Submitted by: Jim Tanner

[NOTE: Same text for Cactus and Succulent this month]

This month both the Cactus and Succulents categories are Variegated plants. Variegation is a mutant process. Something has gone wrong with the cellular structure of the leaf or stem growth tip (apical meristem) of the plant. As a result of this mutation, chlorophyll is missing from some or all layers of the plant epidermis.

Variegation is known in most plant families, and variegated plants have a place in most gardens. The bright yellow and white of variegated foliage adds pattern and rhythm to many herbaceous borders.  Variegated plants grow slower,  and are generally smaller than non-variegated plants of the same species. A large, well-grown variegated plant of any species is truly an achievement. In succulent shows,  variegates are generally separated from normal plants, and compete against other variegates to put them on an equal footing.

Agave – There are several forms of variegated Agave americana. There are forms with a green center stripe and yellow edges, a yellow stripe and green edges, a green center and white edges, a white center and green edges, yellow centers and crinkled edges. Other species of Agaves have also produced variegates, with the same variety of variegation.

Cacti – Variegated forms can be found in many genera. Gymnocalycium are the most often seen, but some variegated columnar and Ferocactus are also common in cultivation. The odd variegated form appears in many seedling batches. Variegated Turbinicarpus, Astrophytum, Matucana and Ariocarpus have been seen at some of the recent shows. Many of these are artificially propagated by grafts. The famous ‘Red Caps’ and ‘Yellow Caps’ are variegated Gymnocalycium or Lobivia that have no chlorophyll at all, and live only by being grafted onto a root stock.

Dracaena (=Sansevieria) – There are dozens of named and unnamed varieties. Look for ‘Bantel’s Sensation’, ‘Futura’, ‘Silver Moon’, ‘Silver Princess’, and variegated varieties of some of the cylindrical forms. Unlike normal Sansevierias, these can be difficult to grow. They will not tolerate cold and wet conditions. Variegated Sansevieria can only be propagated through the tuber. Cuttings of the leaves will root, but will almost always revert to an non-variegated form. On the other hand, normal Sansevierias will often put out a variegated pup. These should be removed from the main plant and grown on their own roots to preserve the variegation.

Gasteria – The Japanese have made an art of variegated Gasteria and Haworthia cultivation. Read the 2000 CSSA Journal for just a sampling of the wonderful cultivars. Miniature white species, yellow species, and the occasional pink can be found. There are dozens of variegated Gasterias shown at our shows, and available from all of the local vendors. Look for Gasteria ‘Little Warty’, a nice white and green species, as well as many of the yellow and green species such as the Japanese hybrid Gasteria ‘Shozodan’, shown above.

Euphorbia – A number of variegated columnar are available, E. ammak, being the one most often seen. There are also some cristate and monstrose forms as well.

Haworthia – “Gray Ghost” is a variegated Haworthia retusa . There are several variegated Haworthia limifolia that look as if they were painted with mustard. Shown above is a variegated hybrid between Haworthia attenuata and Haworthia pumilla. Offsets are produced on the flower stalks, these are variegated, as are the flowers themselves.

Tom Glavich 2005

LATIN LOOKUP – Loquerisne Latine (Do you speak Latin)?

The meanings of latin plant names on this page – from https://davesgarden.com/guides/botanary/

• Astrophytum [ass-troh-FY-tum]
  From the Greek astro (star) and phyto (plant).
• Echinopsis [ek-in-OP-sis]
  From the Greek echinos (sea urchin or hedgehog) and opsis (like), referring to the plant’s resemblance to sea urchins.
• Gymnocalycium [jim-no-kal-LISS-ee-um]
  From the Greek gymnos (naked) and kalyx (covering; calyx); the flower buds are naked.
• mihanovichii [me-han-oh-VIK-ee-eye, my-han-oh-VIK-ee-eye]
  Named for Nicolas Mihanovich, 20th century Yugoslavian shipping magnate and patron of botany.
• myriostigma [my-ree-oh-STIG-muh]
  From the Greek myrios (many, countless) and stigma (thorn, point).
• terscheckii [ter-SHEK-ee-eye]
  Named for Carl Adolf Terscheck, 19th century gardener at the “Japanese Palais” garden at Dresden.