Succulent country
July 8, 2006 | 12:00am
Succulentophile is giving way this week to this article by Joey de Castro.
About a month ago, I got the opportunity of a lifetime; one of my succulent-selling sukis in Benguet offered me and my family an overnight stay at her cactus farm. Ever since I first saw her place I had always wanted to stay there, especially in that little cottage on the property that was then occupied by her niece. The lady’s name is Estella Kedit, cactus grower extraordinaire, and for this opportunity I shall always be grateful.
One may recall an article I wrote sometime last year called "Love Among the Thorns," which featured a wedding on a cactus farm. Well, this farm is it. Devoid of the usual embellishments of a wedding venue, this place is absolute heaven to me. The quiet, the clean air and the cool weather… Even my wife (she can be picky at times) and son enjoyed our stay, if the picture of Jaime playing among the cacti is any indication.
In spite of having found a little slice of heaven, I will not be so selfish as to deny other succulentophiles the opportunity to stay there as well. Estella is actually willing to accommodate other hobbyists and buyers who would like to rent her "Little House on the Prairie," as it were. Accommodations are, to be kind, basic, so don’t go looking for a shower, or a tiled bathroom floor, or other such amenities. Prepare to bathe in mountain-sourced water with matching hose directly mounted to the container. The main reason for your being there is to be among her beautiful plants which, by the way, are for sale.
A lot can be learned from her techniques, but prepare yourself for a shock. Her methods are anything but textbook. For example, remember the one about growing cactus in a dry environment? Some of her plants are practically waterlogged, but still thriving! There is also the rule for good air circulation in as arid an atmosphere as possible, but she’s got plants in a totally enclosed space in 100 percent humidity! If anything, her methods scream out, "Don’t believe everything you read."
Her collection is varied, but what stands out is her Euphorbia milii varieties, which she imports from Bangkok. Apparently these plants are hot sellers both here and abroad, and she has rows and rows of it, ready for the market.
But commercial value aside, I have found my fulfillment in just being among her glorious collection. It was just an overnight adventure but until now I can still smell the cool air and see the almost kaleidoscopic vista of Estella’s garden. And that, for me, is priceless.
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