Growing Hobby: Succulents & Cacti Simplified

SUCCULENTS & CACTI SIMPLIFIED

Holly Beaumier, owner of Growing Hobby, explains how succulents are diverse in their preferred living environments. Some prefer shade while others prefer direct sunlight; some turns shades of red or purple when placed in the sun and others have thorns to protect themselves. Succulents and cacti are a group of plants that hold a timeless appeal for any gardener, no matter how green their thumb may be. With a nearly infinite number of varieties, succulent growing can keep even the most avid grower and collector interested.

Cobweb Sempervivum: Grows a web to shade itself from the sun

Salsa Sedum: Turns red in the sun String of Watermelons: Is round shaped to combat wind and has epidermal windows that allow light to enter the interior of the leaf, increasing the area for photosynthesis

Lithops-Living Stones: Bury all but the top underground and have epidermal windows to increase surface area for photosynthesis

Roller Coaster Cactus: Grows a furry covering to protect it from the sun

Flapjack Kalanchoe: Turns red in direct sunlight Donkey Ear Kalanchoe: Develops speckles in direct sunlight

Haworthia: Has epidermal windows at the tips of the leaves to allow for more sunlight penetration, as it buries all but the tips of the

Old Man of the Andes Cactus: Grows hair to shade itself from the sun and has thorns to protect it

Perle von Nurnberg Echeveria: Turns purple in direct sunlight and creates a film called farina to protect it from the sun Several types of Kalanchoe: Develop a velvety texture to shade them from the sun. Pictured in front are Fang, Velvet Leaf Plant, and Chocolate Soldier

Silver Coral Senecio: Develops a wooly coating to protect it from the sun

For more information on what succulents thrive well with others or if you need help identifying your succulent or cacti, visit Growing Hobby at the Pee Dee State Farmers Market, 2513 West Lucas Street in Florence or on Facebook.