The Cactus Collector
Thursday, February 18, 2016
For a while now, a range of quirky little plants has been taking most parts of the creative world by storm! After seeing cacti and succulents available for sale at several pop up markets and some of the more high end stores in Colombo, I decided to head over to Diyatha Uyana to have a conversation with Mr. Nimal Ramachandra, a lovely gentleman who has been collecting and growing them in Sri Lanka for decades.
Mr. Ramachandra's passion for cacti and succulents started young - he says that he was only a child when, inspired by his father who was a great horticulturist himself, he began collecting and growing his own plants. Over the years, he has used a number of methods to acquire new species — importing plants and seeds and even bringing some back from his travels — so that he now has over five hundred varieties of cacti at his nursery in Katunayake, some of which are well over twelve feet tall!
But it's his smaller plants that are available for sale at the weekend flower market in Diyatha Uyana, ranging from 50 rupees upwards.
If you're interested in purchasing a plant for yourself, Mr. Ramachandra will be at the flower show at Diyatha Uyana again on the 26th, 27th and 28th of February and every alternate weekend after. Anyone who wishes to contact him can do so by calling +94773143624.
34 comments
These cacti are beautiful! Love your images.
ReplyDeleteAvanti
xxx
Avantigarde.wordpress.com
They really are wonderful plants, aren't they? Thank you! <3
DeleteThey are all gorgeous!I would have a hard time picking one or two ;)
ReplyDeleteKalieta| Skattered Notes Blog
I try to pick just one whenever I go there, so I always have a reason to go back for more. ^^
DeleteTo hear stories about their passion towards something, making a living doing what they love, and doing it for decades! How Wonderful, and it really looks like the cacti and succulents are getting loved too (how beautiful!)
ReplyDeleteYour photos are admirable Minaali!
Such beautiful pictures :)
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Joanny
imachoccakeaholic.blogspot.co.uk
Minaali, THESE PHOTOS ARE JUST SO BEAUTIFUL! They all look splendid. The plants nursery from where Areeba bought her cactus, I went through the small collection, almost squealing with delight (but still didn't get one), though it wasn't even that big. I can't imagine how you'd have coped with so many of them. *insert hearts-eyed emojis here*
ReplyDeleteNoor | Noor's Place
There's something very refreshing about seeing cacti lined up all in a row. I can only imagine what a 12 foot cactus must look like, wow!
ReplyDeleteGabrielle | A Glass Of Ice
x
I love cactus!
ReplyDeletehttp://silkypearl.com/
This post makes me so happy
ReplyDeleteThese cactus are so beautiful, I would have such a hard time choosing what to get
xx
Garland Girl
I do adore little succulents! Beautiful images and writing :)
ReplyDelete--Corin
wonderlandpaths.blogspot.com
I love succulents too, I dream a huge collection :D
ReplyDeletexx Elisa
Francine’s Place | Diy and Lifestyle Blog
Instagram | Facebook | Bloglovin | Pinterest
asdfghjkl they're so adorable!! I wish I were around so that I could buy a few! My dorm room needs some life in it :P But like, low maintenance life -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey's
ReplyDeleteI am such a fan of succulents. I know that they have become quite trendy as of late but I totally understand why as there is just something so aesthetically pleasing about these little guys and they are so much easier to care for then other plants. Mr. Ramachandra sounds like such an interesting person as well and it is so nice to read about someone with such a love for something!
ReplyDeleteRae | Love from Berlin
I adored this post! Such gorgeous photography and I'm (more) than a little in love with cacti so it was wonderful to read the story of the cacti collector. All the sweet <3
ReplyDeleteSophie | soinspo xo
HOLYCRAPPPP! This place is just so beautiful! If I ever get to a place like this, I'll go crazy!! Cactuses here in my city are v hard to find!
ReplyDeletexo,
Not Your Type Blog
You're photography is amazing!! This place looks soo cool aswell - I have been obsessing over decorating my room with green plants :)
ReplyDeleteKathy xx
www.alongcamekathy.blogspot.com
This post has tapped the inner cactus lover in me! Will get more cactus when we visit the cactus place near us.
ReplyDeleteAngelie // Pangasinan Travel Diary 2016: Our Lady of Manaoag and San Fabian Beach
Cacti are my favourites! They're so aesthetically pleasing to look at.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Hannie Arden from missingwanderer.org.
Wow his collection is impressive, but these smaller cacti and succulents are the cutest! I'm not in the area, but if i were, I'd totally visit! So adorable!
ReplyDelete-Lily from With Love Lily Rose
aww cute collection!
ReplyDeleteeven though it's the total hype these days to put plants in your room, i'm so for it. really want to get some mini succulents for my room too cause they're just so cute! plus they're low maintenance :D
http://www.fionnac.com
I just came across your blog and you write really well. These are really cute cacti!
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Deepti xx
I am such a cacti lover, they're so cute and green and small! Mr. Ramachandra sounds like a very nice man and I love your photos!
ReplyDeletewww.elizabethangelia.blogspot.com
They all look amazing, I love cacti! I really need to get some more. Love your photos!
ReplyDeleteThe Velvet Black | UK Style & Beauty Blog
Oh my god. They look so cute! I want them all!
ReplyDeleteLove, Richel. | Richel Goes Places
Your posting is making me happy. Because succulents are such a trend nowadays and just same as people, I do adore them. They're little and cute and sometimes make my mood up. You also have lovely photos. Thanks for sharing this posting! xx
ReplyDeleteDayu | PR.JA
All the cacti are just beautiful! I want one (or more) for myself--especially the ones with flowers. Been scrolling through your blog for some time now and you take lovely photos!
ReplyDeleteCaffeine Rush
I wish we had such cute flower markets nearby <3
ReplyDeleteLove the shots, they're gorgeous!
Lovely shots! I've always been a fan of cacti, I've collected them since I was a kid. These photos make me so happy :)
ReplyDeletewww.miriamwoodburnblog.co.uk
I actually collect cacti as well! Ever since I was a kid, my home has been filled with them in the garden! They are so beautiful...and prickly! Hehe <3
ReplyDeletexx Bash | go say H E Y B A S H
wow, thats soo cool! I' love to have a collection like this
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BLOG | TAISLANY
These pictures are so beautiful and cute. These types of succulents are very popular here in southern California. I went through a brief obsession with them but they were a lot harder to take care of than I thought they would be. I didn't know they were native to Sri Lanka as well!
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ReplyDeleteThank You !!!
ReplyDeleteVisit Polwatta Plant Nursery
Plant Nursery In Colombo SriLanka