Succulents: The treasures of plant kingdom

Introduction :

Succulents are the ornamental plants having striking, attractive and eye catching appearances. The word succulent is derived from Latin word ‘sucus’, meaning 'juice', or 'sap', the plants that store water in leaves, steams or both. The water content in some succulent organs will be up to 90–95%. To add further, all cactus are succulents but all succulents are not cactus, they are natives of arid deserts, cold mountains or jungles. Succulents thrive under prolonged drought, and sometimes for months, they grow better in bright light but not full hot sun always.

Succulents are not only cool and beautiful; they have some health benefits as well. They help us to live healthier as they are excellent at cleansing the air and removing toxins. They purify the air, helps us to breathe as they keep producing oxygen all through the night thus refreshed air can be inhaledduring sleep. They also improve concentration, brain capabilities and attentiveness when studying or working with plants in the room. They also help in reducing headaches, fever, cough and flu symptoms.

Succulents are the glorious plant treasures, can grow indoor and outdoor; winter, spring and long dry seasons as well. They are ornamental entity useful for decoration and aesthetic look. They are outstanding among the other plants as they are available in various shapes, sizes and colour; requires minimal care and low maintenance; suitable for different season and regions; less pests incidence and no overgrowth (slow growing). Succulents are very distinctive and unique types, easily differentiated from other plants, as they have thick leaves which give rubbery feel when touched and own a very shallow root system.

Succulents are the common decorator's in modern households, used as an office plant, suitable for landscape gardening and a good business option. They keep well in green houses also, thus widely adaptive. They are quite affordable (but some exceptions) as variety of species and types are available. Selecting containers and plants with attractive features promises an aesthetic appearance.

The propagation of many succulents is quite easy and there is advanced ventures. The multiplication of the plants depends on the plant species. Mostly, succulents are multiplied by leaf cuttings, stem cuttings, offshoots and seeds as well. Propagation by leaves is easy, as they naturally fall and grow into new plant or intentionally fallen leaves, or scraps or leaves from the plants can be collected and used for propagation by simply placing them on a suitable media. Use of stem cuttings for propagation gives a very good success compared to leaf cuttings, the stem cuttings are allowed to dry naturally and callus formation followed by rooting takes place leading to new plant formation. Not all succulents produce offshoots or pups. The pups are collected and placed on a media and allowed to grow. Seed propagation is a very slow process, thus not commercially followed.

Succulents care: It requires minimal water, rot sets in if over watered and leads to formation of rotten mess at the soil line. If the plants are under watered then there is shrivelling and yellowing of the leaves. There should be proper drainage for healthy development of the succulents and proper knowledge about when to water the succulents is much needed. The plants at the hydrated stage will be thick to touch so no water is essential but watering is required when the leaves are soft. Succulents talk to us in a language of their own, when fully hydrated, they stand up right or be in their full form but when there is moisture deficiency, wrinkles, sagging tips and bending leaves can be seen. Watering succulents is different from normal plants; the pots are kept in a pan filled with water, so the soil inside the pot takes up water through the drain holes.

The cactus belongs to sub category of succulents. Hence, all cactus are succulents but all succulents are not cactus. Cactus comprise of areoles that are actually not found in all species of succulents, areoles are small cushion like from which the leaves, spines, flowers or the hair grows. Some succulents are mistaken as cacti because they have thorns or spines but this doesn't qualify a succulent as a cacti because the areoles are the key that distinguish the both.

Succulents, the tiny plants add positive energy, those beautiful vibrant coloured flowers makes us calm and energetic, they have a great influence on our imagination due to their magnificent appeal to us.

About the Authors

Nagendraprasad, H1., Ranjeetha, R2., Dr. Sowjanya. S3

1M.Sc. Ag. Horticulture (Floriculture and Landscape Architecture), Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.

Email Id: nagendraprasadhmdy@gmail.com, Contact no: +918553935106

2Scientist Horticulture, ICAR-KVK, Chandurayanahalli, Magadi, Ramanagara 562120

Email Id: Ranjeetha.R.Gowda@gmail.com, Contact no: +919481806682.

2Scientist Agricultural extension, ICAR-KVK, Chandurayanahalli, Magadi, Ramanagara 562120

Email Id: souju.janya@gmail.com, Contact no: +91966368956