Cacti Trauma
Do not pick this plant up!
When I say Wimbledon, I wonder what comes to mind? The thud of the tennis ball being hit over the net or the polite clapping of the crowd? Strawberries and Pimms? Sunshine and rain covers? I am guessing you don’t think Wimbledon + Cactus, unless you are Lindy the lady with the plant story that I am currently editing for Tuesday. I bumped into her last year and she told me about a cactus she had that always blooms in Wimbledon week and I held onto that thought, thinking I know the perfect timing for that episode. You’ll have to listen on Tuesday to find out whether it has done its thing and is blooming again this week!
It is also a story that taps into the way that some plants are handed down through the generations. This one has always borne the name of the person who gave the original cutting to Lindy’s mum and in fact unravelling what kind of cactus it is has been a bit of a journey - its not what we thought or indeed what Google suggested. I thought I was going to be writing about an Epiphyllum but it turns out I am writing about a Disocactus.
This is the first time since starting this podcast that I have politely declined a cutting! Actually I am not sure it was that polite, it was very instinctive and firm and the reason for that is to be seen in the photograph. You see I must have been about 5 years old when myself and my sister were staying with my lovely grandmother for a couple of days. There was a glass porch on the back of the house and shelves that were full of plants including cacti and I just picked one up - it was like the one in the photograph and I wouldn’t advise it. I didn’t pick it up by the pot but hmmm yes you guessed. We were due to go the cinema but instead spent the afternoon with nana picking the spines out of my hand. I felt very sorry for myself, my sister (4 years older and wiser) was not impressed, to put it mildly - we didn’t get to see the film. I like to think that I love all plants but its not true - I have never really forgiven that cactus.
However I’ve been won over by the power of people who have a passion for a plant. The conversation we recorded this week for the episode was with Sarah - the Plant Rescuer who loves cacti. She often rescues them when their owners have died or can no longer take care of their plant and she sees them as ‘living memorials’ to their owners who have poured so much love and attention into the plant. By the end I had changed my mind and I think a cutting of Lindy’s plant may be coming my way.
If you haven’t had a chance to hear the Rebel Botanist episode that went out on Tuesday do take a listen. And if you can rate and review on your podcast app that would be fantastic - its a very simple way to grow the podcast and get it suggested to more podcast listeners.
Finally - are there any plants you have started growing because of this podcast? Have you planted peonies or passionflowers, have your bought a fig tree or a magnolia, have your sown radish seeds or dahlia seeds? A little idea is forming and I’d love to hear from you - in the comments below or via email: sally@ourplantstories.com
Have a lovely weekend
Sally
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