The succulents went silent
Just a few years ago, succulents were the horticultural world's kings. Now, they're in the backseat, unceremoniously dethroned by the new royalties- the notorious aroids. What happened? In a nutshell: Aroids and COVID-19. But we are getting ahead of ourselves. In the years prior, up to 2019, succulents were the darlings of collectors and a sure money-in-the-bank for the great majority of growers. Everybody were hooked, from the most rabid squirrels to the greenhorns, from interior designers to casual shoppers who only chanced upon some whilst doing their rounds around the metro. Succulents are an informal group, encompassing an impressive range of families from the mighty Cactaceae to the ubiquitous Crassulaceae and Euphorbiaceae to the curious stapeliads from the family Apocynaceae , to specialized Aizoaceae . And then there are the caudiciforms and the honorary succulents from otherwise non-succulent families, such as in those of the Asparagaceae , Bromeliaceae , Gesneriace