upon which they are grafted. Grafting is also
adopted for some of the Cactuses to add to the grotesqueness
of their appearance; a spherical Echinocactus or Mamillaria
being united to the columnar stem of another kind,
so as to produce the appearance of a drum stick; or
a large round-growing species grafted on to three
such stems, which may then be likened to a globe supported
upon three columns. As the species and genera
unite freely with each other, it is possible to produce,
by means of grafting, some very extraordinary-looking
plants, and to a lover of the incongruous and “queer,”
these plants will afford much interest and amusement.
Besides the above, we graft Epiphyllums, and the long
drooping Cereuses, such as C. flagelliformis, because
of their pendent habit, and which, therefore, are
seen to better advantage when growing from the tall
erect stem of some stouter kind, than if allowed to
grow on their own roots. By growing a Pereskia
on into a large plant, and then cutting it into any
shape desired, we may, by grafting upon its spurs or
branches a number of pieces of Epiphyllum, obtain
large flowering specimens of various shapes in a comparatively
short time. For general purposes, it is usual
to graft Epiphyllums on to stems, about 1 ft. high,
of Pereskia aculeata; pretty little standard plants
being in this way formed in about a year from the
time of grafting, As an instance of how easily some
kinds may be grafted, we may note what was done with
a large head of the Rat’s-tail Cactus which
had been grown for some years on the stem of Cereus
rostratus, but which last year rotted off just below
the point of union. On re-grafting this head
on to the Cereus a little lower down, it failed to
unite, and, attributing the failure to possible ill-health
in the stock, we determined to transfer the Rat’s-tail
Cactus to a large stem of Pereskia aculeata, the result
being a quick union and rapid, healthy growth since.
Upon the same stock some grafts of Epiphyllum had
previously been worked, so that it is probable these
two aliens will form on their nurse-stem, the Pereskia,
an attractive combination. In Fig. 6 we have
a fine example of this kind of grafting. It represents
a stem of Pereskia Bleo upon which the Rat’s-tail
Cactus and an Epiphyllum have been grafted.
[Illustration: Fig. 6. Pereskia bleo, with Epiphyllum and cereus flagelliformis grafted upon it.]
For most plants the operation of grafting must be carefully and skilfully performed, but in the case of Cactuses very little skill is necessary if one or two rules, which apply to all kinds of grafting, are observed. The period of vigorous growth, and while the sap of both the stock and the scion is in motion, is the most favourable time for the operation. It is then only necessary, in order to bring about a speedy union, that the parts grafted should be cut so as to fit each other properly, and