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Growing Cactus & Succulents For Pleasure
by Rene Geissler
More About the Plants
Cacti
It will always help to know where the plants come from and how they grow in their natural habitat. This gives us a clue how we ought to treat them.
All Cacti come from the New World (North & South America). Cacti do not grow in deserts as is commonly thought (nothing grows in deserts!), but in very arid semi-deserts. In some of the habitats cacti may not see rainfall for years, but usually the ground is very rich in minerals.
Some of the Cacti you may see in Mediterranean regions are not native there, but have been naturalised by man.
Succulents
Succulents on the other hand grow in almost all parts of the world, apart from the Arctic and the Antarctic. However some of the richest areas for Succulents are South Africa and Madagascar, but a fair number grow in North and South America too.
Growing Cacti & Succulents is a very absorbing hobby and once you are "hooked" it can become addictive! If you grow more then just a few you will need to familiarise yourself with the names, all of which are in Latin. At first this may be a little strange, but it will become second nature to you and later it is even becomes essential as your collection grows. You will be glad as you progress. Never buy a plant without a name! This becomes more and more interesting as you progress. You won't believe how many friends you'll make, even abroad, who will be only too willing to help you. When bringing in plants from other sources, always check for Pests, diseases and repot.
