Introduction to Succulents and Cacti

by Dueep Jyot Singh, John Davidson, Mendon Cottage Books

Description Table of Contents Introduction How to Recognize Succulents Conophytum Cultivation of Cactuses Potting Best Potting Compost Re-Potting Your Cacti Watering of Your Succulents Propagation of Succulents Propagation through Seeds Propagation through Cuttings Leaf cuttings Propagation through Offsets Pests and Diseases Diseases Cultivated Succulent Plants Agave Aloe Conophytum Crassula Echeveria Euphorbia Haworthia Opuntia Mesembryanthemums- Fenestraria Conclusion Author Bio Publisher Introduction The first time I heard the word "succulent" in reference to a group of plants, I was a bit bewildered. That was because I associated this particular term with delicious things to eat like succulent, juicy spareribs or succulent luscious fruit, fresh off a tree! But here was an experienced gardener talking about a plant, which he called a succulent? It did not look remotely edible at all! Cacti belong to the "Succulent Plants" family. Plants with green leaves that are left in the sun without water are going to flag and wilt within a few hours. They are going to die within a few days. However, mother nature has made some plant equivalents of camels, which can go for long periods without any water. These plants normally live in a hot and dry climate and they have managed to survive since the dawn of time. That is because they are able to adapt themselves to their environment. They are going to pass the dry season as leafless shrubs, seeds or as dry bulbs. Cactus as well as other succulent plants are capable of storing moisture, in their stems and leaves, especially when there is plenty of moisture in the atmosphere. This is so that they can get plenty of liquid available to them, when the atmosphere becomes dry and arid.