The following cultivation advice is kindly provided by Paul Forster. It particularly covers the amount of sun and water required by cacti and other succulent plants, as well as recommended potting mixes.

Paul Forster sells succulent plant seedlings by mail order. To request a copy of his plant list, contact Paul via paulforster@uq.net.au or PO Box 2171, Ashgrove West QLD 4060.

CULTIVATION NOTES FOR SUCCULENTS

© by Paul Forster

Succulents are those plants that have water storage tissues in the leaves, stems or roots, or some combination thereof. This water is strongly held in the plant and if the aerial parts (leaves & stems) are removed from the roots, then the plant generally does not readily wilt or die. This feature enables succulents to survive in situations where drought or low water availability is a regular occurrence. In horticulture, these situations may cover rockeries or garden beds that depend on natural rainfall, or small pots in exposed situations with irregular watering. This reduced dependence on water means that succulents are ideal for gardeners with little time or limited water.

Light

Most succulents require bright light conditions, with a marked preference for morning sun of at least 3 or 4 hours. Hot afternoon conditions with direct sun may literally cook a small plant in a small pot and should be avoided. Many succulents respond to increased light and reduced watering with an increase in foliage colour, which is part of the attraction. Large growing succulents in a rockery situation with more copious root systems, are much more able to withstand sun all day long.

Watering

If there is no natural rainfall, then small succulents in pots should be watered approximately once a week in summer and spring, twice weekly in autumn and every three or four weeks in winter (dependent on how cold it is). Watering should be copious, so that free water comes out of the pot’s drainage holes. In very hot summer conditions, it may be necessary to water small pots more than once a week, preferably in the late afternoon or evening, thus enabling maximum uptake of water and leaching of salts from the potting substrate. In cold winter conditions with the possibility of frosts, water should be withheld, or only applied in the warm part of the morning. Some plants like Adenium (desert rose) and Pachypodium (Madagascar Palm) will take a lot of water in spring and summer when in full leaf. Where frosts occur, only experience will show which succulents are truly hardy. If in doubt then pots should be taken under cover.

Potting Mixes

Succulents require a well-structured free-draining mixture that does not remain stagnant. An adequate mix can be found in the Cactus & Succulent Soil Mixes available from some nurseries. Failing this, a premium commercial potting mix (pine bark based), if cut with one-third to one-half coarse river sand (not builders sand) and/or perlite, with the addition of fertiliser (at about one-third the rate for vegetables) is adequate.

An organic based potting mix can also be made in the following proportions (to fit in a large wheelbarrow) - 16 parts compost or leafmould; 10 parts coarse river sand (1-3 mm grain size); 4 parts decomposed granite; 2 parts crushed charcoal; 6 parts perlite (3 medium, 3 coarse); 2 small handfuls of blood & bone. This mix is more or less 50% structure and 50% organics and should drain well. Any compost should be approaching soil in texture, otherwise nitrogen drawdown will be a problem.

Pots can be plastic or terracotta, but remember that small terracotta pots dry out very quickly. No drainage material is necessary in the bottom of the pot, but a square of weedmat or some coir peat may be necessary to retain mix in the pot.

*

For further information and advice on growing cacti and other succulents we recommend you :

● Consult the series of succulent books by Rudolf Schulz and Attila Kapitany → available through our SALES [ Sales ] page.

● Join our Society and seek out the friendly advice of our experienced growers at our monthly meetings or consult our book library → MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM [ Membership ].

© Ballarat Cactus & Succulent Society