial mixes, drainage material will almost always be necessary. One test for soils is to take a handful of mix and squeeze it. If it falls apart, good; if not, more drainage material, sand or perlite, should be added.
Whether they are traditional hens and chickens, richly colored jade plants, blooming Christmas cactus, a Golden Barrel or the perennial basket of streaming flagelliformis, alias rat tail cactus, succulents bring lasting beauty inside and out. PL
Copyright © 2007 A Woman's View. All rights reserved.
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