West Coast Cactus + Succulent Scene

Adam Baker – Baker Succs

I remember the first time I saw an Astrophytum asterias cv. Super Kabuto and I had to look it up. I thought the patterns were painted on. That is how foreign and perfect they looked to me!
Adam Baker and his daughter in his greenhouse surrounded by cacti.

Tell us a little about yourself, and how you got into growing cacti and succulents.

I am a father and a husband before anything else. A software developer by trade and in the technology field for almost two decades. Cacti and succulents only became part of my life in the last 6 years as I discovered the unique plants at my in-law’s house in West Covina. Since then, I have devoted a good amount of the little free time one has left with a toddler, to learning, caring for, and growing my collection. As I started to learn about and fall in love with each genus, one kept growing and that was Astrophytum.

What is it about astrophytum that intrigues you the most?

Before seeing my first Astrophytum I had not seen anything like them before… Most people… even before really knowing about cacti.. have seen what a cactus looks like. But Astrophytum is one of those genera that just look alien, not of this world. I remember the first time I saw an Astrophytum asterias cv. Super Kabuto and I had to look it up… I thought the patterns were painted on. That is how foreign and perfect they looked to me!

What are some challenges you have encountered on your journey as a grower?

Honestly, I deal with the same basic challenges as anyone. Dealing with pest, weather, too much light, too little light etc. There is one challenge that many seem to not mention, and that is time. Time is probably the biggest challenge. Cacti are very slow growing compared to most other plants and when you have hundreds of them, they take a lot of your time to care for! I have learned to be methodical with care and use the time I do have with them to inspect and care for them.

How has BakerSuccs been received into the overall C&S community?

Its interesting to be asked to evaluate oneself but I think almost everyone is very welcoming of me. I try to come at everything with a tinge of humor because at the end of the day this is an extremely fun hobby full of great interesting people. It feels like the community has a secret, we all understand once you have discovered cactus and succulents there’s really no going back its like a whole new world is opened up! I feel as though I am part of the community and I try to share everything I know to help contribute and pay it forward!

What's in the near future for your and your business?

I still don’t consider my “brand” a business. It is still a hobby to me even though I have a website and a logo annnnnd customers LOL. BUT I would like to one day own a much larger greenhouse so I can expand my operation. My current greenhouse is 6X8ft and its bursting at the seams. My wife purchased it for me over a year ago and its really what kickstarted everything I do today but I have already outgrown it. I’ll keep working toward that goal but until then I will continue to have fun and grow!

Logo spelling the word Atomkinder in a handwritten / runic style similar to tree branches.

West Coast Cactus + Succulent Scene

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