The Ontario Cactus and Succulent Show June 27, 2009

Most people don’t realize that all cacti and succulents flower. Come to Sherway Gardens (Hwy 427 and the QEW) for the annual Ontario Cactus & Succulent Society (OCSS) Show on Saturday, June 27 (10 am – 6 pm) and Sunday, June 28 (11am – 5pm) in Sherway Square and enjoy the colourful blooms. Get valuable growing tips from the experts and learn how to make cacti and succulents part of your garden this year. For information call (416) 621-1070 or visit www.sherwaygardens.ca.

The Ontario Cactus and Succulent Show at Sherway Gardens is one of the biggest shows of its kind in Canada. Hundreds of rare, unusual and expertly grown plants will be on display at this judged exhibit.

“Cacti and succulents can be easily grown by most people once they get the hang of it,” states Les Betka, Ontario Cactus and Succulent Show Organizer. “There will be a large variety of plants on display at Sherway Gardens and experts will be on hand to share their cultivation secrets!”

Cacti are actually very easy to cultivate and flower if the grower understands that as a general rule they like sun and heat and a soil that allows good drainage. Cacti and succulents are great for gardeners of all levels; with less work required than general household plants, these plants are extremely easy to care for as they have tremendous recuperative powers if mistreated.

Some of the hardier cacti and succulents that can survive our winter will be for sale at Sherway Gardens.

DISCOVER WATER CONSERVATION THROUGH XERISCAPE GARDENING!

Every summer water consumption becomes an important concern, and as a result many gardeners across Canada are turning to Xeriscape gardening to help conserve water.

This water-efficient, low maintenance approach to landscaping uses winter-hardy cacti, succulents and drought resistant plants that need less watering, less weeding, less fertilizing, less pruning, less mowing, and less pesticides. The time you save can be used to enjoy the summer!

Here are some simple tips to begin your own xeriscaped garden:
• Design for water conservation by grouping plants with the same watering needs together in areas of the garden that best suit their needs.
• Grade your garden to help direct water to the plants that have the highest water needs.
• Reduce your lawn with tiered gardens, rock gardens, low water-use shrubs or flowering trees and groundcover.
• Select native and low water-use plants that thrive in our climate.
• Water wisely based on the specific needs of low water-use plants in your gardens.
• Mulch your garden using bark, wood chips, or stones to reduce evaporation from the soil, inhibit weed growth, and minimize soil erosion.
• Improve the quality of your soil. Heavy-clay soils drain slowly while sandy or stony soils drain too quickly. By adding peat moss or compost you will improve the absorption and water-holding capacity or the drainage of your soil.

PLANTS TO CONSIDER FOR XERISCAPE GARDENING:

Xeriscape Plus is a higher standard of environment-friendly landscaping with water-efficient plants. Some plants that can be grown in a Xeriscape garden include:

CACTI
• Opuntia humifusa (native of Point Pelee)
• Opuntia imbricata (tall plants)
• Opuntia whipplein
• Opuntia fragilis (native of southern Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, and BC)
• Opuntia policanta (very spiny cacti from Alberta)
• Echinocereus viridiflorus (small yellow flower)
• Escobaria vivipara (pink flower from Alberta)

SUCCULENTS
• Sedum species (several different flowers)
• Delosperma (yellow and pink flowers)
• Sempervivum (several different species)
• Orostachys (native of Mongolia)
• Lewisia (native of Alberta)
• Yucca glauca
• Yucca filamentosa (creamy flowers in a bunch)

WATERING TIPS FOR CACTI AND SUCCULENTS:

• Use lukewarm water as cold water can shock the roots.
• As a rule, water your Cacti seldom, and be very careful not to over water.
• Cacti and other succulents prefer hot and dry conditions and a soil that allows good drainage and aeration.
• Let the soil dry out completely between waterings during the growing season, and water even less during the winter.
• A good way to test if your cactus needs water is to poke a small, clean redwood stake in the soil. If it comes up with small particles clinging to it, then the soil is still moist.
• Most of the tropical succulent plant species should not be watered from about mid-September until the end of March.

The Ontario Cactus and Succulent Society (OCSS) is Canada's largest cactus and succulent society with more than 250 members. The OCSS operates in partnership with the Cactus and Succulent Society of America (CSSA), the Czech and Slovak Society of Cactus and Succulent Growers, and with the Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG)of Burlington, Ontario.

Official Website: http://www.sherwaygardens.ca