CACTUS GROWING IN FLORIDA. 



535 



according to their requirements at the various stages of 

 growth, affords the most favorable conditions for the 

 development of perfect specimens. The growing sea- 

 son succeeds immediately that of flowering, and so it 

 follows that, if the plants require potting and trimming, 

 those operations must receive attention as soon as pos- 

 sible after the flowers are shed. P'eat, sand, leaf- 

 mould, and rich loam, in equal parts, form a desirable 

 compost for potting. A position near the glass in a 

 house where a temperature of about seventy degrees 

 and a humid atmosphere can be maintained will now 

 be best for the plants. Use the syringe freely after 

 bright days, and when the plants get started, keep the 

 roots moist until the growth has attained completion. 

 This usually occurs about the middle of July, after 

 which a lower temperature, dry atmosphere, full expo- 

 sure to sunshine with free circulation of air, and a 

 somewhat drier state at the roots, will promote that 

 maturity of the new material which is so essential to 

 the production of a good display of flowers. In fall, 

 say about October, it will be necessary to return the 

 plants to a growing temperature and atmosphere, in 

 order to develop the flowers, and it will be found ad- 

 vantageous to curtail the moisture again, when the buds 

 are fully formed. 



The epiphyllums grow well on their own roots, but 

 they are only suited for cultivation in small pots to be 

 used as an edging in arrangements of larger plants, or 

 for baskets, when so treated. The drooping character 



of the branches renders them very desirable plants for 

 hanging baskets. The cuttings (consisting of pieces 

 from four to six inches in length, of the branches) strike 

 root freely at any season of the year if they are inserted 

 in sandy soil, placed in a warm house and kept moder- 

 ately dry. When they are rooted and show signs of 

 commencing growth, they may be potted in the com- 

 post already advised. Plants intended for baskets 

 should be allowed to reach a fair size in pots previous 

 to being transferred to the former, and if they are after- 

 wards submitted to the conditions essential to growth, 

 their progress will be all the more satisfactory to the 

 cultivator. 



More stately specimens are obtained by grafting on 

 stocks of Ccreits spi'ttosissi>//i/s, C. (oliihi-iiih , Pcreskia 

 BL'o, or P. aculeata. The last named plant undoubt- 

 edly forms the most serviceable stock. In addition to 

 the ordinary methods of forming standards and pyra- 

 mids, some growers train the stock to a rafter, and 

 having reached the desired height, it is then pruned 

 and induced to break simultaneously at a series of 

 points along its entire length. Scions are inserted in 

 the branches thus obtained, and in a remarkably short 

 time the rafter supports an extensive mass of epiphyl- 

 lums, which, in such a position, yield flowers in un- 

 usual abundance. 



Seeds are employed for propagation only when it is 

 desirable to obtain new hybrids or varieties. 



C. McMULLAN. 



CACTUS GROWING IN FLORIDA. 



WING to our comparative ex- 

 emption from severe frosts, 

 cactuses are much more easily 

 grown here than at the north. 

 Yet many of the choicest varie- 

 ties must have protection from 

 sun and rain in summer and 

 frost in winter. A notable ex- 

 ception to the first part is Per- 

 eskia aaikata. Most people who are familiar with 

 the odd forms and leafless stems of the cactuses 

 common in cultivation would fail to recognize this 

 plant as a member of the family. It is a strong, 

 vigorous grower, of climbing habit ; but the most 

 marked peculiarity is the fact that it is abundantly 

 supplied with true leaves. Owing to the size, shape 

 and general resemblance of these leaves, the plant 

 has received the name of "Lemon vine" in South 

 Florida, where it is quite common. 



It blooms profusely, the flowers being borne in dense 

 clusters on the ends of short branchlets, which start 

 from the axil of each leaf along the stems. In appear- 

 ance they closely resemble small single roses, except 



that they are cup-shaped, not openmg out flat, as is usual 

 with single roses. The color is white, not the dead white 

 of snow, but a clear, waxen, almost translucent white. 

 Like a large part of the cactus family, the blossoms of 

 the pereskia are very fugacious, opening in the morning 

 and closing before night. They have but little fragrance 

 — that of a single blossom would hardly be noticeable ; 

 but when a large plant is in full bloom there is diffused 

 through the air a mild but pleasant perfume. In a 

 frostless climate this would be one of the most satisfac- 

 tory climbers that could be grown. It is evergreen, a 

 strong, vigorous grower, blooms freely, and will stand 

 more drouth than anything else except a cactus, and on 

 ordinarily dry soil does not suffer from the excessive 

 moisture of our rainy season. 



The only drawback to its cultivation in this state is its 

 susceptibility to frost. When nearly dormant the old 

 stems will stand several degrees of frost without serious 

 injury, but if growing freely, they will be killed to the 

 ground at from 26° to 28° above zero. Yet if the roots 

 and lower part of the stem are well banked up with earth 

 in the fall, the former will survive a severe freeze, sprout 

 quickly on the return of warm weather, and make a lux- 

 uriant growth. 



In contrast to the pereskia, which grows so well in 



