Cactus
Just How Juicy ARE Succulents? The Science of Succulence
Discover just how juicy ARE succulents? Plus the Science of Succulence: Why and how these fat plants are, well, succulent. In my new video of the same name, I rank common succulents 1-to-10 on a “Juiciness Scale.” Slicing and squishing may seem silly—even cruel—but there’s method to my madness.
Read MoreEuphorbia or Cactus? How to Tell
How can you tell a spiny euphorbia from a cactus? Observe key characteristics: the type of spines, flowers and leaves (or lack thereof). As I compiled my site’s new Euphorbia page, I happily acquired the ability to tell at a glance which is which. Sure, you can scratch a plant, and if it drips milky sap, it’s
Read MoreSucculent Lovers’ Favorite Tools
Do you own the favorite tools of your fellow succulent lovers? Consider: We differ from other gardeners in that our prized plants can turn on us. Cacti, agaves, euphorbias and even aloes can act like dogs who resent having their nails trimmed. (I don’t know about yours, but my Chihuahua is a two-person job.)
Read MoreTen Edible Succulents and How to Prepare Them
These ten edible succulents can go from garden to kitchen. Most are fairly easy to obtain, cultivate and prepare. The mucilaginous (goopy) texture of certain edible succulents makes them—to spin it positively—great in soups and stews. Vitamin C is
Read MoreHow to Repot a Stuck Spiny Succulent
In a new YouTube video, I’d planned to show you how to repot a spiny succulent. For my overgrown corn-cob euphorbia, I picked an art pot in the perfect size, color and pattern. But (yikes!) the spiky succulent was firmly stuck in its old pot.
Read MoreCan You Grow Ariocarpus?
It’s autumn and the ariocarpus are in bloom. Typical cacti, they do it spectacularly. But atypical of cacti, they’re not easy to grow. Unless you live in Texas or northern Mexico, forget about growing ariocarpus out in the open.
Read MoreWhat You Should Know about Saguaro Cactus
Are you intrigued by saguaro cactus—those desert icons depicted on everything from bath mats to baby rompers? If you’re wondering if you might be able to grow one, here’s what you should know.
Read MoreHidden Gymnos: My Thai Succulent Mystery
Will you help me solve a mystery? I’m wondering why someone would hide valuable, collectible cacti (Gymnocalycium mihanovichii variegata) in a pastry box and ship them to me from overseas.
Read MoreWhy Your Garden Needs Golden Barrels
Find out why and how professional designers use golden barrel cactus in succulent gardens, tips on using and caring for the plants, info on their habitat, plus a garden idea gallery. But first a reassurance: For a cactus, it ain’t bad. Yes it’s spiny, but the spines curve downward, so it’s not as treacherous as it looks. IMHO, its plusses far outweigh any minuses.
Read MoreHow Cactus Snowflakes Seduced Me
Remarkably, the spination of certain cacti suggests snowflakes, something I first noticed years ago at a succulent specialty nursery. I was there to photograph aloes in bloom, but I’d come too early in the season. I thought of leaving, and I’m so glad I didn’t! That afternoon forever changed the way I see certain succulent…
Read MoreThe 12 Days of Cactus
When putting this together, I envisioned friends and family sitting around the tree with a fire going. They’re finishing hot mugs of cocoa (laced with whiskey for the grownups). I hand out Xeroxed copies; they peer at the words. Teens giggle at the word “obesa.” Someone asks how to pronounce “saguaro.” But no one groans. They all know…
Read MoreJim Sudal’s Cactus Pad Holiday Tree
Jim Sudal’s cactus pad holiday tree is a great reinterpretation of the traditional fir tree, and perfect for the dry, hot Southwest. Like Jim, many residents of Phoenix (and well beyond) have stands of prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica). The juicy-leaved succulent is iconic to the region. “Last year I built a garland around my gallery…
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