FAMOUS CACTUS GARDENS 
27 
heat for rapid growth. Some kinds will blossom during the winter while the snow is 
lying on the ground outside. In the house or green house plants may be purchased and 
started at any time except during long seasons of dark weather. In the garden usually, 
early spring planting is best. 
Watering is something that no set rules can be given for. The closest to a set rule 
that can be given is to water well whenever the soil gets nearly dry and do not repeat 
until it is nearly dry again. This may mean twice a day or not for several weeks. Grow¬ 
ing plants need much more water than resting ones. 
Plants in porous pots dry out much faster than plants in the ground and small pots 
faster than large ones. A playful sprinkling does no good. Give them plenty at a time. 
The most difficult time is when plants are first planted. Then there is great danger in 
over watering until the plants have taken root and started to grow. However, a little 
moisture is necessary to induce root growth. When plants are resting, slacken off on 
the water supply. The spines should be wet only enough to keep the dust washed off 
as frequent moistening will ruin the brilliant spine colors. 
A properly made soil mixture should feed the plants for a year without additional 
fertilizer. In the garden, most any form of fertilizer is good. For potted plants, many 
have had excellent success with Pokon. This may be instantly dissolved in water and 
applied to the potted plants without any muss, fuss or odor. It is best to use it weaker 
and more frequently than the directions indicate. 
We are great believers in the superiority of seedling or nursery grown plants over 
collected plants. They are more nearly perfect and will grow much more readily than 
collected plants. Then, too, though it seems strange, many of our native collected species 
are some of the hardest to grow. 
Many types that are difficult to grow on their own roots do magnificently when 
grafted. A great many of the smaller and weaker types grow much larger when grafted 
on strong species. Grafting is often done for speed in propagation, as many plants that 
do not branch freely, produce an abundance of branches for cuttings or grafting when 
grafted. It is one of the best methods of propagating cristates. Trailing types such as 
the Rat Tail and Christmas Cactus are more beautiful when grafted on standards. 
The majority of cactus are tender to frosts reaching below 25 degrees Fahrenheit. 
We list in another place, a number of hardy kinds that naturally grow where it gets 
very cold. We cannot guarantee success with them owing to the changed conditions of 
soil, moisture and other elements. We believe, however, that by planting on mounded 
beds in the early spring plants will be well rooted by fall, and many will winter success¬ 
fully if covered in the autumn. For covering, we suggest, first a layer of leaves or dry 
straw, then a waterproof covering such as tar paper to turn the rain and then top off 
with another layer of mulch. 
Every gardener of any class of plants soon gets acquainted with a host of pests. 
Cactus are sometimes bothered with one called “the garden or root knot nematode.” 
This is a microscopic worm from the tropics. It burrows into the roots and lives off the 
juices of the plant. At the points of infestation, the roots swell into knots which event¬ 
ually rot. When this pest is found, wash off the roots with a strong spray of water, cut 
them off at the base of the plant, dry the cut surface for a few days and re-root in a 
box of sand set in a warm place. Be sure to burn up the infested roots. This pest is 
prevalent in the gardens in the milder portions of our country and in green houses 
everywhere. It is claimed that severe winter freezing kills it off in the northern gar¬ 
dens. In mild climates, great care must be taken to secure un-infested potting soil. If 
all available soil is suspected, sterilize by heating to 130 degrees or more and holding 
at this temperature for an hour. Small lots of soil may be treated by baking in an oven. 
