CACTUS CHIC AND OTHER PLANT FASHIONS

It is all over for cut flowers. Like thin ties and miniskirts, the fickle finger of fashion has sent those lovely bouquets up the river. Comes now the age of the potted plant. Not just any potted plant, mind you, but an impossible-to-kill, ugly desert creature known as the cactus. Ugly, perhaps, but it’s the right kind of ugly. Like English bulldogs and Jean-Paul Bel-mondo.

Cactus isn’t just popular, it’s downright chic. And if your visions of cacti are little-old-lady dish gardens or Gene Autry riding off into the sunset, think again. There is a whole new world of cactus out there, stylishly turned out in baskets and Plexiglass cubes. A cactus in a dusty-rose, glazed dish may be a dismal sight; but a big, angular cactus in an African basket is a match made in designer’s heaven.

Much of the cactus craze has to do with modern interior design. Cacti’s inherent simplicity of form and complexity of surface are perfect botanical complements to spare, stark, chrome and glass interiors. A large cactus has a commanding presence in a room. It is neither graceful like the Kentia palm, nor elegant like a tree form Ficus benjimina. But it is easy to care for. In fact, it will not die, unless you are heavy-handed with the water. So lay off the Jewish mother routine and let this plant alone and it will be more than okay, it will thrive.



Taking Care of Cactus

The rule of green thumb in cactus care is more light and less water. Give it the brightest spot in the house -there is no such thing as too much light for these plants. Most varieties need several hours of direct sunlight each day. A south window is the ideal exposure.

During the period of active growth, cacti should be watered at regular intervals, but allowed to dry completely between waterings. That means the soil must be bone dry with no trace of dampness. During the winter, when plants are resting or in dormancy, they need even less water.

If possible, put the cactus outside during the spring and summer growth period and you will see better results. The cactus might even reward you with a spectacular bloom. This is also the time to fertilize, not during the winter rest period.

Cacti are rather sturdy plants. They can and will adapt to the house environment and are relatively free from disease and insect infestation. If bug problems do develop, fight off the invasion with alcohol on a Q-Tip or paint brush before you try insecticides.

What and Where to Buy

In general, it is not a good idea to buy plants that aren’t marked with correct botanical names (so you will know exactly what you are getting), but in the case of cacti, forget this and buy whatever strikes your eye. The care of all varieties is basically the same. Later in the game, if your curiosity gets the best of you, look up the plant name in the cactus section of Grafs one-volume Exotic Plant Manual. Or, in cases of extreme desperation, contact the Cactus and Succulent Society of America, 820 W. 115 St., Los Angeles, California.

There are two growers in this area who specialize in cactus plants. The Cactus Nursery and Farm, 11550 AudeTia Road, has a large selection of small plants for indoors and many outdoor varieties. Cutchshaw Cactus Company on Highway 380 just west of McKinney is the real find, however. Mr. Cutchshaw grew cacti as a hobby before he went into the plant business full-time and he is extremely knowledgeable. You won’t be disappointed if you take the time to drive out to his place. He has the best selection of cactus in the area and the best prices.



Your Cactus

Needs a Friend

It’s no fun to be chic and lonesome. Your cactus needs friends, some good-looking background plants to surround the superstar. Stay with plants that are appropriate to the conditions that exist in your home and your collection will thrive. It is infinitely better to grow something ordinary that has a good chance of surviving than something exotic that will look ratty after three weeks in residence.

At the top of the list of desirables is the John Wayne Botanical Special-the Dracena. It’s big. It’s tough. And it’s good-looking. There are three varieties that are excellent in the house, but two are invaluable if you need tall plants in a room, Dracena marginata and Dracena massa-ngeana. They tolerate low light intensity, careless watering and low humidity. What more could you ask for?

If you need more than one big plant, try a palm. The Kentia palm is the most beautiful and sought-after, but it is expensive. Try a Rhapis palm or Bamboo palm instead. Avoid the Areca palm. Yes, it is less expensive than the others, but you’ll be running Red Spider Hotel if you buy one. It is possible to control the bugs but it means a regular spraying schedule-outside. It just can’t be done indoors.

Two more tall beauties are the tree form Ficus benjimina and the Ficus lyrata or Fiddleleaf fig. However, they both require the same strong light as the cactus group.

In the smaller size range there are more choices. These plants are available in small sizes suitable for table tops and some of them will grow to 30 inches as mature specimens. Pan-danus, parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans), Spathiphyllum (especially nice in the large leaf variety), Ag-laonema (Chinese evergreen), and Dracena warneckei are the easiest to grow. Several varieties of Dieffen-bachia are worth trying but be careful not to overwater.

The Philodendron selloum is the sleeper in this group. It is not expensive, matures quickly and with very little care can be a grand looking plant. It has a wide horizontal spread and will quickly fill an entire corner of a room.

There are several nice trailing plants to try for table tops or hanging baskets. Grape ivy (Cissus rhombi-folia) is one of the best. The airplane plant (Chlorophytum) and arrowhead plant (Syngonium) are worth a try. The California and small leaf ivies are very pretty but highly susceptible to red spiders. Asparagus fern (Spre-ngeri) and Boston fern are the best in the fern group for indoors.

Like cacti, all these plants probably should be taken outside for the summer, unless, of course, you have excellent light from very large windows or sky lights.

Living inside is a survival game at best in most homes. Eventually most plants succumb and begin to look terrible unless they are outside at least part of the summer. There they have a chance to put on growth under good conditions and can get the boost they need to survive the winter inside.

Amateur growers with large collections stress several points in plant care. Develop a system of feeding in very, very diluted amounts with each watering, rather than a big shot once in a while. Hold back during the winter months when there is no active growth.

Another point often mentioned is the importance of keeping dust off the leaves of indoor plants. If possible, take the plant outside periodically and hose it down or at least sponge off the leaves with water. If you insist on shiny leaves, use a mixture of half milk, half water on a well wrung-out sponge. Never use commercial plant wax. It is the shortest route between your house and the Dempster-Dumpster.



Dressing Your Plants

Indoor plants really look best in baskets. Plain clay pots are the next best choice, but the advantage in using baskets is you can hide that useful, but unsightly rubber saucer that catches excess water. If you fill the saucer with bark chips (available at most plant shops) and keep them damp all the time it adds moisture to the air around the plant. This is espe-:ially good in the winter when the air in most homes is very dry – too dry for plants. Be sure, however, that the plant rests on top of the bark chips and never sits in water since it will rot out the roots. The largest and best looking selection of baskets is at Robert V. Goodman, Inc., 2918 N. Henderson. Folk Art, 2727 Routh St., has a small but interesting collection of imported baskets.



How to Get

Educated About Plants

If you are really serious about growing plants you can save time, money and disappointments by reading, taking courses and/or doing some legwork before you buy. First, take a trip to the Dallas Garden Center at Fair Park. Then make the rounds of local nurseries and plant shops to see what well-grown plant specimens are supposed to look like. There are excellent interior plantings at North-Park Mall, the new First Federal Savings and Loan Building at Preston Center, Valley View Mall and the Campbell Center. Six Flags Over Texas has a dazzling array of tropical and sub-tropical varieties. Leave the children at home and take a trip just to see the plants.

For reading material, local plants-men and growers are in agreement that the bible of the plant world is Grafs Manual, a scholarly tome with 4200 illustrations. The charts and reference system may seem complex at first, but it is the most scientific house plant handbook available. Also the Dallas Garden Center has an excellent library that is open to the public by appointment.

If you have specific questions and don’t have time to leaf through volumes of plant books, John Hill or Dr. Prem Chand at the Garden Center (428-7476), or Dr. Robert Moon of the Dallas County Agricultural Service (749-8393), can probably give you some quick answers.

If you’d like to be able to answer your own questions, there are courses in house plant care available this fall at the Garden Center, El Centra, Eastfield, SMU, and Richland. Check to see what is coming up this spring.

After all the looking, talking, reading and studying, if you are still nervous about caring for your plants, here’s a great crutch: The Mark III Water Meter can be sunk into the soil around your plants and will tell you when they need water. This handy and rather expensive gadget ($30) is available at Robert V. Goodman, Inc. or from Rick Associates, Bellaire, Texas. If you decide to buy one, better hide it from your friends. It may be scientific and useful, but it is definitely not chic.

Shopping Guide

cactus specialists

Cutchshaw Cactus Company

Highway 380, west of McKinney 1-542-7016



The best selection of cactus of all sizes at the best prices in the Dallas area. Mr. Cutchshaw is very knowledgeable about cactus. This is the place to start your collection.



Cactus Nursery and Farm

11550 Audelia Road

824-1031



Good selection of small cactus. Prices are lower than at the large plant shops.



cactus and other house plants

Alexander Garden Center

2449 W. Illinois

339-8080



Well organized with a large selection of house plants in all sizes. Good prices. Fine selection of small cacti, many unusual varieties.

Casa Verde

3215 Armstrong

522-6580



Carefully organized, complete stock of house plants in all sizes, including many unusual varieties. All the plants are labeled, including instructions on their care and requirements. Some large cactus, good selection of small varieties.

Dodd’s Garden Center

10729 Preston Road

361-6491



Complete selection of house plants, small selection of cactus. Knowledgeable sales staff.



Robert V. Goodman

2918 N. Henderson

821-4590



Excellent selection of house plants, most in the medium and large sizes. Best selection of large cactus. Large and unusual basket collection.



Lambert Landscape Co. Inc.

7300 Valley View Lane

239-0121

Large, well organized stock of house plants in all sizes. Nice selection of small cactus, many unusual varieties. Good selection of plant books. Knowledgeable sales staff.



New East Dallas Plant Company

Gaston and Abrams Road

824-1031



Good selection of house plants. Excellent selection of cactus in small and medium size range.



North Haven Gardens

7700 Northaven Road

363-5316



Well organized, well marked and a complete stock of house plants. All sizes. Unusual varieties. Good stock of small cactus, all marked with botanical names.



Plant Room

13330 Emily Road

near Coit and Alpha intersection 231-5901



One of the prettiest and most interesting plant shops in Dallas though not the best organized since the plants are spread out under the trees in all directions. Excellent selection of house plants including some very unusual varieties. Small but good selection of cactus.



Sunshine Miniature Trees

7118 Greenville Avenue 691-0127



It’s not all miniature trees. They have a large selection of Dracenas in all sizes. Also one of the few shops with a good selection of large, well priced Rhaphis palms.