The Times

House plants too demanding, CACTUS... they thrive on neglect

BY GRACE JEFFERY who can grow cactuses"—or "cacti," whichever you prefer—must be willing to put aside the habits formed while caring for other house plants. Heavy soil that does not drain readily will hold moisture, rotting a cactus. Some of the succulents refuse to turn their characteristic coral or bronze rosy-red color if the soil is too rich, but others prefer a rich soil, provided it is loose enough. Some of them sunburn in the full sunlight which others demand. Whether plants are ordered by mail, bought in florist shops, dime stores or supermarkets, or patiently started from seed, it is best to follow the grower's directions, since no single set of rules could cover the 3000 species of cacti and the even more numerous other succulents. For while it may be true that a rose is a rose is a rose, no such monotony exists in the succulent clan. The word "cactus" conjures up a mental picture of "something with stickers," especially for those unfortunates who may have backed into the prickly pear or fairy needles. Spines, however, are not always what they seem. True, some are dartlike and menacing, some curved like fishhooks or the claws of an eagle. But one cactus has flattened spines resembling strips of paper that get longer and whiter with increased sunshine, while the old man of the Andes is covered with long, soft "hair." Another cactus sports a puff of silky, snow-white "cotton," and mamillaria plumosa is clothed in downy, curling "feathers." There is even a "baldie" or two in the crowd! EXPLORING among all the succulents, one sees necklace stems strung with bright, chunky leaves; miniature "palm trees" whose leaves are edged with baby plants; gaily striped candy canes, and lifeless-looking lumps of "stone." Besides the more familiar barrel, ball, and beaver-tail shapes, there are imitation pine cones, starfish, and sand dollars. In its native desert, a giant cereus may grow to be 60 feet tall, weighing tons, but you could scoop up a dozen grape cacti in one gloved hand. All these variations of plant shape and size, color and texture, are compounded when succulents bloom. An individual blossom may be a foot long, or smaller than a button—white, or any rainbow color. It perches at the tip of a long stalk, snuggles against the plant body, or joins others in a lush halo adorning a spiny cactus dome. Cacti and the other succulents in bloom transform a barren desert landscape into an exciting, fragrant, color-splashed garden. The same miracle can easily happen on your own window sill. Suburbia Today, November 1960

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