THE CULTURE OF MAMILLARIAS 
VI AMILLARIAS are among the simplest house plants to grow as 
they require no especial treatment. Most species do quite well 
in the window or greenhouse if given a light position and a moder- 
ate amount of ventilation when conditions permit. Like most cacti 
they are more liable to be killed by kindness than by neglect. 
They do well in a loamy soil preferring sandy loams through 
which the water drains moderately quickly. A good soil mixture 
if your local, natural soils are sticky is 1 part loam, 1 part coarse 
sand or fine gravel, 1 part leafmold. If the loam you have is very 
clayey and sticky use more sand, up to two parts. Granulated 
charcoal is very useful also to relieve sticky loams. If you think 
your soils are inclined to be acid or ‘“‘sour’”’ 
they may be made alkaline by the addition of 
pounded eggshells or oyster shells or limestone chips. Cacti in the wilds are often very tolerant 
of lime some growing where ‘‘caliche”’ 
(a term used in semidesert regions for a sort of limey 
hardpan) comes almost to the surface. | have found however that even these species do well in 
an almost neutral soil. 
When potting spread the roots out carefully and sift almost dry soil between them. See that 
the base of the plant is about flush with the surface and that the surface is about VY inch below 
the rim of the pot. Tap the pot on the table and press with your thumb to firm the soil. | pre- 
fer not to water for a week or so unless very hot and dry. Then water just enough so the pots 
will be dry in 5-7 days. Water again when dry. Don’t keep your plants wet. Let them dry out 
between waterings. 
MAMILLARIA PYGMAEA 
A quick growing small plant that flowers the first 
season. The blossoms are white and are soon followed 
by bright red berries. At first it is solitary but later 
forms a small cluster. It will stand some shade. Nice 
3 years old specimens 50c. 
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Mam Bullardiana = 35c 
Mam. calacantha. A solitary plant with age 
reaching 3” in diameter and a foot in height. 
Nipples small, closely set and tipped with 25 
to 35 yellow radial spines and 2-4 reddish 
centrals. A very pretty plant. Not common. 
BOLE ts ole Seco a ee ee ORS os oO ee, 25¢ 
Mam. camptotricha. See page 6. 
Mam. caput-medusae. Flowers pink..___.... 35¢ 
GNOMES PINCUSHION 
A very satisfactory variety that flowers when quite 
small. Mam. decipiens branches profusely soon being 
almost smothered in youngsters. Very easy to grow and 
flower. The young plants may be detached and root up 
quickly. Large 50c. ; 
INL CC erent acto dd catentesere seas weasnatigerahaeuesescsesrac SE Sy Meknockszatevescte 25¢ 
CACTUS FOOD 
A very effective food for cacti with a good 
organic base, the ingredients of which are 
blended and proportioned to help your plants 
make normal, matured growth. 
WZsounce bags Post) Paid ee 50c 
2 pound bag. Post Paid 
CORYPHANTHA RADIANS 
The Coryphanthas are allied to the Mamillarias but 
quite generally bear much larger flowers. Several of the 
bright yellow blossoms are borne each season. They 
grow easily but slowly, requiring the same care as 
Mamillarias. The nipples are larger and fewer with a 
groove on the upper surface. 
Flowering plants...................... araviees.rceness Tigactuadconkucadsosuee 75¢ 
Mam. carnea. A vigorous, bright green plant 
with pyramidal, angled nipples and 4-5 stout 
spines but lacking radials. Flowers pink. A free 
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Mam. Celsiana. See page 7. 
Mam. centricirrha. Page 8. 
Mam. compressa. See page 7. 
Mam. dealbata. Page 9. 
Mam. dumetorum. A form of M. Schiediana. 
40c 
Mam. ebenecantha..___.__................- 
Mam. echinaria. A very pretty plant closely 
allied to M. elongata, but with 1-2 centrals. 
Golden yellow spines, it soon forms handsome 
clusters. Give it a quite sandy soil. 2” - 3” 35c¢ 
Mam. elegans. A very popular variety with 
very numerous small nipples tipped with 20- 
30 chalk-white radial spines and 2-4 centrals 
tipped brown or black. Flowers red from Jan- 
uary on. Large flowering 3” 75¢. 11/4” - 2” 50¢ 
Mam. elegans potosina. A larger form. 21/”- 
SRE iene etal yee Gee id SN Sh sll LE ERI $1 
ROSE PINCUSHION 
The bright and charming’ Mamillaria Zeilmanniana 
is one of my favorites. It is a very heavy bloomer and 
remains in flower for many weeks. The plants are small 
1” to 2” in diameter but rapidly form clusters branch- 
ing from the base. The smallest plants will bear sey- 
eral flowers. Grows well in sun or partial 35¢ 
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Mam. elongata Schmollii. A miniature form 
of M. elongata with more slender stems and 
fine radial spines generally paler yellow in 
color. It flowers during January, February and 
March and again later in the year. Branches 
very freely. An elegant small specimen plant 
as perfect as a jewel. 2” - 214” branching 35c. 
Singles i Se ier eae ee eae ree eee meee ee ere 25¢ 
GOLDEN STARS 
The lovely popular Mamillaria elongata should be in 
every collection. Each nipple tipped with a _ shining 
golden star the nipples arranged in perfect spirals. 
Very easily grown. Branches freely from the base soon 
forming handsome specimens. Early spring bloomer with 
red berries. Sun or partial shade. 3” - 4” branched 
50c. Small clusters 35¢ 
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SNOWBALL PINCUSHION 
Mamillaria candida 
An exquisite plant of purest w ia the tovs tinged 
pink at times, The nipples are tipped with over 50 
white radials and up to a dozen centrals. The plants 
may reach 4” in diameter and 6” talt and often wave 
several heads in a cluster. They prefer a quite sandy 
soil and should not be overwatered. Give them a sunny 
rice ete window. 50c 
