BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Container Gardening Succulents and Cacti?

Hi there Everyone,

What do you think of Succulents and Cacti? Yes I know it is a very broad question, still .... please say something!

Do you like them?

Do you grow them?

Do you have any favourites?

Are they easy to care for?

What would you say to a gardener just starting out?


Let us know please, I would really like your input!

Thanks and cheers

Hi All,

I would be very interested in hearing your stories about your growing Cacti and Succulents ... someone, somewhere must grow something that belongs to this group of plants!

As we get comic books that might take the place of the written versions of books, if you don't grow them, do you have any pictures? Smile now.

Cacti and Succulents

Say hi sometime - cheers

No No No No No No No No Nopal!

ZL, today you are proving that old adage correct, when it rains it pours.

On a roll as they say! Set aside some Bella time and went on going, had some interruptions and the distraction of work, but hey?

So now - do tell me a story of the cactus patch in your back yard.

Thanks!

I don't have any in my backyard, but I do love cacti. I need to get some for inside the house. It's been far too rainy here for most cacti. A very unusual spring and summer for sure.

Hi Jana,

Have you thought about which ones you are going to get? There are many that suit indoors with good light.

Cheers

No I haven't yet, but I do like the colorful blooming ones.

Then you must please start with a Schlumbergera.

You know it as the Christmas or Thanksgiving Cactus and it is a beautiful flowering plant that likes medium light. It is so easy to grow from bits. You can start your own tradition by passing on cuttings to your friends and family. In South Africa the popular name is 'inch by inch' which makes sense when you think of the segmented leaves.

Anyway, I am sure you have some favourites too so good luck with your choices and indoor cactus pots.

Cheers now

Thanks Lestie! I'll try to find that here or order it. I have a Freckle Face plant that has been with me for 5 years or better. I've resurrected it a few times...too much water. Folks thought it was dead, but I knew it wasn't.

Hi Jana and all,

That sounds like a Hypoestes. Here in SA we call it more often a polka dot plant or as one of my friends at the garden club says 'old spotty,' but I must say freckle face is endearing. Anyway, as you have had one for so long, I am sure you know this but for others maybe not ... it really likes medium steady light (not direct sun) and always moist not wet soil (never let it dry out) plus, if you mist it now and then it will love it. Also, pinch out the growing tips and it will becomes stronger and fatter and spread readily.

I have some of the green and white one as a pot cover (as in ground cover) at the base of a pony tail palm. The two plants are so different but this is a nice combination, each brings attention to the other.

They say a leopard will never change its spots - and of course not ... but hypoestes will if it gets too much light - the spots will fade.

Cheers now

Yes...I got it when it was only 6 inches high. The thing spreads like a weed. Beautiful plant. It does hate direct sun...I found that out one day when I put it out in the front yard and it wilted on me. They are beautiful plants...