Classification of Succulents: A succulent is a plant that stores water in its stems or leaves or both. Latin word ‘succos’ means juicy. Any plant with thick, fleshy leaves or stems adapted to life under arid conditions. Slow growing, conserving moisture in the fleshy or swollen roots, stems or leaves. Succulents do not belong to any one plant family but are represented in nearly 30 different ones. Not all succulents are desert plants; some are native to the jungles:
Families: Succulents are in many families including Liliaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Crassulaceae, Asteraceae and Asclepediaceae (Milkweed).
Genera:
Aeonium (Crassulaceae) shrubby plants with woody stems crowned with rosettes of succulent leaves. Native to Africa, the Canary and Madeira Islands
Agave(Agavaceae) succulent perennial, full sun to part shade, little to moderate water, well drained soil. Large, fleshy straplike leaves and tall, unearthly-looking blossom spikes. “Century Plant” (A. americana) and many other species, most native to Mexico. Yuccas are often grouped with Agave (“Spanish Bayonet”, “Joshua Tree”)
Aloe (Liliaceae) succulent trees, shrubs, and perennials. Full sun to light shade, little to moderate water. Sap can be an irritant. Primarily South African natives ranging from 6 inch miniatures to trees. “Medicinal Aloe” (A. vera)
Cotyledon (syn. Telecodon) (Crassulaceae) Include shrubby plants with thick rounded leaves covered with whitish powder and several low-growing sorts with fleshy, pointed leaves. Some shed their foliage every year while others have persistent leaves. Native to Africa.
Crassula(Crassulaceae) succulent perennials, full sun, little to no water. Most from South Africa with unusual geometric forms. “Jade Plant” (C. ovata) makes a top-notch houseplant.
Dudleya (Crassulaceae) rosette-shaped with beautiful chalky-white leaves. Plants are short stemmed or flat on the ground. Native to coastal California and Mexico.
Echeveria (Crasulaceae) succulent perennials needing full sun or part shade and moderate water. Mexican natives that form rosettes of fleshy leaves often marked or overlaid with deeper colors. Bell-shaped, nodding flowers. “Hen and Chicks” (E. x imbricata or E. elegans or E. secunda).
Euphorbia (Euphobiaceae) annuals, biennials, perennials and evergreen and deciduous shrubs and trees. Moderate to regular water, exposure needs vary by species. Milky sap is irritating to skin and poisonous when ingested. A genus with about 2,000 species in 200 genera. “Poinsettia” (E. pulcherrima), “Crown of Thorns” (E. milii) and several types of “Spurge”.
Faucaria(Aizoaceae) Fleshy triangular leaves are held in angular rosettes, generally stemless. Leaves may be grayish or green, sometimes tinged with red and often spotted, while leaf margins are usually toothed. Daisy-like yellow or white flowers. Native to South Africa. “Tiger Jaws” (F. tigrina)
Gasteria (Liliaceae) Leaves held in fan shape, often blunt, some in rosettes. Leaves are dark green mottled with pale green or white. Flowers usually red and bell-shaped with green tips. Tolerant of shade and neglect. Native to South Africa. Nicknamed “Lawyer’s tongue” or “Cow tongue”.
Haworthia (Liliaceae) variable growth habit some resemble smaller aloes , others make small towers of neatly stacked fleshy leaves or stemless rosettes. Leaf colors variable from grayish through shades of green. Native to South Africa. H.fasciata “FairyWashboard”), H. setata (“Lace Haworthia”)
Hoya(Asclepiadaceae) perennial needing part to full shade and regular water. Thick, waxy evergreen leaves and tight clusters of small, waxy flowers that appear in leaf joints during summer. “Wax Flower” or “Wax Plant” (H. carnosa)
Kalanchoe(Crassulaceae) succulent perennial needing full sun or part shade and moderate to regular water. “Felt Plant” or “Velvet Elephant Ear” (K. baharensis), (K. blossfeldiana), “Mother of Thousands” or “Maternity Plant” (K. daigremontiana), “South American Air Plant” (K. fedtschenkoi), “Panda Plant” (K. tomentosa).
Lithops (syn. Mesembryanthemum) (Aizoaceae) “Flowering Stones”, amazing replicas of tiny pebbles and stones inhabiting the dry areas of South Africa. Reduced to 2 pairs of fleshy leaves that act as water reservoirs. Translucent window-like devices in leaf tips. About 70 species.
Sansevieria (Agavaceae) perennial needing moderate water and sun to light shade. About 60 species native to Africa and India. Grow from rhizomes, flower in spring or summer. “Spear Sansevieria” (S. cylindrica) “Mother-in-Law’s Tongue”, “Snake plant”, “Bowstring hemp” (S. trifasciata),
Sedum (Crassulaceae) succulent perennials needing full sun or part shade with little to moderate water. Highly variable in size, shape and color. Easy to
propagate from stem cuttings. “Donkey Tail or Burro Tail” (S. morganianum), “Goldmoss sedum” (S. acre), “Autumn Joy” (S. ‘Autumn Joy’ hybrid)
Sempervivum (Crassulaceae) succulent perennials in light shade with little to moderate water. Native to Europe. Form tightly packed rosettes of fleshy, evergreen leaves. “Hen and Chicks” (S. tectorum), “Cobweb Houseleek” (S. arachnoideum).
Others Include:Stapelia (“Starfish flower” or “Carrion Flower”),
Ceropegia (“Rosary Vine” or “String of Hearts”), Huernia (“Owl’s Eyes or “Zebra Flower”)
Cultivation: Indoors or greenhouse, outdoors, in rock gardens, or containers.
- Soil-- fully drained, loose, porous soil. For desert types, add extra sand and gravel, for jungle types add one part firbark to one part of garden loam.
- Light-- Most grow and flower best in bright light conditions of full sun. Adapt to lesser light but seldom bloom and will show distorted growth or become pale and leggy. Desert species require strong, direct sunlight, juveniles grow in the shade of surrounding vegetation.
C. Water and humidity--When in active growth (spring and summer) give plenty of water. When dormant (late fall/winter), withhold water (and food) giving just enough to keep from shriveling. Most require low humidity of 10-20% as in our homes but forest type cacti like to be misted. Fungus promoted if over watered.
D. Temperature—Grown in nearly all Zones. Some cacti can withstand temperatures of 45 degree. Watch for frostbite (tissue turns soft and rots). Gas heat may cause problems.
E. Fertilizing--Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer with micronutrients such as 10-10-10 every 3 to 4 weeks when producing. Plants benefit from fish emulsion or other liquid organic fertilizer as well. Avoid chemical sprays near the plant. Limestone needed for hairy cacti. Can use special cactus formula fertilizer.
Maintenance: Very little care. Require dormancy, in late fall or winter. New plants need 10-14 days care until established. Prefer clay pots over plastic pots. Repot when needed in spring or fall. Some prefer to be pot-bound. Caution when handling. For milky
Euphorbia, wash off corrosive latex (milky sap) in the sink with glycerin soap or turpentine to prevent burning and sticking.
Propagation:
A. Cuttings, divisions and basal offsets: Offsets can be pulled or cut off from parent and repotted in spring to summer. Plants forming dense individual crowns can be divided. Cuttings from leaves or stem sections—allow to ‘cure’ for several days and then plant with bottom end down, shallowly. Some succulents bear plantlets on the edges of their leaves.
B. Seed--Seed should be planted in a shallow pan, warmed and watered, covered and kept humid--will have seed leaves.
C. Grafting: Only cacti, Euphorbias and Asclepias can be grafted (they have a cambium layer).
Diseases and pests: Most of these problems result from dry, still air:
Mealybugs and red spider mites the most prevalent problems. Also ants, aphids, scale, thrips, snails, slugs, beetles, grubs and sowbugs.
Fungus infections will attack weak, damaged or neglected plants. Rotting at base (overwatered) or top end (frost damage).
Classification of Cacti: Cacti have areoles, cushion-like areas on the surface of the cactus (corresponding to internodes on other plants), from which spines (modified leaves), wooly hair, bristles, branches and /or flowers arise. The areole is what distinguishes cactus from a succulent. Native to North and South America from Canada to Chile. There are the jungle, forest or tropic types and the desert types.
Family: Cactaceae
Tribes : Tribe 1 is Pereskia (leafy cacti): Most primitive, original cactus; least succulent, woody, spiny stems, bushy or vine with pinkish leaves such as the “Lemon Vine” (P. aculeata). Flowers in white, yellow and sometimes pink appear on stalks and in clusters in autumn. Produces fruits (Barbados gooseberries). This tribe has spines but no glochids (sharp, easily detached bundles of barbed bristles in the areoles). More than 15 species.
Tribe 2 is Opuntiawith glochids. Often heavily spined but without ribs, flowers not stalked, usually wheel-shaped, flat, pad-like or cylindrical, stems or branches, fleshy and jointed. Leaves appear briefly on immature growth. Includes “Prickly Pears”, “Beaver Tail” (O. basilaris), “Teddy Bear Cactus” (O. bigelovii) and “Chollas” (jumping, buckhorn, pencil or darning needle chollas). Most are free-flowering with white, yellow, orange, purple or red blooms.
Tribe 3 is Cereus: Ribbed (expanding), fleshy stems of continuous growth in columns or globes. No glochids or leaves except in Rhipsalis section. Showy funnel-shaped flowers attached directly to plants, no stems. Largest and most complex evolved group (over 100 genera). Tiny or huge (1” to 60 ft), from desert to high mountains or epiphytes or tropical forests. Eight sub-tribes:
1. Cereanae: from Greek meaning “wax candle”, nocturnal white flowers, easy to grow even from seed, choice grafting stock. Includes “Candlelabra Cactus” (Pachycereus, Stetsonia, Cereus, Carnegiea), “Organ Pipe Cactus” (Lemaireocereus, Lophocereus, Trichocereus), “Old Man Cactus” (Cephalocereus, Epostoa) and “Slender Torch Cactus” (Cleistocactus, Heliocereus).
2. Hylocereanae: Includes “Climbing cactus” (Hylocereus,Selenicereus, Aporocactus). This type likes to cling to something, usually with tendril-like aerial roots.
3. Echinocereanae : Includes “Hedgehog Cactus” (Lobivia, Echinocereus, Rebutia), “Easter Lily Cactus’ (Echinopsis) and “Peanut Cactus” (Chamaecereus) Usually these are free-branching clusters or mounds of erect stems, sometimes prostrate, and usually less than a foot tall. All have highly ornamental spines which densely cover the plant surfaces. Showy flowers (to 4 inches across) are long-lasting.
4. Echinocactaneae : Includes “Barrel cactus” (Echinocactus, Ferocactus, “Star cactus” (Astrophytum), “Chin Cactus” (Gymnocalycium), “Living Rocks” (Ariocarpus among others), and “Ball Cactus” (Notocactus, Parodia). Heavily spined, produce flowers from near the crown of mature plants. Young plants are good container subjects. Mature specimens may be several feet tall.
5. Cactanae: At maturity a cephalium or mass of bristles and wool develops at the crown of the plant, often in a contrasting color. Flowers appear from this ‘top hat’ as well. “Melon Cactus” (Melocactus, Discocactus) or “Turk’s cap” (Ferocactus).
6. Coryphanthanae: Void of any true ribs, these have lines of nipple like tubercles over their entire body. Over 400 species in 15 genera. Includes “Pincushion cactus” (Mammillaria, Coryphantha) Globular or cylindrical plants (some about 12 inches high) with interesting spine patterns have large yellow, red or purple flowers. Winter rest is required.
7. Epiphyllanae: Epiphytes or tree dwellers, with fleshy stems and brilliant flowers, from the tropical jungles of Central and South America and parts of Mexico. Gather nourishment from surrounding moss, leaf mold and other debris. Includes “Christmas, Thanksgiving and Orchid cactus” (Zygocactus or Schlumbergera).
8. Rhipsalidanae: Includes “Chain cactus” (Rhipsalis): Epiphytic, trailing plants, some with flattened stems, but the majority have slender, cylindrical segments. Flowers are small and not showy.
Species: over 2000 species have been recorded. Many curious forms; extremely variable in size (from a thimble to 80 ft), shape and habit (columnar, globular, padded/jointed, clustering, pendent, leaf-like, sprawling/trailing or climbing). Some bloom during the day (diurnal), others bloom at night (nocturnal).