PLANTING DIRECTIONS: 
CHARA LEASURE EL PASO, TEXAS 
Cacti should be planted in a sandy soil, river-bottom sand is best with a 
little lime or broken mortar in it, if planted in pots, a small amount of gravel 
or broken pots should be placed in the bottom for drainage, plant the roots 
as deep as possible but do not plant the cactus below the dirt line as to do so 
will rot the plant. Prune the roots before planting, water after planting and 
then twice a month by placing the pot in a pan of water for twenty minutes, 
this allows the roots to suck up as much water as the plant needs. Then 
place the pot in the sun, and remember most cacti are hot country plants, so 
treat accordingly. Loose gravel adds to the beauty of the plants when placed ° 
on top of the soil around the plant and will give it a near natural surround- 
ing. 
A cactus garden should be built about 1 Ft. higher than the surrounding 
ground. A wall of stones without mortar is ideal. Mound your soil and place 
large rocks here and there to hold the soil in p!ace and then plant your cacti 
the taller ones in the center and the smaller ones at the outer edge. If vou 
have cacti which freeze in your climate, plant them in pots and sirk the pots 
to the level of the soil and in the winter the plants can be taken to a ¢ellar 
for safe keeping and your garden in no way disturbed. 
Cuttings can be rooted readily by dring them in the sun foi two weeks, 
to heal the cut, then plant them in dry sand for a few days before giving 
them any water. If your cactus get root-rot, cut off the rotted part and place 
in the sun till the cut is well hardened and plant in dry sand as the cuttings 
and many a fine plant can be saved. Lime rubbed over the cut will hasten 
this process. Hot-vegetable tongs will do very well in handling when plant- 
ing cacti. 

How to grow Cacti from Seed 
To Plant Cactus seeds, take a large flower pot and place a hand full of 
broken pottery or rocks in the bottom and fill 3-4 with a damp sand; sprinkle 
seeds evenly and then press them in with a smooth block, covering these 
with a thin layer of dry sand. Place a pane of glass over the top, allowing a 
small space for air. Water daily by placing pot in saucer of water till sand 
is wet. 
Sand must be kept damp at all times until seeds germinate. 
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