26 THE FANTASTIC CLAN 



less than a fourth-Inch long. The latter are arranged in 

 such manner as to resemble a small Insect, and have thick 

 bulbous bases. Each slender trunk Is supported by a central 

 woody core. There Is a fleshy root a foot or so below the 

 ground, weighing fifty to a hundred pounds, which acts as a 

 reservoir for water and food, so that the Greggii blossoms 

 every year, rain or no rain. The flowers are from seven to 

 ten inches long and about six Inches across, showing a beauti- 

 ful combination of coloring, a background of soft waxy white 

 shading Into pale lavender in the forty or more petals, with 

 touches of pink and tan In the sepals, forming into a cornu- 

 copia. The stamens form a corona extending beyond the 

 petals. The fragrance Is delightfully spicy, strong, and 

 persistent; the plants blossom only one night each year, gen- 

 erally in the latter part of June. This most beautiful of all 

 the cacti in our Southwest usually grows In the lee of a 

 creosote or other desert shrub In sandy loam. 



How to grow 



Grow plants from seed in pots or flats, in sandy loam with 

 partial shade, or transplant without Injuring the large fleshy 

 root, setting the top of the root about a foot below the 

 surface in loamy soil in the protection of shrubs; mature 

 plants will blossom within two years of transplanting. 

 Water well during the growing season. In dry weather about 

 once a month. Do not cultivate. Plants grow out of doors 

 or Indoors and will endure a temperature of twenty-five de- 

 grees below freezing without Injury. In localities where 

 the winter weather Is colder than this the plants must be 

 protected or grown under glass. 



