Care for cacti and succulents
Don’t overwater plants at this time of year; they’re better to be on the dry side
Although we’re past the peak flowering time for cacti, there are some species that will flower again later in the year. These are the species that flower steadily over spring and summer, such as thelocactus, astrophytum and the attractive Matucana weberbaueri, a Peruvian plant which has been in cultivation for many years. Mammillaria fraileana, although it has a slightly delicate constitution, is also good for a second flowering. Finally, there are later-flowering species, including gymnocalycium and echinopsis. In late July or early August we welcome the flowering of Lithops pseudo truncate ll a, which heralds the start of the lithops’ flowering season. Then there’s usually a gap of a month or two before the others follow.
In terms of jobs at this time of year, the main ones Chairman of the British Cactus & Succulent Society, Alasdair bought his first cactus seed nearly 40 years ago. He prefers cultivating many young-flowering and small-growing plants rather than fewer large specimens. As a speaker, he travels around the country visiting some of the BCSS’s 80 branches and judging society shows.
are feeding and watering. Keep regularly feeding your plants with a high-potash feed. If you’re going on holiday don’t be tempted to overwater your plants before you go. You’re better just to water as normal and they’ll be a bit dry when you return. Watch out for red
spider mite and mealybug, both of which are a nuisance at this time of the year if you don’t get on top of them as soon as you see them. Check any plants you’re propagating as they may be ready to pot on now. The other thing I always do now is move plants away from the glass where there’s direct sunlight. Succulents and cacti may be sun-lovers, but you don’t want scorched plants!