The Nine Center Rama 9 Hosts Cactus by My Side with Over 50,000 Baht Prizes
The Nine Center Rama 9 hosts the Cactus by my side event, featuring over 100 shops, a plant competition, and workshops for succulent lovers.
The Nine Center Rama 9, a shopping centre affiliated with MBK, in collaboration with the Cactus and Succulent Club of Thailand and the Cactus and Succulent Society of Thailand, is hosting the "Cactus by my side" event to gather cactus and succulent lovers, from beginners to avid collectors. The highlight of the event is a multi-species cactus and succulent competition for cash and trophies with a total value of over 50,000 baht.
Shop for plants and equipment all in one place
The event features over 100 shops selling cacti, succulents, and small ornamental plants at affordable prices. In addition to the plants themselves, there are booths selling decorative accessories, cultivation equipment, and various types of pots, allowing visitors to purchase everything they need in a single visit.
Leading breeders and farmers are participating to share their cultivation, breeding, and plant care techniques with interested attendees amidst a shaded atmosphere.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Event Name | Cactus by my side |
| Venue | The Nine Center Rama 9 |
| Organisers | The Nine Center Rama 9 in collaboration with the Cactus and Succulent Club of Thailand and the Cactus and Succulent Society of Thailand |
| Competition | Cash and trophies with a total value of over 50,000 baht |
| Shops | Over 100 shops |
| Plant Prices | From tens of baht to hundreds of thousands of baht, depending on rarity and beauty |
| Activities | Cactus decoration workshop |
Why cacti remain endlessly popular
Cacti belong to the Cactaceae family and are charming due to their unusual shapes and beautiful colours. New species are also continuously being developed, making them popular plants in every era. They are easy to care for, drought-resistant, and use little water, making them suitable for people with limited space, such as those living in a condominium or those who want to decorate their desks.
Some people also turn this into a supplementary income and believe they are auspicious plants that help enhance luck in work and finances. The species popular among Thais include Gymnocalycium, which is known for its brightly coloured variegation; Mammillaria, such as the feather cactus, which flowers easily and has soft spines; Astrophytum, which has geometric shapes; and the golden barrel cactus, which has a beautiful round shape with golden spines.
Voices from garden owners and attendees
The owners of Nat & Aek Garden, who participate in this event every year, brought competition-grade Mihanovichii and Special Color variegated Gymnocalycium for viewing. Prices range from tens of baht to hundreds of thousands of baht. The garden owners explained that Thailand's hot and humid weather is suitable for crossbreeding, resulting in beautiful skin, fast growth, and strong plants, with the colours being especially vibrant in the summer. Meanwhile, spineless cacti are popular with Chinese and Taiwanese customers because they are believed to be auspicious plants.
The owner of Tha Maka Garden in Kanchanaburi province brought desert roses and cacti to the event. The highlight is the rare purple-flowered desert rose, which has attracted interest from both Thais and foreigners. Prices start at 120 baht and go up to tens of thousands of baht. Desert roses are easy to care for, similar to cacti, requiring watering once or twice a week. They prefer sunlight and hot, humid conditions, and there is a market for them both domestically and for export to Europe.
Attendees also had the opportunity to try a cactus decoration workshop, which helps promote relaxation and concentration. Ms. Atchara Saneha, who attends the event every year, shared that she enjoys arranging pots because it helps calm the mind, and this activity provides inspiration while effectively relieving work-related stress.
Who this news is of interest to
This event is suitable for plant lovers looking for exotic new species, beginners who want direct advice from garden owners, and families seeking a relaxing workshop activity in the middle of the city. As for event organisers and shopping centre executives, they can look at this as an example of building a community of hobbyists who return to the event every year.