The Kew Gardener’s Guide to Growing Cacti and Succulents by the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and Paul Rees

The Kew Gardener's Guide to Growing Cacti and Succulents by the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and Paul Rees

This book came out in 2023, and the subtitle is The Art and Science to Grow with Confidence.

What makes this book particularly special is the unique blend of Kew Gardens' centuries of expertise with Paul Rees's hands-on experience as the Tropical Nursery Supervisor at the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Having worked with the cacti and succulent collection since 2009, Paul brings both scholarly knowledge and practical wisdom to every page.

Let me share some fascinating insights from the book:

First, a common misconception cleared up: while all cacti are succulents (because they store water), not all succulents are cacti! This distinction helps us understand why different succulents need different care approaches.

The book reveals some surprising facts about where these plants naturally grow. Would you believe that succulents don't just thrive in traditional deserts? 

They can be found:

• In the Atacama Desert, surviving on just 15mm of rain annually
• Along coastal cliffs, embracing salty conditions
• Under "nurse plants" that protect young specimens
• In quartz gravel plains where crystals reflect sunlight
• On cooler mountain slopes, I particularly love the profile of the Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) or "Elephant's Foot."

Despite its common name, it's not a palm at all!

This remarkable plant:

• Can grow to 26 feet in ideal conditions
• Develops a distinctive bulbous trunk
• Thrives near bright windows
• Can tolerate extended periods without water
• Is sadly threatened in its native Mexico

The book also features 12 practical projects, from creating succulent bonsai to designing living walls.

This book is 144 pages of essential wisdom for anyone interested in these architectural plants.

You can get a copy of The Kew Gardener's Guide to Growing Cacti and Succulents by the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and Paul Rees and support the show using the Amazon link in today's show notes for around $9.