Tenacity is a key word for cacti and succulents. They make a
good choice of plant for gardeners who lack the knack that sees plants
flourish, but who yearn for something green in their immediate surroundings.
They are also very good subjects for indoor container growing, and can prove a
successful introduction to gardening for young people: I still remember with
affection the "mother-of-millions" (Kalanchoe daigremontiana)
succulent I was given by a neighbor when I was a pre-teen.
All succulents have the virtue of tolerating an erratic
watering schedule, since that is what nature provides them and what they have
adapted to manage; but some have the additional virtue of tolerating dimly lit
growing conditions, which is indeed a bonus if you are looking for a house
plant to keep an invalid company. Ideally, some rotation of plants from poorly
lit to window sill locations will increase the probability of achieving
flowering: but that does require additional discipline on the part of the
gardener.
There are some cautions to be observed for outdoor plants in Dubai with growing
any plants on a window sill (or any other surface close to a window). On a
sunny day temperatures close to the glass can exceed 100?F; and in winter,
without insulation or adequate air movement plants can literally freeze.
The flowers of many succulents and cacti are, of course,
their crowning glory. Some are truly spectacular. A relation of mine on
occasion looks positively smug, considering the lack of effort involved, as her
crab cactus (Epiphyllum truncatum) burst into their annual riot of flowering.
Each flower comes close to the size of the plant itself. Orchid cactus
(Disocactus ackermannii) is another cactus that produces prolific and vibrant
flowers. But size isn't everything, and there is also pleasure to be had in
contemplating the tiny but perfectly formed flowers of Crassula nudicaulis.
One of the joys of growing container succulents plants in Dubai, especially indoors, is the process of
choosing the containers. Provided that the pot is big enough for the plant, you
can choose whatever complements your interior décor; opting for the quirky adds
something to the often distinctive form of the plant itself. Some subjects do
well in hanging pots, which can be useful in a smaller area that has limited
surfaces to stand pots on.
Various proprietary soil mixes are available: all that is
really required is a loose and well aerated medium that allows for easy root
growth: between 25 per cent to 50 per cent organic matter is widely
recommended. Succulents and cactus plants in Dubai are both subject to root rot if they become waterlogged, so
make sure not to kill them with misplaced kindness.