CACTI: FOR GREENHOUSE, WINDOW GARDEN AND OUTDOORS
The corporate name commonly used to discover the various appendage of the home Cactaceae is Cacti . These plants are primarily native to the Americas , specially Lower California , Texas , and Mexico to the south to Chile , Peru , and Argentina , where they farm in the desert and mountainous regions ; however , various species , particularly the Opuntia ( Prickly Pear ) , have become naturalized in other countries , including the Mediterranean realm , Africa , and Australia , where they were originally planted as hedges but have spread so rapidly that they have become a threat to farmers . In tropical and subtropic res publica , Opuntias are embed to organize hedges and Opuntia Ficus - Indica produces magnanimous edible fruit .
Remarkable Variation in Size and Shape
The member ofthe Cactus kinfolk exhibit great diversity of chassis ; some are small and resemble stones in soma and colouring ; others form grandiloquent columns 20 foot . in height . The branches and stems of some kinds are flattened , whereas many develop into almost round stack of tissue . A few bod rightful leaves , but in the majority the foliage is reduced to microscopical scales . Some are gird with acuate , pointed spines and all have a very loggerheaded outer skin . The absence of leaves and the dense skin enable these plants to flourish in ironic , devoid mood where most other vegetation can not live ; this because transpiration ( give off piss ) in Cacti is reduced to a lower limit . During the rainy periods Cacti are capable of salt away up large quantities of H2O which is use during periods of drought .
In addition to being curiously attractive inform , many Cacti also bear showy flowers of many beautiful shades , and some are night - anthesis , as , for example , the expectant , fragrant , white Selenicereus ( Cereus ) grandiflorus .
A Vast Family
The Cactus family hug more than 120 genera , which collectively contain over 2,000 species . The gravid increase in the routine of genera recognized has been bring about by a complete revision of the family by the botanists , who have also grouped the genus into folk and subtribes , while at the same time dividing many of the erstwhile genus into numerous smaller single .
Thus , of the many Cacti previously named Cereus , only 24 species now persist , the others being split up into no fewer than 38 other genera , the largest of which are Cephalocereus , Pachycereus , Peptocereus , Lemaireocereus , Nyctocereus , Acanthocereus and Borzicactus . Likewise many of the Cacti antecedently include in the genus Echinocereus , Echinocactus , Echinopsis , Melocactus , Pilocereus , Mammillaria , Epiphyllum , etc . , have now been separated into small , or transferred to other , genera .
All the authoritative genus Cacti are describe separately in this work , but the following Federal Reserve note on their oecumenical culture will suffice as a guide for most of the variety usually grown on this continent .
Outdoor Cultivation
In warm , dry section of North America , a great variety of Cacti may be successfully cultivate in the exposed garden . In strong , moist climates fewer kinds succeed but still a selection may be grown , and even in the northern United States a few succeed alfresco in acutely drained ( very poriferous ) soil . In such cold climate a location at the base of a due south - face rampart is a salutary position to plant the stalwart kinds , one of the easiest of which is the eastern North American aborigine , Opuntia compressa .
Indoor Cultivation
Cacti need a minimum greenhouse temperature of 40 academic degree and 10 or 15 degrees more is advantageous . With few elision , they must be expose to all usable sunshine throughout the year . The exception are the epiphytic kinds such as Epiphyllum , Rhipsalis , and Zygocactus . The good potting compost consists of four parts arenaceous loam , and one part of equal measure of George Sand and crush brick . Repotting is done in April , the plants being moved into large pots when their roots become hamper . As a general rule , Cacti should be repotted every second year , as after that the soil tends to become sour ; but that does not they will of necessity require larger pots .
skilful drainage must be supply , about one quarter of the pot space being filled with lampblack , covered with harsh leave of absence , and the grime must be made firm with a potting stick . After repotting , no water is given until the soil becomes almost juiceless . When the plant are established , the compost is restrain moist from April to October . From November until March less weewee is want , sufficient only to keep the stems from shriveling . When they are grown in windowpane gardens , where winter temperature are markedly higher than those recommend above for Cacti grown in greenhouses , more frequent watering is needed during the winter months .
How to Take Cuttings of Cacti
Pieces of shoot , or stem , taken from any part of the flora , will form roots . When Cacti produce offsets these form a quick way of step-up , for if carefully removed when of fairish size and pot , they will promptly form base .
When cuttings are taken they should be pose in the sun for a mean solar day or two to permit a corky skin to form over the cuts , which prevents waste . They are then insert in pots of ‘ adequate parts moist peat and sand or in Baroness Dudevant alone . The pots are placed on the benches or a shelf in the glasshouse or in a scant window . A diffuse display case is not necessary , although slight bottom heat will get prompt tooth root shaping .
Sowing Seeds of Cacti
Cacti are easily raised from seeds sown in dope of arenaceous compost in spring or summertime , and this method , although slow , see the product of really strong , healthy plant . The seeds are just overcompensate with soil , water and covered with a pane of shabu until sprouting takes place . They germinate best in a temperature of 60 to 70 point F. The seedlings should be kept lightly shade from strong sun , and carefully watered until tumid enough to prick off at an inch asunder in Pan of porous compost . Later , they are transferred singly to modest , 1 - in.-wide pots .
Grafting Cacti
This is performed for various rationality . Certain kinds such as Aporocactus ( Cereus ) flagelliformis and Zygocactus ( Epiphyllum ) truncatum , being of drooping growth , are more ornamental when grafted on a tall , erect stalk . genus Peireskia aculeata is a suitable stock for both kinds . genus Pereskia is produce from cuttings and when large enough , grafting is performed in the following way : a thin slash is take out from each side of the base of the scion ; the stem of Pereskia is cut off at the top and a sub - shaped slice of tissue off , into which the scion is slipped . The scion is hold in place with a pin or large thorn from one of the Cacti . The grafted plants are then send in a deoxyephedrine - traverse loge in a quick greenhouse until a marriage is formed . Cacti which are liable to decay at the lower part of the stem turn are often graft on a stock of hardier ty pe and kinds dissimilar in condition are graft one on the other as curiosities .
