ph: 361-935-1556
nancyk
SUCCULENT VS. CACTUS:
Is there a difference?
April 24, 2020
by Lupe Cook and Heidi Bloebaum/Victoria County Master Gardener and Master Gardener Intern
Edited by Charla Borchers Leon/Victoria County Master Gardener
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER LUPE COOK
Succulents can be planted in all kinds of containers and displayed in equally as interesting locations like set in this oak stump. Identified here are Crassula arborescens Jade to the far left in the larger clay pot followed to its right by Echeveria 'Melaco' with dark foliage. The larger spreading Sedum in chartreuse color is 'Yellow Star' flowing over the edge of the container. The Portulaca in the smaller pot to the right is Elephant Bush plant. Succulents of all kinds do well together when they require similar light and watering conditions.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER LUPE COOK
Shown here is a multi-colored and -shaped presentation of numerous Succulents in various containers as placed on a white display bench in the back yard of Victoria County Master Gardener Lupe Cook. Identified on the left in the front of the back pot is a Kalanchoe blossifolia with red blooms; in white floral vases are Seashell Euphorbia, and in the tan bucket to the right is Dudleya hassel. In the beige container to the left is Wash Board Haworthia; in the center blue/pink bowl are Donkey's Ears with Haworthia attenuate concolor in the front, and Kalanchoe longiflora coccinea in the fish container. On the lower left in the large terra cotta saucer in the silver bucket to the back is Candelabra Euphorbia; in the front, Ipomea and in the black bowl is Portulaca variegate. On the small round table to the left are Donkey's Ears in the pitcher; Curiosity Plant, Mimicry plant Zebra Haworthia and E. T. Fingers plants in the silver container. In the brown oak log to the back on the right is African Spear Aloe; in the front, Firestorm sedum 'Adolphi'. In the front brown log are various Aeonium species.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER SUZANNE LABRECQUE
The Donkey's Ear Succulent Kalanchoe gastonis bonnieri, also known as Giant Kalanchoe and Sprout Leaf Plant is a fast-growing Succulent native to Madagascar. This plant is unusual-looking, with oddly shaped, pale green leaves that resemble donkey ears, from where it gets its common name, and become covered with spots as they mature. Preferring a location where it will receive both sun andn shade, it needs protection from cold in the winter. Donkey's Ear grows about 2 feet tall when it blooms producing showy, drooping red and yellow flowers as shown here.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER CHARLA BORCHERS LEON
Succulent growers often love the Jelly Bean Sedum. It is an ornamental succulent perennial that produces sprawling, leaning stems and can trail and form a ground cover that can be 8 inches tall. Its green leaves are 1-inch long, resemble jelly beans, from where it gets its name, and have pink to red-brown color on the ends as shown here. It prefers bright to filtered sunlight in the morning and bright indirect light other times of the day. It becomes even more colorful with bright yellow flowers in the summer.
Summer
Winter
When:
Types:
Have you ever wondered the difference between succulents and cacti? Succulents are plants that store water in their stems, roots, and leaves whereas cacti are fleshy plants that store water but, by description, have areoles (spine cushions), making all cacti a part of the larger group of succulents, but not the reverse case.
What is a succulent?
It could be summed up as a water-thrifty plant. Many succulents store water in leaves or stems and have beautiful flowers, interesting structure, and thrive on neglect. The admiration they get from their varieties and by gardeners is amazing.
Origin
Succulents originated in regions of Africa. The ability to store water in their thick leaves makes it easier to survive in dry areas.
Where can you grow succulents?
Succulents make excellent décor for an office, home or patio. Try xeriscape gardening, with a variety of color, shapes, textures, and sizes.
They can grow on rock gardens, crevices in stonewalls and between pavers. Give them sunshine and well-drained soil, and they will be happy campers.
Some succulents like Crown of Thorns have some sharp spines but they are not cactus. Succulents lack the areoles (spine cushions) that cactus have.
Propagating plant techniques
Succulent plants can be propagated by stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, division, offsets, tuberous roots and grafting. The best time to take cuttings is when the plant is in active season in spring or early summer. The parent plant should be healthy and vigorous.
If they are branching growth, for example, like jade and kalanchoes, cut several segments close to the main stem. If the stem is long, cut it into smaller pieces 4-6 inches long right below a node, making sure you have at least 3-4 nodes for each piece. Remove the lower leaves from each cutting and set them aside. Dip the bottom of each cutting in powder hormone and let it heal (callous).
The tree-dwelling plant (epiphytic species) leaves can be cut into sections. Let the cuttings heal and then use a prepared container with holes for drainage and cactus potting mix for the cuttings.
Succulents that grow in a “rosette” form like echeverias, sedums, and pachyphytums can be propagated from a single detached leaf the same as kalanchoes. Instead of the leaves being put into the soil for rooting, lay them on top of rooting soil mix. When roots are developed, you will have resistance when pulled. Use a small spoon to take out the plant.
Offsets are found at the base of the parent plant or all around the base. The method is the easiest one of all; the offsets have established roots already. If your parent plant is in a pot, take it out gently and remove the offsets around it. They can be potted immediately with cactus potting mix.
Sansevieria falls in this category. I have a 4-gallon Soap Aloe with a lot of pups that went through two winters outside and this past summer it had turned brown for lack of water. I moved it next to a tree and watered it. A few days later the plant was green again; it’s indestructible.
We have not done any grafting yet; but are considering giving it a try.
Growth cycles
On a yearly basis most plants experience growing and resting cycles. Succulents respond to both temperature and rainfall – once a year dormant season when cool weather sets in and a growing season in spring and summer with warm temperatures.
The Conophytum is a group of plants that resembles split rocks. Their dormant period is June-August and bloom in the winter.
The most important factor in succulent growth is light. Is it an inside plant or outside plant? Does it require bright light, moderate light, dim light or can it be grown inside with artificial light?
Over-watering can rot succulents. Invest in a moisture meter to check moisture in the plants. Use containers with holes for drainage, do bottom-up watering for at least 10-20 minutes depending on size of pot. Take them out and let them drain excess water.
Succulents will grow healthier in a potting mix that is open in texture and good drainage, also retaining some moisture. Try using two parts cactus potting soil and one-part humus. Experience has shown that this mix works quite well.
Timeless love
Gardeners often enjoy working with succulents. The joy is often the satisfaction of seeing the blooms on the plants that have been propagated.
No wonder succulents are known to symbolize timeless love. And while they thrive on neglect, you must care for them with tenderness; otherwise, you may lose a favorite plant.
The Gardeners’ Dirt is written by members of the Victoria County Master Gardener Association, an educational outreach of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Victoria County. Mail your questions in care of the Advocate, P.O. Box 1518, Victoria, TX 77901; or vcmga@vicad.com, or comment on this column at VictoriaAdvocate.com.
ph: 361-935-1556
nancyk