VOLUME 14 :: January—October, 1952 Illustrations shown in ...

THE CACTUS AND SUCCULENT January, 1952
UNCOMMON SUCCULENTS
By G. G. GREEN
During a recent visit to Mr. Shurly's home, I was pleasantly surprised to notice that his well grown plant of
Bowiea volubilis was in full bloom. The minature greenish-white flowers, so similar to those of the Asparagus
fern, were fully opened in their hundreds at the top of the branching stem, and though not to be called beautiful,
were nevertheless, very pretty.
The surprise was really in the forwardness of the growth, for the Editor is no believer in coddling, but prefers
to give his plants as much ventilation as possible, which results in much stronger specimens. I told him that mine
had not yet flowered, and indeed, it was two weeks later that the first tiny blooms opened, showing that the
difference in latitude between the north and the south has a great deal to do with the times of growth and blooming
of the majority of plants.
This difference accounts, no doubt, for the fact that many amateurs who follow the usual routine of watering
and rest, do not, in some seasons, get the amount of growth and bloom that is to be found in the south. In the
north of England the summer begins much later and I think the watering and growing periods should be extended
slightly in the autumn to enable the plants to have as much time as possible in which to develop and ripen.
So long as there is no fear of heavy frost, I see no reason why growth should not be encouraged right up to the
end of September, and the slackening off in watering, etc. during the latter part of October. This extra time, for
us up here at least, will be welcomed by the Succulents as a whole, and they will then have a more normal season
of growth. In their native homes, the plants are used to a much longer period than they can possibly get in these
islands.
I have many times pointed out to disappointed collectors that their plants have suffered from too short a season
of growth, caused by the premature drying-off when they are just coming into the full flush of growth. This is
seen in many cases, by the failure to develop of late flower buds and the shrinking and browning of the tissues at
the growing points, or the dropping off of leaves by the succulents. More satisfaction and success will be found
if this growing period is not curtailed so soon.
Bowiea volubilis, from South Africa, has not much to recommend it as a collector's piece, but when properly
grown it can provide an attractive background subject, as the fern-like foliage is very useful for space filling or
training up the lean-to wall. Actually, the foliage is part of the inflorescence and there are no leaves, as such, on
the plant. What do form drop off very quickly.
The stems, generally two on mature plants, arise from an onion shaped bulb of a shining green colour, and similar
to a hyacinth during the resting period. It is customary to plant the bulb in rich sandy soil so that only one third
is below ground level, in order to prevent rotting during the resting period when no water should be given.
During late spring and summer, liberal watering can be given until the stems begin to wither or dry up and
no more until the following spring or until new shoots appear.
The plants are easily propagated from seed sown in the usual way, or from pieces of bulb taken from the outer
layers. These should be carefully removed during the resting period, in portions similar to those of the garden
lilies such as lancifolium or madonna, and fixed upright in a mixture of sand and peat. New bulblets will develop
at the base the following spring and will soon make good plants.
Another unusual genus, and one that for some unknown reason is rather rare in collections, is the Pelargonium,
of the family Ceraniaceae. These succulent members of this great geranium family are most interesting and unusual,
and fairly easy to grow. Some species develop beautifully coloured flowers and foliage, and are in bloom for
several weeks during early summer, making a most attractive display.
The very succulent stems gradually harden with age either into short, spiny and irregular growth, or are semi
climbing with long slender branches. The taller species branch very freely and can be trained into compact bushes,
or supported on canes into very handsome specimens.
The leaves are smaller than those of the ordinary greenhouse Pelargonium and are prettily marked in green
and reds, with minute silky white hairs and curling edges. The flowers of these species are brightly coloured and
veined in pinks and purples looking like small orchids, and are very freely produced during the early summer.
The smaller, or low growing species, generally have thick, swollen, tuber-like stems with many notches and
spines, the remains of previous growth. The branches are thin at first, being thickened at the nodes and bearing
the leaves on very long stalks. They like a well drained gritty soil that must be porous, for the stems soon rot if
they have to endure prolonged dampness. A sunny position will prevent any leggy growth and will ripen the
stems ready for the resting period during our winter.