If Christopher Colombus is known for first introducing
cactus in Europe, our establishment is well-known for bringing within cacti
everybody’s reach in Europe, plants which were, down to the 20th
century, for well-off people, who were almost the only clients of botanists
returning from expedition.
Since 1936, growing cacti and thick leaves has
developed in Bourbonnais, and since then, 3 generations have been grown. The
interest for cacti and succulent plants
has developed so much that “les Floralies Internationales” in Paris in 1969 and
1979 were a sort of apotheosis for world cacti. Our establishment largely
participated especially in 1969 when we won 7 first prizes out of 2
competitions among which one we are most proud of : first Great Prize awarded
by an international jury presided over by le
Grand Marnier l’Apostole “all-sized cacti and thick leaves: the largest,
most varied and remarkable collection”.
This site is mainly reserved for the industry.
However, in order to please sharp surfers, we have devoted several pages for
them with some advice necessary for the upkeep of cacti, which actually do not
need more than very little water and a lot of love.
-
place the
plants as close as possible in sunlight, near a window
-
avoid close
source of heat
-
water
sparingly, only to avoid complete withering of the earth (refrain completely on
humid days)
-
when it is hot,
provide some shade for the plants, above all the small ones
-
water all the
more as it is hot and whenever the earth is dry and the weather fine
1) Succulents
Thick leaves and cacti.
All cacti come from America or South America (Mexico,
Peru, Argentina, Bolivia…). Thick leaves being more present in Africa and
especially in Southern Africa.
Aloe :
Aristata Brevifolia Concilea Ferox Humilis Marloti
Martriformis Quelhi Vera, Gasteria…
Crassula :
Licopodioides,
Perfossa, Portulacea…
Opuntia :
Albispina, Rufida, Microdasys, Brasiliensis, Monacantha, Elana, Subulata, Leucotrica, Querva Tuna Monstruosa…
Mammillaria :
Bocasana, Bombycina, Geminispina, Elongata, Hanianha, Plumosa, Wildii Cristata, Zeilmanianah…
Cereus divers,
Cereus Paruvianus Monstruosus Pilocerous Strausii…
Echinocactus
Grusoni…
Bordiguera,
Caput Medusae, Submammilliris, Pugniformis, Resi, Nifera, Hermantiana, Red,
Horrida…
Haworthia :
Fasciata,
Reinwardi, Papilosa, Cymbiformis…
Gymnocalycium
Horsti,
Quelianum, Saglione…
Notocactus
Haselbergi Leninghausi Magnificus Ottonis Scopa
Submammillosus
To refer to the largest families. There are many more.
5) Place
Cacti require a lot of light to avoid withering,
fraying out, paling.
Light is very important during the vegetative phase of
the plant (March to October). The best places are in order South, West, East
6) Floral creation or arrangement
Selection of the plants is important both to create a
yearly garden as well as a special stylised arrangement.
As a general rule, thick leaves require more water
than cacti, so it is best not to mix species if you want to keep this Japanese
garden for a long time.
Terracotta
pots with Aztec, Mexican or Indian paintings give the best effects thus
reminding us of the desert expanses, a few pebbles, gravel and coloured sand
will do the rest.
7) Conclusion
Cacti and succulents are easy to grow without any real
problem ; nevertheless, it is necessary to respect a few basic rules :
Ø
A lot of light
Ø
Very porous
earth-mix
Ø
Respect period of lying fallow (winter T° 12°
maximum)
Ø
Regular and
significant airing
Ø
Water
abundantly and seldom