Dr. Bhagwan Prasad Saxena, popularly known as the cactus man, has emerged as a pioneer of horticulture and floriculture societies in India. He developed this peculiar fascination for the thorny species which later on turned into his identity.
At 83, Dr. Saxena and his wife Mrs. Beena Saxena parent over 1500 cacti and hundreds of other flowering plants and trees that grow in their very own Cactus House in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. This is also the largest succulent collection in the country.
Though a zoologist, Dr. Saxena has always had an affinity for plants and grew a lot of them on his own with a little help from his wife before being introduced to Cactus. But once he knew the species, he fell completely in love with it. He joined the local Deshbandhu College as a teacher in 1960 and became so passionate about cacti that he used to spend his entire salary on buying plants for Cactus House – his house that he has fondly named after the species. Today his collection boasts of several plants from American and African continents, even some typical Indian varieties.
“Why I love cactus will have a very partial answer. You see parents love all their kids but they have a special soft spot for those with better qualities and I think that is the reason why I fell for it,” he says fondly.
After graduating from Delhi University, Dr.Saxena went to the US and studied nine courses from different universities. His hobby took a new turn when he visited Saguaro National Monument, a natural park of cacti and other succulents spread across 200 miles. There he even stayed with former US President Ronald Wilson Reagan for two days during a camp in 1964 for sharing his fascination. Today he has the most exquisite varieties of cacti even the rare and endangered ones with medicinal properties from all over the world.
“Many cacti are natural medicines, but people are not aware of this. The sad part is that India is not undertaking much research in this field. I have a plant that can heal a fractured bone in 15 days as compared to medicines that will do it in 30 days and also costs a lot,” he added.
He has been researching the plant’s medicinal values for many years and doing it extensively post-retirement. One of the plants in his collection has the potency to cure the killer Hepatitis B. Two patients who took seeds of this particular cactus have since been fully cured. Similarly, he talks about plants that dissolve kidney stones overnight and much more.
What’s more to the cactus is that they also give colorful flowers that could bloom and stay intact till days. All three floors of his house have terraces, which have a large variety of cactus plants that sometimes bear these flowers.
“Cactus flowers are wonderful. They are colorful and very unusual,” he exclaims.
Over the years, Dr, Saxena has been known as an expert on the species in the country. To pass on the legacy he has founded several societies such as – Indian Society of Cacti Succulents and also the Noida floriculture society, among many others.
“I set up the Indian Society of Cacti Succulents in 1983 to spread awareness about cacti, their healing properties, and their other unique virtues. Cacti succulents have a huge business potential as they can be used to make medicines with minimal investment,” said Saxena, who has helped set up many cacti parks including the one in the Botanical Garden in Noida.
Mrs.Beena Saxena, who is now 74 has been the constant support for the professor’s ventures. She holds a Master’s and served in the government for over 15 years till she dedicated herself completely towards her family and of course the plants. The couple has three children and the eldest son stays with them along with his wife. What’s shocking is that they haven’t ever hired help to take care of the plants.
“Till date, we haven’t hired anyone as these days they charge a lot and also we have to watch them constantly. We have quite a rare variety and we can’t risk losing them. We are managing somehow on our own. Even my kids are very fond of plants like us and they come in handy,” Mrs. Saxena said.
The growing pollution in New Delhi has had an adverse effect on the magnificent collection of this Cactus House.
“I literally bathe the plants with water every day to wash away the pollutants that might have stuck to its surface. It still not enough I know but that’s the only option we have,” Beena Ji said.
The Professor and his wife have been arranging and attending numerous cacti, plant, and flower exhibitions across Delhi, India, and abroad. For his expertise, Dr. Saxena has also served as the judge in many of them.
Their arms are wide open to every keen visitor. If you are one of them, look for Cactus House in Sector 30 in Noida. You are welcome.