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Pretty but prickly

The Cactus needs very little care and come in mind-boggling variety

DESERT CHARM The cactus

Cacti are native to the Americas.

More than 400 varieties are grown all over the world. The name `Cactus' comes from the Greek word `Kaktos' which means `with thorns'. Nearly all species have thorns, which protect them from UV light and drying wind. Thorns of some species absorb water in the form of dew, which condenses on these structures. As desert plants, cacti are able to use more water than is often understood.

Propogation

Cacti are propagated using seedlingsand by grafting method. Grafting is a common method of cactus propagation. It is the only method for growing red, yellow and brown varieties. Grafting one piece of cactus stem (scion) to a rooted stem of another (stock) also opens up a bewitching world of shapes and colours for the cactus grower. This graft - art gives the gardener a chance to create new plants not found anywhere in nature.

A sheltered veranda or partly sun exposed corner of a garden with trees above are well suited to duplicate natural conditions for maintaining the cactus. A pot mixture of coarse sand, red soil and organic manure, which is well drained, is ideal for cacti, allowing easy root penetration and re-potting. Plastic or ceramic pots of 6-inch size are enough for growing young individual plants. The base of the pot should be filled with coarse gravel to cover the drainage holes so that excess water can escape with relative freedom.

Planting rules

While planting, sufficient soil is placed in the container to cover the roots of the plant to the point where they join the body. After gently firming the soil near the plant and at the edge of the container, pebbles or coloured stones are added to cover the soil and the base of the plant. Yearly re-potting of young plants will speed up their development, pots of two to three times the diameter of the young plant are sufficient to maintain healthy growth. Mature, full sized plants should be re-potted less frequently and preferably into pots of the same size or a slightly larger size. While re-potting, the plant is carefully taken out of the pot, worn out and dead roots are removed by trimming and the plant is left in the shade for two to three days for healing. The pot is cleared off the old pot mixture and is filled with new one invariably containing organic manure. The cactus is replanted in the new mixture, which is moistened, and no watering is needed for 5-6 days.

Mini gardens

Mini cactus gardens can be prepared with a collection of different varieties in large shallow plastic trays or other such containers (minimum depth 30-50 cms). These `mini gardens' increase the visual appeal of grouped plants, of varied colours and shapes, at the same time reducing re-potting, maintenance and frequent watering. The space between the plants can be filled with coloured stones, or other decorative natural objects, which blend with their surroundings.

Regular watering should be restricted to months when there is visible active growth of plants. In principle, watering to run-off point once or twice a week is better than watering daily.

Soil, rather than being kept wet, should be given time to dry out between watering. Unlike other garden plants, periodical feeding of the cactus with organic or chemical fertilizers is not required. Brown scarring in cactus is caused by exposing plants to excessive heat or strong sunlight. If cacti are over fed with water rotting and collapse of the plants will occur. Mites and mealy bugs are the common insect pests, which cause decay of the plant. These infections can be effectively controlled by spraying metacid or monocrotophos (5mg to a litre of water).

Thorny issues?

Dispel these myths about the cactus. To begin with their spines are NOT poisonous. They flower with great regularity and NOT just once in every seven years. These remarkable plants need little attention and will survive for great lengths of time without watering. In fact, many cacti that suffer at the hands of their owners are killed by kindness like excessive watering and manuring.

JACOB VARGHESE

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