HOW TO GROW CACTI 
‘Cacti cannot be grown in pure sand as is generally believed. 
Even our deserts are rich in leafmold and only require rain 
to bring forth vegetation. Feed your cacti or they will starve. 
A good soil mixture is: one-third garden loam, one-third 
leafmold, and one-third coarse sand (not beach sand). To 
this may be added poultry charcoal, old mortar (crushed), 
and weil  de- 
composed man- 
ure (for seed- 
lings and = for 
such types as 
EpiphylIlums, 
use more ferti- 
iz ere ands a 
icine pe smi 
ture). Water 
freely during 
the growing 
SESS gy season, which 
< g can be observed 
: VA < DECOMPOSED ROCK PY new spines, 
ra new wcol, or a 
Y | 
mz change in the 
H shade of green. 
YY The soil must 
y never remain 
Yj soggy. Water 
g thoroughly. .and 
then allow the 
plant to -.be- 
come-. almost 
501; dry. The soil 
Soh *— COARSE GRAVEL should be. so 

a porcus that the 
at <— BROKEN POTS water will drain 
a through the 
soil within a minute. If the ‘water remains on top of the 
soil, then there is not enough sand and leafmold and the 
mixture is said to be too heavy. Pots should have drainage 
in the bottom or side. Be sure pots are not too large or the 
soil may retain too much moisture. Repot. every. other year 
to avoid root mealy bugs. Keep ants and sow bugs from en- 
tering through the hole in the bottom of the pot. ; 




Apartment house succulent garden 
Give the plants as much light as possible without being in 
full summer sun. Lath placed two inches apart will prevent 
sunburn. A north window is not suitable. 
Piants may be rooted in damp sand during warm weather. 
In setting plants out of doors be sure to protect them from 
direct sun until they become accustomed to the change. Too 
much sun will turn some species yellow. After the growing 
season, cacti, like most plants, need a rest period when they 
may be kept in an airy, cool cellar or in the attic where the 
temperature does not go below 40 degrees F. 
