..::Growing Cacti & Succulents in Highrise Apartments of Singapore::..

Above left and right: The Rat Tail Cactus is easy to grow in a sunny position
and is best grown in a hanging basket. It bears magenta flowers annually.

'Aporo' in Greek means perplexing as botanists are having problems classifying this cactus which is actually an epiphyte just like our ferns, tillandsias and orchids. When matured, it will reward you with magenta flowers. I had seen it blooming in a local nursery. The cactus however is grafted onto a Hylocereus root stock to give it a cascading effect.

Culture: Well drained soil in a sunny location. Need to protect from rain.

2. Astrophytum myriostigma, Bishop's Cap (EASY)

Above left: Astrophytum ornatum.
Above right: Astrophytum myriostigma is also known as sea urchin cactus
Below left: Astrophytum myriostigma nudum is a form of Astrophytum myriostigma with no spots.
Below right: My first Astrophytum asterias that I bought in the late 1990s.

There are 6 species in this genus and is one of the very few cactus genera that can flower well in Singapore. Yellow flowers can be borne singly or in double in mature plants. Recommended species: A. asterias. There are many cultivars of A. asterias and most of them have interesting markings on their body. Some of the rare Japanese cultivars can fetch thousands of dollars.

Culture: Any well drained soil in a filtered sun location.

3. Cereus peruvianus (EASY)

Above left: I got my first cutting in 20 Mar 2003. I potted it in a barely 7 inch pot.
Above right: It finally spiked for me on 8 Apr 2006 after attaining a height of 1.8m. Below left: It started to open on 16 Apr 06, 12:14 am.
Below left & right: After some advice from matthew1381 to switch off the lights, the flower was finally in full bloom at 2:14 am giving off a grassy fragrance.

Cereus peruvianus is not a desert cactus. It is native to Southern and Central America with a similar climate as Singapore with distinct wet and dry seasons. Desert cacti require 2-3 months of winter chill in order to grow and bloom well. If it is a desert plant, I doubt it will be a popular houseplant in Singapore. It usually spikes after a drop in temperature eg rains etc. Flowers are nocturnal though some species are day bloomers.

Culture: Can tolerate low light though direct sun is best for best results. It is tolerant of a wide range of soil.

4. Echinocactus grusonii, Golden Barrel Cactus (AVERAGE)

Above left and right: A collection of golden barrel cacti in Nong Nooch Tropical Garden.
Below left: The tiny golden flowers of Echinocactus grusonii.
Below right: Seedlings of Echinocactus grusonii.

It takes decades for this cactus to reach maturity from 1-2 year old seedlings. Flowers, however, are small compared to the size of the cactus. It is a challenge to take care of gigantic cacti. The vast amount of potting media in the huge pot holds too much moisture which can be disastrous to the plant. It is crucial to use very free draining mixture as the cactus matures.

Culture: Well drained soil in a sunny location. Need to protect from rain.

5. Echinopsis (Average)

Above left and right: Echinopsis oxygona taken by limxuanhong in the Singapore Botanical Gardens on 24 Sep 06.
Middle left and right: Matthew1381's Echinopsis oxygona which were blooming their heads off during Spring on 23 Oct 06 in Perth.
Below left and right: Tanya's Echinopsis calochlora which is a spring bloomer.

Above left: Seedlings of Echinopsis subdenudatum sold at a local nursery. It requires filtered sun and well-drained soil to grow well. It will turn yellow under direct sun. Most Echniopsis prefers a heavier soil mixture. It has to reach the size of your fist in order to bloom for you. Growth rate is pretty fast and it needs a lot of water and bright light during the growing season. Water sparingly when it is resting.
Above right: Matthew1381's Echinopsis subdenudatum is blooming on 9 Nov 2006! Nice white flowers like our Keng Huay.
Below left and right: The peanut cactus Echinopsis chamaecereus is formerly known as Chamaecereus silverstrii. However, the locally available one has somewhat longer and narrower stems and matthew1381 suggests that it could be one of the hybrids. This cactus is HIGHLY recommended by matthew1381. There is a clump of peanut cactus at our Changi Airport and was blooming in late Oct. I really love its crimson red flowers.

Echinopsis calochlora is so common here that almost every Singaporean who grows cacti will definitely has this one in his possession. It is very prolific in producing offsets. Most Echinopsis do not flower well in Singapore as some demand a cool winter rest in order to spike except E. subdenudatum. Some don't flower well in cultivation too. They need heavier soil as compared to the other cacti: 60-70% soil vs. 50% soil.

Culture: Filtered sun and well drained soil. Very tolerant of a wide range of light and soil conditions.

6. Epiphyllum oxypetalum, Queen of the Night or Keng Huay (EASY)

Above left and right: The blossom of Epiphyllum oxypetalum taken by ladybird at 11:30 pm.

Epiphyllums are cacti. The word "Epiphyllum" in Greek means "upon the leaf" as it appears that its flowers are blooming on the leaves. They are not leaves but stems. Unlike cacti, epiphyllums do not have spines except for some hair bristles or tiny spines in the areoles. The white-flowered species is so common in Singapore that it has become a weed. A very beautiful one indeed! The flowers above were taken by Mona (ladybird) at 11:30 pm. There is another species known as Epiphyllum strictum with a more erect stem and a lesser branching habit. It is a day bloomer.

Culture: Filtered sun and well-drained soil with some organic compost though it is very tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions.

7. Gymnocalycium, Spider or Chin cactus (EASY)

Above left and right: Gymnocalycium baldianum is one of the very few red flowering cacti. It is strongly recommended for any beginners living in high rise apartments.
Middle left: Gymnocalycium ragonesii, courtesy from matthew1381. White flowered cacti are generally easier to grow and bloom in the tropics.
Middle right: Gymnocalycium horstii, courtesy from matthew1381.
Below left and right: Gymnocalycium horstii needs to be somewhat older before it can bloom for you. This flowering cactus was taken from a local nursery that was growing under neglect.

Above left and right: I am not sure if this is Gymnocalycium mihanovichii since it is not easy to identify them. This cactus is very easy to bloom but more free-flowering when subjected to some morning sun. Are you addicted to cactus now?
Below left and right: When G. mihanovichii is subjected to gamma rays, it will turn red. Since it lacks chlorophyll, this red cactus is grafted on a green cactus or root stock to provide food. In the tropics, the root stock is usually Hylocereus trigonus. The dragon fruit that we eat is actually Hylocereus undatus. Thus dragon fruit is the fruit of a cactus. Who dares to say he has not tasted cactus fruits at all? There are many cultivars of G. mihanovichii. Orange, yellow and pink are some of them.

Strongly recommended. A very rewarding cactus to grow. No direct sun is required. Good for high rise apartments. Gymnocalycium baldianum is of the very few cacti with red flowers and is easy to bloom about 1-1.5 years from seeds. No wonder it caused uproar when it was first introduced to Europe in 1930s. Flowers can be bigger than the cactus and is about 1-1.5 inches in diameter. As with most cacti flowers, they need sun to bloom well. I have seen this cactus spiking in a local nursery under bright light in neglect.

Culture: Bright light and well drained soil.

8. Hylocererus undatus, Dragon Fruit (EASY)

Above left and right: These pictures were taken in a dragon fruit farm in Singapore.

I am not sure if it will bear fruits for you when it is grown in a sunny balcony or common corridor. It grows very fast and needs lots of root space to grow well. Hylocereus trigonus is often used as a root stock in the tropics for cacti which is lacking in chlorophyll.

Culture: A very tough cactus. Almost hard to kill. Direct sun with lots of water. Use a heavier soil mix.

9. Lophophora williamsii, Button cactus (EASY)

Above left: Rows and rows of Lophophora williamsii.
Above right: Once it has reached maturity, it will bloom a few times per year.

This cactus is very slow growing and a four year old plant may only be an inch in diameter. However, it flowers freely once it is matured though the flowers are not spectacular. It has a long tap root just like the radish. As such, it needs a deeper pot than the other cacti. It is illegal to possess one in US but surprisingly not in UK. It is very poisonous and is used by priests in the olden days to predict the future by consuming carefully measured quantities of the sliced tap root. It is known as the peyote by the Red Indians.

Culture: Well-drained soil in a sunny position.

10. Mammillaria (AVERAGE)

Above left: The Old Lady Cactus, Mammillaria hahniana, is matthew1381's favourite cactus among the Mammillaria genus.
Above right: Mammillaria spinosissima.
Below left and right: Mammillaria bombycina.

"Mamma" means nipple in Latin. As such, they are also known as the nipple cactus as the tubercles on their body resemble nipples where spines arise. Mammillarias may be regarded as the hardiest and easiest among the cacti genera to grow in most literature but I think otherwise. It needs some time to be acclimatised to our climate before they can bloom. Some may not even bloom. Flowers appear in concentric circles near to the apex of the cactus. However in tropical Singapore, they do not flower as abundantly.

Culture: Well drained soil in a sunny location. Need to protect from rain.

11. Melocactus, Turk's Cap Cactus (EASY)

Above left and right: An easy to grow cactus in the tropics. Flowers, however are not showy.

Most of the library books have stated that Melocactus is very difficult to grow. It is rather misleading as these books were written in the temperate context. Melocactus, in general, is easy to grow in Singapore. Once the plant has reached maturity, it will stop growing and form a cap or cephalium at the apex where flowers or fruits will appear. The plant will flower quite frequently and you will have a lot of seeds to share with your friends. The cephalium will continue to grow taller and in some species can be as tall as the cactus, hence the common name Turk's Cap cactus.

Culture: Well drained soil in a sunny location. Water generously.

12. Opuntia, Prickly Pear (EASY/AVERAGE)

Above left: Opuntia cochenillifera is a very commonly grown cactus in Singapore and is even sold in the wet markets as a form of vegetable. It is said to have detoxification properties.
Above right: Bunny ears or Opuntia microdasys needs FULL sun to grow well.
Middle left: An alba form of Opuntia microdasys known as Opuntia microdasys albata is difficult to grow in the tropics.
Middle right: Opunita subulata is an average cactus to grow in highrise apartments.
Below left: Opuntia brasiliensis is very easy to grow in a sunny position.
Below right: Opunita monacantha variant is very sensitive to water. Grow it in a bright-lit position.

Not all opuntias are easy to grow. Opuntia microdasys is very prone to root rots and rain. Others include O. monacantha and O. subulata.

Culture: Well drained soil in a sunny location. Generally, Opuntia needs a very sunny location or their pads (i.e. stems) will etiolate which are feast to mealy bugs and other pests. Water generously during active growth.

13. Parodia magnificus (AVERAGE)

Above left and right: Parodia magnifus will bloom annually once it has reached maturity.

It needs to be of a considerable size before it will bloom for you. Maybe 5 years or more. After it has reached maturity, it will bloom for you annually 1-2 times per year.

Culture: Well drained soil in a sunny location. Need to protect from rain.

14. Pereskia corrugata, Desert Rose (EASY)

Above left, middle and right: It is a very ancient cactus and is one of the two cacti in the cactus family that has both leaves and spines. It has medicinal properties. The other cactus genus is Pereskiopsis.

This is a very ancient cactus. It is perhaps the only cactus that has leaves. Spines are present at the areoles. Even though this is a cactus, it does not have tissues to store water and thus has to be treated like any house plants that you have. The more established ones may be more drought resistant but for best results, do not let their soil dry out completely.

Culture: Any well-drained soil in a sunny location.