
6 THE STORY OF CACTUS 

Another way to root cuttings is to “layer them”, that is, to lay them on their 
side on good soil. This way the roots will come out of the bottom areoles 
and new shoots will come out. We had a Trichocereus spachianus which 
broke off about eighteen inches from the top. This top we laid on a pile 
of sand and when we next saw it, the end had started to turn up. We left 
it there and in the first season, it grew over two feet. Early the next 
year, we cut out a one-inch section, just back of this new growth, leaving 
the old part on the ground. Imagine our surprise to find a lot of shoots coming 
out from under the cutting. We then tried covering the entire cutting with 
sand but it rotted. So the best way is to lay it in a groove but do not let 
the soil cover it. We had covered pads of the Opuntia tenuispina just to 
get the queer shaped pads which would come up out of the sand. Some 
would be short and flat but most of them would be spatulate and some even 
would be curled, but all the subsequent pads which grew from these would 
be regular. 
The most important treatment of a cactus is in the watering and when in 
doubt as to a cactus needing water, the answer is DON’T WATER. One can 
watch a plant and tell when it needs water. If a plant has adequate drainage, 
it can be watered more often than otherwise. In the spring, the plant will 
show new spines in the center of the top, then it can be watered liberally. 
Never pour water over a plant with a depressed top and never, never, water 
the plants in bright sunshine as the water drops form burning glasses which 
will make spots on the plant where insects will find entrance, and be also a 
disease hotbed. When cold weather (10) comes, it is time to start tapering 
off the water so as to prevent freezing. We sometimes use a little manure 
water on a backward plant. To make this, take an old vinegar barrel and 
partly fill with old rotted cow or sheep manure, fill with water and let it 
soak for a few days. Drain off this water and give some to each plant but 
not too much (% bushel to a barrel.) 
HOW TO GROW CACTI FROM SEED 
Growing cacti from seed is a very interesting pastime and we believe will - 
soon become the chief supply of these plants. One must first get fresh seed 
and then prepare seed pans or pots. The pots must be sterile so it is a good 
plan to boil before using. First, wash your seed in full strength semesan. This 
will keep the seedlings from damping off? 
We use seed flats of about ten inches deep so any flower-pot ten inches 
or more is good. Fill this half full of fine crushed rocks, then prepare a mixture 
of peat moss and fine river sand about equal parts, the peat must be screened 
very find and be thoroughly mixed with the sand. Fill the pot to within one 
inch of the top and press it firmly over the whole surface. Spray this surface 
with semesan lightly and then sprinkle the seeds over the whole surface. 
Sprinkle some sand over this but do not use enough to altogether cover the 
seeds. Then place this pot into a bucket half filled with water, until the 
water soaks up and wets the sand surrounding the seeds. Have the water 
lukewarm and then place the pot in bright light but not in direct sun. Place 
a piece of glass over the top of the pot and in a few days your plant will show 
as two little leaves on a stem. When we have very. rare seeds, we sometimes 
mark off the pot with a stick and place the seeds with a pair of tweezers in 
a straight line and if we want to plant two kinds of seeds in one pot, we cut 
a piece of glass and divide the pot into two divisions by burying the glass in 
the sand. Be sure that you have some system for naming the seedlings. A 
numbered stick in each kind and the name of the cactus in your note book 
is good. 
Water every other day until all the seeds germinate but always water from 
the bottom or you will wash out the seedlings. Never allow the sand to get 
dry. After the cacti begin to show spines and the cotyledons have dried off, 
it is time to transplant. (47) This should be done with care. Always dig up 
some soil with the little plant and have a hole ready in another flat or pot. 
This soil should be just a little richer than the last soil. 
We have heard several queer ideas about germination. The latest came from 
TO 
37 Echinocereus conoides in bloom. 40 Echinocereus roetteri. 
38 Echinocereus polyacanthus in bloom. 41 Echinocereus ennaecanthus in bloom. 
39 Echinocereus dasycanthus blooms. 42 Echinocactus horizonthalonius. 
