26 Care of a bowl arrangement 
A correctly arranged bowl consists of a few rooted seedlings or 
cuttings of related cacti that thrive with shallow root systems and 
that require a like amount of water. Reliable dealers will furnish a 
selection of inexpensive plants for this purpose, and they need not 
be the rare varieties. 
In preparing the bowl for planting, it should be filled one-third 
of its depth with broken pots or coarse gravel. Cover this with a 
mixture of good, loose loam or a selected soil for a particular species. 
This soil may be a little heavier than is used in large pots because 
shallow dishes dry out much faster. After the plants are arranged, 
sprinkle the top with charcoal or decomposed granite and place a 
few colorful, jagged rocks to serve as a background and to set off 
the plants. 
Water as soon as the soil becomes almost dry. Fill the bowl with 
water, but do not pour the water directly on the plants, although an 
occasional syringing on warm days keeps them fresh and clean. Never 
syringe a plant on a damp day or while the sun is on it. 
Never allow the soil to become soggy. Bowls may be placed on 
the living-room table for decorative effect, but during the sunny 
hours they should be placed so as to absorb the sun’s rays. As the 

These plantings must be considered of short duration although it is 
surprising the amount of abuse they will stand. 
