10 CACTUS seeds austrocylindropuntia subulata - SUCCULENT PLANTS - succulent plants - cactaceae - flower seeds - high germination - seeds

Most succulents belong to the Cactaceae family, or more commonly Cactaceae, which includes about 3000 species and 120 genera. Cactaceae are xerophytic plants that live in arid environments thanks to the accumulation of water inside the succulent tissues. These plants are used mainly as ornamentals and for their ease of cultivation.

Cactaceae are succulent plants that can take on different shapes: there are those with a globular or flattened appearance, those columnar and can live both in large groups and as single plants. These plants are all perennial and mostly native to the New World countries, even if there are species typical of Africa, Madagascar and Sri Lanka; however, most of them can be grown without problems even in our latitudes.

A common characteristic of Cactaceae, often simply called Cactus, from the Greek “Kaktos”, meaning thorny plant, is that of having a root system deep enough to search for water in the depths of the subsoil. They are almost all leafless, at least as we are used to seeing them, and photosynthesis occurs thanks to the stem and strictly at night to avoid losing water.

All plants of this family have solitary, sessile flowers, generally brightly colored, that appear in spring and summer and often remain in bloom for just one night. The fruits are generally fleshy and of variable size, can be covered with thorns and always contain many seeds impregnated with a sugary substance.

Generally these plants are grown for ornamental purposes; many fruits of these plants are edible, the prickly pear among all; in the Andean countries the Cactaceae are also used for the production of light wood for the manufacture of small artefacts, while in Argentina some columnar species are also used for the construction of fences.

Cultivation

In regions where winters are too humid, it is advisable to grow cacti in greenhouses or glass boxes, since they can also survive the night in a very cold environment, as long as it is dry. On the contrary, they could not survive a cold and humid atmosphere.

Potting mixes, preferably made of synthetic material and not terracotta, used to grow Cacti must be particularly porous, so that air can circulate and there is no stagnation of humidity.

It will then be necessary to add very fine sand, grit or brick shards to ensure good drainage. Epiphytic group cacti also require the addition of humus to the compost already in the pot. Leaf mould or peat will be fine and, in any case, the soil must be well drained.
Succulents need heat in the winter, but care must be taken that this is dry heat and that a stagnant atmosphere does not form, which could be a source of humidity.