the stomata in the leaves stay shut during the day

This is a story about succulents, teaching methods, and getting outside when you can.  

Last week when we walked outside on rounds at work (our patients are often in 3 or 4 different buildings - which I love), we noticed the landscaping people had added a bunch of succulents to some flower beds.  

Which triggered Brice to recall a lecture from his favorite class, taught by Dr. Craig Martin at KU, who did not use PowerPoint presentations, favoring colored chalk and a blackboard to illustrate his points.

Which clearly has merit, given that he recalled in detail the fact that succulents are CAM plants and have a unique method of photosynthesis that allows them to survive with very little water.  

He remembered that the stomata in the leaves stay shut during the day when it's so hot, but open at night to take in carbon dioxide.  Which is a good reason to choose them for your hot/sunny areas in Kansas.

Although I favor them for their beauty and wide array of colors and shapes. 

 
There will be more updates on the succulent pots as we move through the summer.

If Brice shares more of the science of succulents with me the next time we work together, I will of course pass that on as well.  

Comments

[Debbie J]

Your pots of succulents are so beautiful. I love the variety of plants you used in each one.

[jacki long]

So great, I love succulents and now my daughter loves them too.

[carol]

Jacki: they are just so amazing. So beautiful and no showy flowers at all. For the most part anyway. Just all the shades of green.

[carol]

Debbie: thank you! While we have no way number of varieties they do in California, we do pretty well for Kansas. I think they have just gotten so popular everywhere.