Download like structures found on the body of the cactus The spines, flowers

Cacti & Succulents in the Garden
A Guide to Selecting, Growing and Enjoying Agaves
Master Gardener Education
February 22, 2010
Jack Kelly
University of Arizona
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Pima County Cooperative Extension
Tucson, Arizona
[email protected]
Cactus Flowers
Cactus
True cacti are succulents and are native to the
Western Hemisphere.
•They do not always have spines
•True cacti have areoles, small nubbinlike structures found on the body
of the cactus
•The spines, flowers, and roots develop
from areoles
Leaf
Leaf Succulent
(Haworthia truncata)
Root tuber
Transparent
‘windows’ allow light
to reach the bottom
base of the leaf
Roots
Areole
Trichome
Spine (modified leaf)
Tubercle
Waxy Cuticle
Water storing
parenchyma cells
Vascular cylinder
Stem Succulent
Echinocactus grunsonii)
Golden Barrel Cactus
Container Growing
• Choose appropriate varieties that will
not outgrow the container quickly
• Use a soil mix that drains quickly, use
clay pots
• Use slow release fertilizers (Osmocote)
or a soluble fertilizer such as
Peter’s, Miracle-Gro, etc
• Underpot to aid in soil drying between
waterings
• Choose ‘ideal’ location in partial sun
to place the container
•
Plant slightly high in container with lower
leaves above the soil line
•
Repot every 3 - 4 years
Agave, Cactus, add Succulent Basics
Plant in well-draining soil
Provide adequate light - many species prefer partial
sun or filtered light
Carefully choose a micro-climate
Best when planted during warm weather to aid in root
development
Use organic amendments carefully - too much can
interfere with proper drainage and lead to rotting
Protect from direct sun when planting nursery grown
plants. Plant at the same orientation as grown in
nursery
Know the mature size of the plant and space
accordingly
Be aware of spines especially in areas of pedestrian
traffic
Remove any damaged roots from field grown plants
and allow to dry for several days in the shade
Plant in a shallow wide hole with a minimum of organic
amendment in the backfill
Water thoroughly after planting and determine the
irrigation schedule
Do not use organic mulches; use decomposed granite
or rock
Keep water off of wide-leaved species and agaves to
prevent spotting of the foliage
Saguaro
•Saguaro is our State Flower
• Symbol of the Sonoran Desert
• Home for many birds
Ocotillo
Boojum tree (Idria columnaris)
This unusual plant is closely related to
our native Ocotillo and is native to
Baja California. It is rare, slowgrowing, and therefore expensive. It
makes a very nice addition to any
collection and is now being grown by
several nurseries in the Tucson area.
Cactus
Cactus
Problems of Indoor Cactus and
Succulents
Mealy Bugs - Treat with a swab/paintbrush
dipped in alcohol or handpick
Spider Mites - Wash plant every 5-7 days with
a strong stream of water or use a miticide at
the same interval
Scale - Scrape off individual scales or treat
with a systemic insecticide
Credits
• Desert Plants, published by the Boyce
Thompson Arboretum, Superior, Arizona
• Mary Olsen, Associate Plant Pathology
Specialist, University of Arizona
• Greg Corman, Gardening Insights, Tucson,
Arizona
•Gregg Starr, Starr Nursery, Tucson, Arizona
*****************
• Special Thanks to Bach’s Greenhouse
Cactus Nursery, Tucson, Arizona
Questions,Comments?
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June
30,
1914 in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, James A.
Christenson, Director, Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture & Life
Sciences, The University of Arizona.
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