You do not have to live in the Southwest to enjoy the fascinating hobby of collecting and growing cacti. They do well in a sunny window anywhere in the world.
Cacti are a family of plants that, through the centuries, have adapted themselves to living in arid regions, so when grown as houseplants, they must have periods of dryness during which they can use the food and water stored in their tissue.
Numerous cacti are small, enough to plant in pots and dish gardens. Among them are the hedgehogs (Echinocereus), pin-cushions (coryphantha), and a large number of fishhook (mammillaria) cacti.
Also, a favorite with collectors is the oddities of the cactus family, such as the strange horny living rock (Ariocarpus fissuratus) and the stone-like star cactus (Astrophytum myriostigma), both completely spineless.
These and many more, too numerous to mention, require only a sunny window to flourish and bear their annual gifts of exquisite flowers.
Ideal Cacti For Dish Garden
The ideal cacti for dish gardens are the various large tree-like cereus seedlings. The old man cactus (Cephalocereus senilis) is a must for his long white hair, and the old woman cactus (Expostoa lanata) has beautiful, soft, silky hair, to mention only a few.
All the barrel (Ferocactus and echinocactus) cacti seedlings are desirable for the beautiful filigree of colorful spines that enclose the small globular plants. Flowers on the barrels do not occur before the age of 25 or 30 years.
Care For Dish Cacti
A dish garden planted with several slow-growing cereus and barrel cacti seedlings need not be transplanted for years and can be placed on a coffee table instead of a window, for they do not require full sunlight.
A realistic desert scene can be produced using different sizes of cereus and barrel seedlings, plus a few colorful rocks or mineral specimens.
This miniature landscape requires only an occasional drink of water in summer and almost none in winter when the plants are resting. Always allow the soil to dry out completely before watering.
It is best to start with only a few plants until the urge to overwater has been overcome. Cacti can be planted at any time of the year with equal success, but water should be withheld if planted during the winter months.
Planting and Potting Cacti
A porous soil with lots of organic matter (leaf mold or compost) is absolutely necessary. The soil must not dry out too quickly.
A good mixture is obtained by mixing two parts of rich garden soil and one part of gravel; add a tablespoonful of crushed charcoal and one of hydrated lime.
One of the important rules for planting cacti is to cut the roots back to about an inch, leaving only the short stubs of roots to hold the plants in position.
After trimming the roots, allow them to heal for several days before planting. Experience has proved that cacti re-establish faster when they grow a new set of roots.
Trimming and Planting Cacti
Glazed or clay pots, which are a little larger than the plant’s circumference, including the spines, may be used. An inch or two of broken crock should be placed at the bottom of the pot for drainage, followed by the soil mixture.
Leave a cone-shaped hollow in the center. Hold the cactus with a pair of kitchen tongs over the hollow and fill it with clean sand.
A thin layer of gravel over the top prevents the soil from washing aside when watered. Unrooted cuttings of cacti are handled in the same manner.
Watering and Care For Potted Cacti
Newly potted plants should not be watered for several days, and then only sparingly until plants become established.
A thorough soaking twice a month during the hot summer months is sufficient, except when plants are very small; a little water should be applied every few days. A small drink once a month during winter keeps the dormant roots from drying out.
Botanical and Common Names
Most growers and dealers of cacti give both botanical and common names of the plants in their catalogs and attach a label with the botanical name to the cactus when it is shipped to the customer.
It is surprising how little effort is required to remember the botanical name of a plant once you associate it with a particular plant.
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