John Traeger, a curator of the desert garden at the Huntington Botanical Gardens, discusses desirable cactus and succulent plants. Stapelia (figure A), or carrion flower, grows to a height of about 12" and blooms during summer and fall. It is hardy to 35 degrees Fahrenheit and requires sun or partial shade. The unusual blooms give off a foul odor to attract flies, which pollinate the flowers. Echeveria (figure B) is native to Texas and Mexico and from Central America to the Andes. Species vary, but some reach a height of 3'. They require sun or partial shade and are hardy to 30 degrees. Echeverias are prized for their shape, color and leaf texture. Euphorbia obesa (Living baseball) (figure C) grows in the shape of a ball. These plants are completely spineless and require sun or partial shade. They bloom in winter and are hardy to 50 degrees. Baseball plant is gray-green with purple markings. (Caution: Euphorbias are poisonous if ingested.) Turk's cap cactus (Melocactus) (figure D) is temperamental and best suited to the experienced grower. It survives only where the temperature does not fall below 61 degrees, and it requires a rich, porous potting mix that provides perfect drainage. Compatible varieties of cacti may be grafted together. The best time for the procedure is May through October (figure E). If you'd like to try grafting, choose a stock plant, and slice the top off with a sharp knife (figure F). Slice off a section of the variety to be grafted on top of the stock plant (in this case, Gymnocalycium). The top part of the graft is called the scion. The trick to joining the two pieces together is to line up the two cylinders. You must match the cambium layers (the vascular system) on at least one side of the graft (figure G). Hold the pieces together, and place rubber bands around the grafted scion (figure H) and across the bottom of the container to support the graft while the cut edges heal. Leave the rubber bands in place for at least 24 hours.
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