Date: Fri 12-Apr-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: SHANNO

Illustration: C

Location: A-10

Quick Words:

Gardener-cactus-succulent

Full Text:

(Suburban Gardener col on cacti & succulents, 4/12/96)

Suburban Gardener-

Tiger Jaws, Purple Babytoes, Blue Bird & Golf Balls

By Anthony C. Bleach

The title of this week's column refers, of course, to varieties of cacti and

succulents. They show unbelievable variety, curiosity and beauty. They are a

whole zoo of space creatures, often with flowers as large as poppies. If you

can get a copy of Encyclopedia of Succulents and Cacti by Gordon Rowley

(published by Crown), you will see what I mean.

Cacti and succulents are also the ideal house plant. Busy people dream of

having plants that can be ignored for weeks; that hate being watered and

rarely have any problems. In the winter, the humidity of our houses is lower

than the Sahara Desert. The dryness we feel on our skins is lethal to most

plants except those adapted to arid conditions.

Cacti have roots that like being crowded, and so they rarely need repotting.

They prefer bright light, but curiously, too much direct summer sun can kill

them. In nature, they survive in cracks and crannies, sheltered by rocks and

stones.

Some of the indestructible ones are the Jade plant, Haworthia "Tiger Jaws" and

Gasteria "The Tongue Plant." A pretty one is the Caphalocereus Senicis , the

Old Man Cactus, covered with white wool. This beard grows from the top and

hides a thick, columnar ribbed stem. We enjoy its three-inch cuteness, but in

its Mexican habitat it can soar to forty feet.

Succulents include Gasteria as well as the popular Jade, Aloe and Snake

plants, which are species that store water for large periods in their fleshy

stems and leaves. The classification also includes thousands of spiny plants

called cactuses.

All cactuses are succulents but not all succulents are cactuses. In addition,

not all cactuses have prickly spines or grow in the desert. The Rhipsalis , or

Mistletoe Cactus, drapes in graceful fronds from the branches of jungle trees

in such places as Ghana, West Africa. Cacti and succulents are more remarkable

than the usual tame selection held in captivity by department stores. Look for

them at your garden center and enter their beautiful and grotesque world.

Excellent local collections to admire include Lexington Gardens, Newtown;

Walnut Hill Greenhouse, Litchfield; Laurays of Salisbury; and Logees in

Danielson.

On Saturday, April 13, noon to 5 pm, and Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm, the

Connecticut Cactus and Succulent Society will hold its 13th Annual Sale &

Exhibit at the Naugatuck Valley Community-Technical College's Art & Music

Center. This is the largest show and the largest cactus society on the East

Coast, so come and celebrate a Connecticut tradition. Admission is free and

there is also the show's famous plant auction, where you can often get

incredible bargains. Refreshments are usually home-baked and most important,

the folks are friendly and interesting.

This year's show is dedicated to a past president of the Society, and also a

founding member, Phyllis Phillips, one of the lightest, kindest persons we

shall ever know.

Plants will be judged Saturday morning under the following classifications:

Division I-Cacti

1) Ariocarpus/Obregonia; 2) Astrophytum; 3) Aztekium/Epithelantha; 4)

Copiapoa/Islaya; 5) Cryphantha/Escobaria; 6) Discocactus/Uebelmannia; 7)

Echinocactus/ Echinomastus/ Echinofossulocactus; 8) Ferocactus; 9)

Echinocereus; 10) Echinopsis/Lobivia; 11) Frailea/Blossfeldia; 12)

Gymnocactus/Thelocactus; 13) Gymnocalycium; 14) Mammillaria - (a) Globular,

(b) Upright, (c) Clumps; 15) Matucana/ Oroya/ Submatucana; 16) Melocactus; 17)

North American Cereus; 18) South American Cereus; 19) Neochilenia/Neoporteria;

20) Opuntia/Tephrocactus; 21) Notocactus Group; 22) Parodia; 23) Rebutia/

Sulcorebutia/ Variegates; 26) Any Other Genus; 27) Hybrids.

Division II-

Other Succlents

28) Anacampseros/ Talinum/ Portularcaria; 29) Aeonium; 30) Kalanchoe; 31)

Agave/Yucca; 32) Aloe; 33) Bursera/ Fouquieria/ Idria; 34)

Calibanis/Beaucarnea; 35) Cissus/Cyphostemma; 36) Crassula; 37)

Dioscorea/Testudinaria; 38) Sedum/Sempervivum; 39) Echeveria/Dudleya; 40)

Euphorbia; 41) Other Euphorbiaceae; 42) Gasteria/Haworthia; 43) Graptopetalum/

Tacitus/ Pachyphytum; 44) Sansevieria; 45) Pachypodium/ Adenium/ Adenia; 46)

Lithops/Conophytum; 47) Other Mesembyanthemums; 48) Sarcocaulon/Pelargonium;

49) Stapelia/ Caralluma/ Huernia; 50) Trichocaulon/ Hoodia/ Pseudolithos; 51)

Cotyledon/Tylocodon; 52) Crests/ Monstrose/ Variegates; 53) Any Other Genus;

54) Hybrids.

Division III-

Arrangements and

Special Exhibits

55) Bonsai; 56) Miniature (not over three inches diameter pot or plant); 57)

Dish Gardens; 58) Topiaries; 59) Other Decorative Displays; 60) Collections;

61) Caudiciforms.

(Anthony C. Bleach coordinates and teaches the horticulture programs at

Naugatuck Valley Community-Technical College in Waterbury.)

To reach Naugatuck Valley Community-Technical College, site of this weekend's

show, take Exit 18 from I-84 West or East. The school is at 750 Chase Parkway

in Waterbury.