HOW TO GROW CACTUS FROM SEEDS 
Cactus are easily grown from seeds if one understands their few simple requirements. 
Cultivated specimens may be grown free of the scars and blemishes usually found on 
desert collected specimens. It is to be emphasized that most cactus grow in spite of desert 
conditions and not because of them. Probably the only reason they are not found in re¬ 
gions where other plants grow luxuriantly is that they are smothered during the seedling 
stages by more rapid growing vegetation. Under glasshouse and out-of-doors in this 
locality most cactus need as much water during the growing season as garden flowers and 
vegetables, in order to secure the maximum growth. 
TIME TO PLANT—Cactus seeds may be planted throughout the spring, summer and 
fall months without artificial heat within the glasshouse or other indoor situations. They 
may be grown in the winter also if artificial heat is provided. 
TEMPERATLIRE—A temperature of 70° to 90° F. seems best for most kinds, but 
higher temperatures in the glasshouse do not seem to deter germination if they are kept 
moist. Some species from the high Andes of South America like a lower temperature and 
do not seem to be harmed by the cold night temperatures. 
SOIL—Sift equal parts sand or decomposed granite, well-rotted leaf-mold or brown 
peat and friable garden loam through a quarter inch screen into seed container, which 
should be perforated at the bottom. Place container into a pan of water until the soil is 
moist on top; sow seeds rather thickly if desired as they will not become crowded until it 
is time to transplant. Cover seeds with coarse sand or gravel from which the finer particles 
have been screened through screen (1/16 inch mesh) and from which the coarser particles 
have been removed by a screen of ]/ 4 inch mesh. This covering seems bulky for the tiny 
seeds, but it allows the very necessary ventilation which is often obstructed by using fine 
sand. It keeps the top of the soil moist enough for germination and gives the delicate 
roots the protection they need at that stage of development. The coarse covering also seems 
to partially control the growth of Algae and accompanying '’damping-off” fungus which is 
fatal to seedlings. Semesan or other fungicides may be used to control fungi. Using the 
above covering it is not necessary to cover the seed container with a glass pane and the 
container may be watered with a light sprinkler from above instead of soaking in a pan 
as has been previously recommended. This latter method causes the soluble soil solutions 
to form a crust on top of the soil which is conductive to the growth of the above mentioned 
Algae and fungus. 
TRANSPLANTING—Seedlings may be transplanted soon after the first spines appear 
into the same soil mixture used for sowing seed, or they may be left for several months 
until the globular forms are y 4 inch or more in diameter or the columnar types becomes y 4 
to 1 inch high. From this size on they usually adopt characteristic spine formation and 
will respond to frequent transplantings of every three to six months. After the second or 
third transplanting, small amounts of well-rotted manure or other fertilizer may be used 
in the soil to force growth. Weak solutions of liquid manure or soluble commercial ferti¬ 
lizers may also be used. Fertilizers must be used sparingly with slow growing types, but 
may be applied more profusely to Cereus and other fast growing species. 
Valuable information relative to the growing of seedlings and mature specimens may 
be gleaned from the pages of the monthly journal of the Cactus and Succulent Society of 
America, to which every cactus lover should subscribe—the cost of which is $3.00 per 
year. We will be pleased to forward your subscription and membership to the Society. 
