It's all about cash flows and cactii for this former professor of finance and avid collector!

Septuagenarian Professor Sampat Singh speaks as passionately about his cactii, as a 17-year-old would of his first date! The balconies and window sills of his flat at Natasha Enclave on NIBM road are home to around 300 cactii. Sitting in his favourite rocking chair he is busy with books and articles on cactii and visitors who want to see his collection. His wife, children and grandchildren completely support this passion. His teenaged granddaughter grafts the cactii for him, which he says, "is a very delicate job."

Singh is at his best when he speaks about his favourite companions - the Living Stone (Lithops), the Red Cap (Gymnocalycium) and the Sand Dollar (Astrophytum). A retired professor of Finance and Banking, his life is an interesting mix of balance sheets, cash flows and cactii. His love affair with the cactus is 55 years old. In 1950, when he was teaching at the Allahabad University, a neighbour gifted him a few cactii before shifting out. Little did Singh know then that this would be the beginning of a long-term relationship. He added to his collection of cactii, getting many from nurseries in Kalimpong that imported them from all over the world.

When Singh moved to Mumbai in 1970 his collection went with him, "The best part about these plants is that you can uproot them from their pots, wrap them up in newspapers and carry them with you. Also they can do without water for a month, so it's easy to leave them unattended at home when you are out of station."

He shifted to NIBM, Pune, with his family and cactii in 1984. Many of the larger cactii, which he was unable to house in his flat, are kept at the NIBM and Singh visits them regularly to make sure they are doing well. "A lot of people have asked me why cactus. I say for its aesthetic look. I find the form of the cactii very interesting and pleasing to the eye. And it's sheer joy to see my cactii flowering!"

Singh was a member of the Cactus Succulent Society; even today, he has members from the society visit him to feast their eyes on his collection and take back valuable information on cactii.

For those interested in growing cactii, here are a few tips from the expert:

• The cactus plant needs water only twice a week in summer, once a month in the rainy season and once a week in the winter season.
• You have to save your plant from direct sunlight and rain. Singh has carefully designed special enclosures for his plants to protect them.
• To grow cactii you need ¹/3 soil, ¹/3 cow manure, ¹/3 rough sand and two tablespoons of Sterameal.
• For the beginner he advises, "Don't buy too many varieties. Start with few, study them well and then add to the collection. You know you are successful with your cactii when you see them flowering," says Singh with a smile.

Shehnaz Chawla