Just 20 years ago, I was bitten by the cactus bug while vacationing in Arizona. From that time on, the collecting fever has grown steadily worse. Until now, I have some 500 plants—cacti and other succulents.
In my hit-and-miss collection of early days, I ordered a Gymnocalycium Damsi (Jim-no-caly-see-um), commonly called Dams Chin, that I read about in a catalog, which stated that it was the easiest to grow and flower of any cactus. I also ordered two or three others from the same family.
To my surprise and delight, they all bloomed during the spring and all summer and have bloomed every spring and summer since.
Their flowers, large for such small plants, range in color from white, with a little drop of chocolate brown tipping each petal, to pink and yellow.
For Winter Blooming
I knew what I wanted—cacti and succulents that would bloom during the winter—so I began making a list of those easiest to grow.
I found that most succulents come from Mexico and South African deserts or bushlands; however, some are found in the United States, Central and South America, Arabia, Africa, and the adjacent islands, including Madagascar. All require a lot of coarse sand.
Echeverias
Echeverias, commonly called “old hens and little chickens,” became my favorites. This is a large family, with colors ranging from pure white and green through the pastels to dark shades. Most of these plants are of Mexican origin, although they are found as far south as Peru.
They vary greatly in appearance and habits, some being rosettes (old hen and chicken types), others shrubby, some quite small, and still others as large as cabbage. The flowers often are beautiful bright-colored waxy bells, which last a long time.
Those with smooth leaves do best in the sun. Those with hairy leaves prefer some shade.
They like humus (leaf mold) mixed with equal parts of garden soil and coarse (builder’s) sand. Their pots should be well drained. Good ventilation prevents them from becoming drawn and whitened.
Echeveria Elegans
Succulents, like cacti, wear their family name first: Echeveria elegans (Mexican Gem), one of the loveliest. It has close rosettes of powdered, white, spoon-shaped leaves.
The bright rose blossoms appear in early spring. Like the Painted Lady (Echeveria Derenbergii), it does better, and the coloring is more brilliant if it has plenty of light and sunshine.
Echeveria Derenbergii
Echeveria Derenbergii is a winter bloomer. It is easy to grow and flowers profusely. The blossoms are orange-red, borne on short spikes, and several spikes may appear on one plant. (Note the bloom spikes in the picture, lower right, center top row.)
Each whitish-green leaf is tipped and edged with red. The plant requires fresh air and not too much moisture.
Echeveria Clusters
- E. amoena has small clusters of rose-color petals
- E. gibbiflora is a brightly-colored, mid-winter bloomer, the blossoms appearing in four months
- E. arpeti is a very handsome red hybrid
Haworthias
Another favorite family of succulents well represented in my collection is the Haworthias, which include the so-called “window plants.” Predominantly green, they sometimes run into pinks and yellows.
They are remarkable for their “windows,” transparent markings and tips through which light can penetrate inside.
Haworthia cuspidata is prettily patterned with lucent panes. The pale, small blossoms, borne on long stems during early spring, do not amount to much, but the plants are lovely.
The leaves of the lace Haworthia (H. setata) are lined with transparent windows and are edged with white, bristly teeth.
The picture shows an interesting group of Haworthias. Note the miniature aloe in the center, compared to the size of a dime. Notice also the offshoots of this tiny plant.
These small plants can be used to a good advantage in group plantings. They make interesting winter centerpieces.
Colorful small rocks and shells, placed among them, provide a naturalistic setting and also conserve moisture.
Ideal Growing Conditions
Haworthias prefer quiet sandy soil with leaf mold, which their yellow roots can easily penetrate.
They do well in shaded but well-lighted positions and watered moderately when dry. When there is no moisture for an inch down, your plants need water. Rainwater is best
“Hen and Chickens” Group
In the small-size “hen and chickens” group, small rosettes with little ones peeping out from the mother plant, retained by tiny leashes or rootlets, are the sedums and sempervivums— some of them hardy, all of them lovely.
They range from red, blue, pink, and lavender to pastel shades and green. These are classed in the “live forever,” and I might add that they are true “joys forever.”
They like to nestle their roots around cool rocks, and if grown outdoors during the winter (in the north), they should be lightly covered with leaves or straw.
The other day, I peeped in on mine and saw several pretty babies peering out from the mother plants as pert as you please.
Growing Succulents
These are only a few of the many good succulents that are easy to grow and a joy to any collector.
Too much cannot be said for this large group of plants, which are deservedly becoming better known yearly.
44659 by Cora Pinkley-Call