My first week of my internship at StratComm has been a little slow, but I have been able to write a few pieces for its publication Bloom. Bloom in an annual magazine that is published during the Ghana Garden and Flower show, an event that StratComm hosts. One of the pieces I wrote is “How to Cultivate a Desert Darden: All About Succulents.”

Due to Ghana’s tropical climate it can be a difficult process cultivating a desert garden. But, what many people do not know is desert plants can be found and flourish in various types of climates such as seaside cliffs, frozen mountain conditions, and high in tropical jungle trees. However, due to the amount of rainfall that Ghana receives, Ghanaians have to pay close attention to their desert plants in order for the garden to survive and thrive.

Generally, a desert garden consists of succulents, which are mostly grown in dry weather. Succulents have special cells that absorb and store water during rainfall then slowly release the water when it is dry. Since Ghana receives heavy rainfall throughout the year, succulents tend to be over watered, but there are some tips and tricks to cultivating a desert garden in the tropics.

There is a perception surrounding succulents that the plants do not need to be watered, when in fact rainfall can be helpful with necessary processes such as photosynthesis. Rainfall can dissolve minerals, which washes away dust particles that prohibits sun exposure. It will also dilute chemicals from tap water that have built up in the soil, and provide necessary nutrients, such as nitrogen, for growth.

Although some rainfall is beneficial, overwatering succulents and leaving the plants in soggy soil can cause the roots to rot. In order to prevent this, it is crucial to use coarse soil, which can enhance drainage, increase evaporation, and provide dryer conditions that succulents love. Simply adding pebbles to a soil mixture can help with this process. When potting the succulents, make sure the pot has proper drainage at the bottom. The top half of a recycled plastic water bottle is a good resource for this.

To further guarantee successful succulent growth, placing the plants on a slope where the water will drain into a gutter is an elemental part to preventing soggy roots. When there is consistent heavy rainfall place an elevated clear plastic tarp over the garden. This will allow the plants to still collect necessary sunlight but not display the effects of overwatering. Using a sturdy umbrella will also do the trick.

Although living in the tropics can be a difficult place to find naturally growing succulents, if all of these tips are followed, cultivating a desert garden should be a fun and relatively easy activity.