Horticulture Principles and Practices

14.5 GROWTH REQUIREMENTS
Growth requirements include the following:
1. Light. An inadequate light supply is usually the cause of poor growth and
development of succulents grown indoors. Since an indoor light supply is
irregular, succulents grown indoors should be located on the windowsill or
near a window where they can receive sunlight. Window-grown plants are
prone to phototropic response and should be turned regularly to prevent the
foliage from curving toward bright light. It is a good practice to place
potted succulents outside for some time during the bright days of spring and
summer.
2. Temperature. Succulents generally grow well under warm conditions. They are
cold sensitive and as such should not be left outside during the cold season.
3. Moisture. By nature, succulents are able to store large amounts of water due to
adaptive mechanisms that enable them to survive dry conditions. However, this
should not be misconstrued to mean that they do not need watering. On the
contrary, a good watering regime increases the success of succulents. Physiologically,
they need watering during the period of active growth. The amount
provided should be reduced during the rest period of the plant. Since the foliage
of most succulents have great aesthetic value, it is best to water potted indoor
succulents from below to prevent water from splashing on the plants, which often
leaves unsightly markings from the salts in the water.
4. Fertilizing. Unless the succulents are fast growing, they are not likely to benefit
a great deal from any fertilizer application regimen. However, some nutrition is
needed to support basic growth and development. Nitrogenous fertilizers should
be used with caution since they may cause weakness and flabbiness in top
growth.
5. Diseases and pests. Indoor plant pests such as root mealybugs, spider mites,
scales, and mealybugs affect succulents because the anatomical arrangement of
the leaves is a conducive environment for such pests to hide and thrive. When
root mealybugs become a problem, succulents should be repotted after removing
the old medium. Observance of phytosanitation reduces the incidence of diseases
and pests.
6. Repotting. Like other potted plants, succulents periodically need to be repotted
into larger containers. In spite of their succulence, some of these plants are
brittle and should be handled with care. The foliage may be cleaned with a mild
detergent and water.
14.6 BROMELIADS
Epiphyte
A plant that grows upon
another plant but is not a
parasite.
14.6.1 WHAT ARE BROMELIADS?
Bromeliads belong to the family Bromeliaceae. These tropical plants have certain
distinguishing features. They have a rosette plant form and absorb food and moisture
primarily through their leaves. The name bromeliad derives from this aerial feeding
characteristic. As such, bromeliads are sometimes called air plants. Most bromeliads
grown indoors are epiphytes; however, nonepiphytic terrestrial species exist. The most
popular terrestrial species is the edible pineapple (Ananas comosus). Bromeliads produce
brilliantly colored flowers that may appear at any time of the year once the plant
has attained maturity. Bromeliads also need to have water in the center of the rosette,
which is the growing point. The two most common plant shapes are presented in
Figure 14–12. Popular species are listed in Table 14–2.
458 Chapter 14 Growing Succulents