Issue 29:
Hoyas: Easy-Care Plants Provide Flowery
Rewards (with photo)
by Janet Kister
Henry Shaw C&S, St Louis,
MO
Gymnocalycium
By Eric Driskill
Henry Shaw C&S, St Louis, MO
Titanopsis
By Eric Driskill
Henry Shaw C&S, St Louis, MO
Gassterias – The Leaf Succulents
By Meena Singh
Email: u4bias4meena (at) hotmail.com
Indian Society of C&S ISOCS Journal
What’s in a Name?
By Stan Korabell
The Beaver Tale C&SS of Southern
Nevada
Mammallaria Clusters (with photo)
By Tom Glavich May 2003
Los Angeles C&S Society
Coryphantha and Thelocactus
By Tom Glavich
Los Angeles Cactus and Succulent Society
Echeveria
(with photo)
By Tom Glavich
Los Angeles Cactus and Succulent Society
Columnar Cacti (with photo)
By Tom Glavich
Los Angeles Cactus and Succulent Society
Photos from Anza Borrego Desert State Park, California in April, 2003 Brazil by Nels Christianson Sunset Succulent Society (Photos and captions)
Hoyas: Easy-Care Plants Provide Flowery
Rewards
by Janet Kister
Henry Shaw C&S, St Louis,
MO
Photo, Click here, 180kB
Hoyas are climbing succulents that originally came
from the tropical forests of India, China, Indonesia and Australia. In the
Western Hemisphere, these climbers are usually of the Hylocereus,
Selenicereus or Epiphyllum variety. The Hoya group is in the
family of Asclepiadaceae, which is considered made up of mostly stem succulents,
although to me, the leaves are the more "succulent" part of
Hoyas.
Common Hoya names -- wax plant, wax vine, wax
flower and porcelain flower -- originate from the plants' leathery, waxy leaves
or jewellike flowers. Wax plants are usually vines with fleshy 2- to 4-inch
leaves and long-lasting clusters of one-half- to 1-inch star-shaped flowers that
are sweetly fragrant and shiny.
Bob Smoley's Gardenworld catalog
lists over 40 varieties of Hoya. They allow one to select for ornamental
leaf patterns, superb flowers or both.
Hoya leaves can be
variegated gold and green, green with pink edges or splotches, edged with white,
fuzzy, oval, pointed, veined, ivylike, large or small. The well-known Hindu rope
plant, Hoya compacta, has versions with glossy, dark green, twisted
leaves or curled leaves of cream, green and pink
The flowers of
Hoya carnosa are pinkish-white with red centers, but there are many other
flower colors and shapes available. H. australis has red-centered,
bluish-white flowers, while H. bella features white flowers with rosy
violet centers. H. purpurea-fusca has purple-centered, brownish-red
flowers with white hairs. H. multiflora boasts white and yellow flowers
shaped like shooting stars.
Many Hoya vines do very well
when allowed to climb on a trellis or tiered plant stand, while other varieties
are better suited for hanging baskets. The common wax plant, Hoya
carnosa, has been described as a "lovely climbing plant" or "rampant
grower," depending on whether you have allowed enough space for
it.
Wax plants are easy to grow in average soil mixtures. They like
warmth, water and some sun, and do well outdoors in summer in sunny protected
places like porches. Full afternoon sun can burn the fleshy leaves, but
early-day sun encourages flowering in the summer or fall months. A few varieties
prefer more shaded conditions.
These plants require plenty of warm
weather and some water in winter months. Water freely during their flowering
period, but allow the soil to become almost dry between waterings when the
plants are resting.
Day temperatures of 70 degrees F or higher and
night temperatures of 60 to 65 degrees are ideal in summer. Hoyas prefer
a minimum winter temperature of 45 degrees F, but tolerate cooler temperatures
if kept dry. Some leaf loss can occur under these cooler
conditions.
One important point to remember regarding Hoyas:
Never remove the peduncles (stalks from which flowers emerge) after flowering,
as more flowers will continue to be produced from these stubs.
Gymnocalycium
By Eric Driskill
Henry Shaw C&S, St Louis, MO
Everyone has that problem plant you find as appealing as it is difficult to grow. Usually those are the expensive ones. Each time you buy another, you drag out your notes if you are lucky enough to have recorded them the last time you tried that plant. You water a little more or a little less. Maybe too hot or cold through the winter. Not enough fertilizer or was it too much? Those are some of the challenges of the hobby that keep it from getting boring. Sometimes after I have lost yet another of the highly prized, expensive plants, I think that I should concentrate on the successes of growing. What bloomed this spring. What plants are doing great. Yeah, those are nice to watch; new spines, new leaves and blooms.
Gymnocalyciums are plants you can turn to in times like these. Gymnocalycium, a large genus of globose cacti from east of the Andes in South America. Gymnocalycium was described by Ludwig Pfeiffer in 1844 for three species, the name derived from the Greek gymnos, naked, and calyx, bud, referring to the smooth flower bud. Gymnocalycium are among the most popular cacti for hobbyists. Currently there are 71 accepted species.
Gymnocalycium is characterized as having low-growing, usually solitary stems with several ribs that are sometimes tuberculate. Flowers are open during the day, funnelform to bell shaped, and white or pale pink.
There are many Gymnocalyciums to choose from and all seem to thrive when grown in a well-drained soil with no particular specialized care required. Gymnocalyciums are rewarding plants to include in your collection. A tip I heard recently suggested fertilizing them a little sooner than other cacti.
I would be remiss if I failed to mention Gymnocalycium mihanowichii or ‘Ruby Ball’. This is undoubtedly one of the most popular cactus in the world. It is a mutant first appearing in Japan in 1941. Lacking chlorophyll, they can exist only when grafted onto a stock. This is no other that the red grafted cacti everyone thinks of when you tell them you collect cacti. You may even have a non-cactus friend who gave you one as a gift knowing you to enjoy the hobby. There is one small G. mihanowichii in our greenhouse that belongs to my daughter. I just can’t seem to make room for any more than that one small G. mihanowichii.
Gymnocalyciums are easy to grow, reasonably priced and you can find one at most places that sell any cacti. Add one to your collection and rest assured that you have one more plant with beautiful blooms that you don’t have to sweat over and feel like your walking on eggshells.
Titanopsis
By Eric Driskill
Henry Shaw C&S, St Louis, MO
South and Southwest Africa are the home of the genus Titanopsis, with its 8 species of dwarf clump-forming plants. The species have variously colored leaves with rough, fissured, pimply ends, and they form low, clustering rosettes. Yellow flowers are produced in autumn. They grow quickly from seed and require a porous compost and careful watering, being kept dry in the winter and spring resting period. It is a very rewarding succulent and can be cultivated on windowsills in the home. Titanopsis also tolerate intense heat and heavy frost.
Titanopsis are truly impressive plants, with unique leaves. Being a dwarf, you wont have to devote much space for an impressive representation of the genus. Titanopsis would make a great plant to enter in the Mini Succulents class of the show.
Titanopsis calcarea is the best-known species, with whitish tubercles at the tips of blunt leaves. They are propagated from seed or by division of larger clumps. You can also purchase a mature plant from various nurseries.
For a really odd succulent that is sure to be a conversation piece, find a Titanopsis to add to your collection whether it is in a greenhouse or windowsill.
Gasterias – The Leaf Succulents
By Meena Singh
Email: u4bias4meena (at) hotmail.com
Indian Society of C&S ISOCS Journal
The genus Gasteria is a genus of leaf succulents endemic to South Africa,
being found mostly in the Eastern Cape region. It is said to have a ‘chameleon
like’ nature, being extremely variable in habitat. The genus had about a hundred
described species within it at one time, but over the years the number of
recognised species has been greatly reduced as similarities within them were
found. The latest revision carried out by E.J. van Jaarsveld (1994) recognises
only 16 species.
Gasteria habitats are subject to erratic rainfall patterns and therefore
the genus has evolved to become drought resistant plants that can do without
water for long periods of time. Most Gasterias tolerate low light levels and
grow in shady places. They can be easily hybridised with Aloes to which they are
closely related.
Gasterias are almost all stem less and have thick, tongue-shaped leaves
that are interestingly arranged in dovetailed ranks. Leaves are
linear-lanceolate and fleshy with a distinct keel to them. They are spotted in
white or dotted with pale papillae (warts). Leaf margins are
tuberculate.
Small, tubular flowers, swollen at the base and green in color with pink
markings-or pink all over, are carried in racemes on 1 to 2 foot stalks whose
upper parts assume a peach-pink color, as the flowers open. Their characteristic
shape can easily identify all Gasterias species.
Species most commonly in cultivation in India are : G acinacifolia, G.
batesiana, G. baylissiana, G. bicolour, G. croucheri, G. carinata and G. nitida.
G verrucosa etc.
The genus is easy to grow if local climatic conditions are kept in mind.
In the climate of extremes in northern India, where hot is often scorching and
cold is fairly cold, they need protection for most of the year. A few
thumb rules of growing healthy plants are:
· Give them shade in
summer and filtered sunshine for the rest of the year. Experience will mostly
tell you that some species require more shade than others.
·
Give them a potting compost that is porous and not too rich.
·
Water frequently in summer, every 3-4 days, as compost dries very fast, reduce
watering considerably during the monsoons. In winter, water only when the
compost dries.
· Fertilize with light doses of NPK in early
spring when they are in full growth.
· Grow clustering species
(verrucosa, glomerata, bicolour etc) in wide shallow trays and repot every
second year.
· Grow large species (acinifolia) in large deep
pots or in a shady corner in the ground.
· Spray them with a
fungicide (Benomy/Subdue) during the monsoons and in winter to prevent fungal
disease like black-spot to which Gasterias, like Aloes, are prone
to.
Gasterias can be propagated easily either from seed or leaf cuttings
or offsets.
· Pollination and setting seed is easy. They
grow readily from seed. Sow almost immediately after harvesting
seeds.
· Leaf-cuttings taken in early spring and placed on some
porous potting compost in the shade will soon root. After a few months it will
send out little plants and in a year or so you may get new plants. Large leaves
of some species can be cut into sections and each section rooted e.g. G.
acinacifolia.
· Some species are stoloniferous e.g G.
verrucosa, G glomerata etc. and will give plenty of side shoots that can
be detached with their roots and potted up.
What’s in a Name?
By Stan Korabel
from The Beaver Tale -- Southern Nevada
Recently I deviated from my usual evening ritual of studying the works of the 18th and 19th century philosophers while I listened to my collection of Gregorian chants. Instead I watched a TV special entitled “Girls Gone Wild – Retrospective and Critique”. As I was taking notes I suddenly remembered that 250 years ago Carl Vonlinne (Linnagus) introduced Binary Nomenclature, the method in which organisms are classified with two names, genus and species. A set of rules, universally accepted by taxonomists governs the naming of plants – the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature.
Now I think that all of us are familiar with the concept. The problem for most of us is the Latin and Greek nomenclature. While I don’t want to play down the difficulties there are some ways to overcome them. One of the best is a good dictionary (good=5lbs). My new Webster’s Dictionary (Lexicon Publisher) has many botanical terms. You will find words such as Glauca=sea green, Glomerate=clump forming, Seta=bristle, and Cephala=head and many more. Did you know that Alexander’s favorite horse was named Bucephala, “Hammer Head”? When I lived on Floogle Street one of the guys went by the name of Hammer-the simplest tool known to man. (took me a long time to get there).
Another source is our library. Many have a Glossary of Terms. One of the best is “Vygies, Gems of the Veldt”. Attached is a list of some words (prefix, suffix) you might come across.
I’ll end this with botuliform=shaped like a sausage. Otto Von Bismark, one of the most savvy politicians of the 1800’s, said “There are two things you don’t want to know—how sausages are made and how laws are made”.
Caule=stem
Crassa=thick
Fruiticose=shrub-like
Poella, pulchra, pulchella=beautiful
Truncate=cut off
Carpus=fruit
Platy=flat
Fili=thread like
Tenuis=thin or hair like
Pubescent, Villose, Pilose, Tomentose=hair like (in varying degrees)
Glabrous=smooth, hairless
Macro=large
Micro=small (also Parvi)
Acantha=spined
Phyte=plant
Costate=ribbed
Phyllum=leaf or plant
Pauci=few
Brachy=short, also Brevi
Oides=resembling also Opsis
A=without
Ab=without
Carpus=fruit
Acantha=spine
Caule=stem
Hamatus=hooked
Cephala=head
Dentate=sharp teeth
Digitate=with fingers
Echinote=with spines or horns
Eriv=wooly Sycefig
Opsis & Oides=closely resembling
Beruliform=sausage
Rhiza=roots
Pachy=thick
Phytum=plant
Parvi=small
Pauci=few
Pectinate=comb like (spines)
Poly=many
Rectus=straight
Mammillaria Clusters
By Tom Glavich May 2003
Los Angeles Cactus and Succulent
Society
Photo Click here, 44kB
(This is a low-quality version of the image. We are trying to get a better picture.)
Mammillaria is one of the larger genera in the Cactus family, and one of the most variable, with some members remaining as solitary columns for their entire lives, some remaining as fingernail size solitary globulars, some straight spined, and some clumped and heavily spined with hooks. This month we will show off our collections of Mammillaria clusters.
A Mammillaria is often one of the first cacti that a beginning grower buys. They are still available, often for less
than a dollar in discount stores, and for just a bit more at local home centers
and discount stores. A credit to
the toughness of these plants, is that many survive for years in spite of all
sorts of abuse and neglect. Many
inexpensive purchases at local chain stores have been grown on to be become show
plants, the quality of the plant maturing with the skill and experience of the
grower. In part because they are so
generous with flowers and seeds, and the seeds germinate so readily, many rare
species end up in unlikely places like home centers, supermarkets, and hardware
stores. It’s worth keeping an eye
out for unusual specimens, but beware of names found on discount store
plants.
The secrets to good growth are a continual supply of
water and fertilizer during the growing season, strong light, and maintenance of
a clean and insect free growing environment. Many people starve and under water their
plants, in attempt to avoid rot.
Most Mammillaria will take quite a bit of water and fertilizer when in
growth. The main growth period is
the late spring (Middle of April, through July.) When summer heat really appears growth
slows for a time, picking up again when the weather cools, before stopping
around Thanksgiving. Almost all Mammillaria will do just fine in Southern
California, with little or no winter protection, as long as they are potted in a
freely draining potting mix.
The appearance of white mealy bug egg cases
(Mammillaria’s worst enemy) on the tips of the spines or the appearance of ants
means that mealy bugs are sucking the sap and life of the plant. Immediate treatment is required, with a
thorough washing, and spraying with an insecticide. A less toxic solution is to soak the
entire plant in soapy water overnight. Followed by a good rinse with water from
a hose.
References:
E.
Anderson, The Cactus
Family
J.
Pilbeam, Cactus for the
Connoisseur
R.
Craig, The Mammillaria
Handbook
Innes & C. Glass Cacti
Coryphantha and Thelocactus
By Tom Glavich
Los Angeles Cactus and Succulent Society
Coryphantha is a medium sized genus of mostly globular plants from Mexico and the Southwestern United States. There are about 50 to 80 species depending on the reference chosen, and the accepted extent of the genus. They are grown for their beautiful spination and large, colorful flowers. They are one of several genera that are similar to Mammillaria in appearance, with tubercles arranged in spirals. These beautiful plants deserve to appear more frequently in our shows.
Coryphantha have furrowed tubercles (Mammillaria do not), and most Coryphantha have extra floral nectararies (glands that produce nectar located in the skin of the plant. The furrow is a groove that goes from the tip to the base of the tubercle. It is sometimes obvious, and sometimes so faint that it is hard to see.
Cultivation of Coryphantha is similar to Mammillaria, except that they are more sensitive to over watering, and in general, somewhat more prone to rot. Overall, cultivation is not difficult, and well within the capabilities of all growers.
The range of Coryphantha overlaps that of Thelocactus, stretching through Texas into Oklahoma in the North, and continuing into Arizona, and California to San Bernadino. In the South, the genus stretches to Oaxaca. The center of the range is the central states of Mexico, San Luis Potosi, Zacatecas, and Nuevo Leon.
Thelocactus is a small genus in the cactus family, with only 11 or 12 species. In addition to the species, there are also half
a dozen legitimate varieties, and a large number of less legitimate varieties that can be found in reference books and collections. Many of the Thelocactus are spectacularly beautiful plants with dense multicolor spination, well shaped tubercles, and large colorful flowers. They have been a favorite with collectors since they were first discovered.
Thelocactus are found from Southern Texas through central Mexico, mostly in the Chihuahuan Desert, but extending into brush land and thorn scrub in the western parts of its range, and into the Rio Grande Plains region in Texas.
Thelocactus are easily grown, tolerant of heat and moisture, but not cold and moisture. Some species develop fairly large tap roots, and should be planted in deep enough pots to give them room to grow. They are easily propagated from seed, and this is the best way to develop a good collection from different populations. They can also be propagated from offsets, with a cutting allowed to dry, and then replanted. They are sensitive to mealy bug infestations and spider mites, in the same way that all cacti are, but in general are fairly rugged plants.
References
I. Lawrie, Coryphantha and Associated Genera
Cullman, Gotz and Groner, The Encyclopedia of Cacti
J. Pilbeam, Cacti for the Connoisseur
June 2003
Echeveria
By Tom Glavich
Los Angeles Cactus and Succulent Society
Echeveria is
one the principal members of the succulent New World Crassulaceae.
Photo
(Click here, 78kB)
Echeveria subrigida grown by Marilyn Henderson from the 2000 Inter City Show
Echeveria come principally from the
mountains of Eastern Mexico, although there are plants found from Texas into
South America.
The genus Echeveria
is named after Atanasio Echeverria illustrator of a projected Flora Mexicana prepared under the
direction of Martin Sesse, from 1789 to 1803. Martin Sesse received a Royal
Patent for a botanical expedition to Mexico from Charles III, King of Spain in
1788. Charles III was one of the
most enlightened of the late 18th century kings, with widespread
cultural and scientific interests. Unfortunately, he died shortly after giving
the Patent, and before supplying any money. His son, Charles IV, was not
enlightened, not particularly bright, and unlucky. He lost Spain to Napoleon, and spent the
last years of his life in exile in Rome. Sesse went on with the expedition, and
although chronically short of funds, and often sick and hungry, with Jose
Mocino, Atanasio Echeverria, and others, collected hundreds of plants over a 15
year period. The three returned to
Spain, expecting to become famous and publish their Flora Mexicana, only to be ignored by
the King. Sesse returned to his
land holdings; Mocino went to work at the Museum of Natural History in Madrid,
and Echeverria was hired as an artist’s assistant. Mocino sent the original drawings to the famous botanist Alphonse De
Candolle as Napoleon marched on Madrid.
The originals were lost in the confusion of the Napoleanic wars, but the
drawings were saved by Alphonse De Candolle, who hired 120 draftsman to work for
10 days making several sets of precise tracings of Echeverria’s drawings. De Candolle also named the genus in a
lecture in 1827, first publishing it in 1828. Coming from mountainous regions, Echeveria prefer well drained soil, and
good ventilation. They also prefer
cooler temperatures, looking their best in late winter and early spring. The plants swell with the winter rains,
and as growth starts the colors become more intense. With time, most Echeverias offset between older
leaves. These offsets can be
removed, the bottom-most leaves of the offset removed, and the stem and
remaining leaves planted as soon as the cut stem is dry. The terminal rosette should also be
periodically removed and restarted in the same way, with all the dead leaves
removed. References L. Carruthers and R. Ginns, Echeverias E. Walther, Echeveria March 2003 Columnar Cacti
By Tom Glavich
Los Angeles Cactus and Succulent Society
Photo
(Click here, 78kB)
Cleistocactus smaragdiflorus
Columnar cacti are not a closely related set of genera, but a lumping
together of all the cacti that are much longer than they are around. Columnar cacti vary in size from a few
inches, as in the aptly named, Pygmaeocereus to the giants like Pachycereus and Carnegiea (Saguaro). They are robust growers, given adequate
water, fertilizer, root room and support.
They expect more nitrogen in their soil and more water than most globular cacti,
when they are growing. They do well
in normal cactus mix, as long as they get additional fertilization. Propagation is generally by cuttings or seed. Seed is best for rare species and
getting local variants. Cuttings
need to be dried well before planting.
A few weeks is the minimum for some of the larger columnar species, and a
month or more is not unusual.
Cuttings do best if dried in an upright position. If placed on their
sides the cut end will rot easier.
A look through any of the references listed below will
uncover many genera that are rarely seen in cultivation. This is because the plants take many
years to reach flowering size, are only really happy in the ground, or get too
big for pots. Some are not grown
just because they are out of fashion.
Its always worthwhile to try something new. Popular North American Columnars: Cephalocereus senilis is the popular
‘Old Man cactus’ It is surprisingly
difficult to grow into a large specimen, subject to rot if it gets cold and
damp. Carnegiea gigantea or the Saguaro is
one of the larger columnar genera, this time from Arizona, with a few in
California Popular South American Columnars: Cleistocactus is one of the most beautiful genera of
the columnar cacti. Some of the
best are C. smaragdiflorus, with red flowers,
a yellow band near the tip, and a bright green tip. C.
strausii is a fuzzy white marvel, and often seen at sale tables at
shows. Oreocereus are beautiful hairy
plants, with wicked spines hidden in dense hairs References: Haustein, The
Cactus Handbook C. Innes & C. Glass Cacti D C. Zappi, Pilosocereus March 2003 Photos from Anza Borrego Desert State Park, California in April, 2003
Brazil by Nels Christianson Sunset
Succulent Society (Please include entire caption line when using photos.
Thanks!)
WARNING! The following photos are about 800kB each.
515
Opuntia basilaris Brazil Photo by Nels Christianson
Sunset Succulent Society
(This is a low-quality version of the image. We are trying
to get a better picture.)
(This is a low-quality version of the image. We are trying
to get a better picture.)
530
Ferocactus cylindraceus (Ferocactus acanthodes) Brazil Photo by Nels Christianson
Sunset Succulent Society
537
Ferocactus cylindraceus Brazil Photo by Nels Christianson Sunset Succulent
Society
541
Opuntia bigelovii Brazil
Photo by Nels Christianson
Sunset Succulent Society
823
O. bigelovii and Fouquieria splendens (ocotillo) Brazil Photo by Nels Christianson
Sunset Succulent Society
822
Juvenile Ferocactus cylindraceus Brazil Photo by Nels Christianson
Sunset Succulent Society
