Growing Cactus and Succulents

Many times, however, they will have been grown in oil cans; even so, it is better to leave them in their containers and repot later, after plants have become accustomed to their new environment. Too often, bare root succulents or cactus fail to re-establish after shipment. For long distances have plants sent Air Parcel Pbst; for short trips, shipment by bus is satisfactory. In most cases you will have to pick up the plants, but it is better for the plants if you get them immediately rather than waiting a few days for delivery. Spring and fall are the best times to buy succulents and cactus from mail order suppliers. In the winter, weather is too uncertain, and in summer even more new plants will succumb to heat than might perish in low winter temperatures. How to Handle New Plants Your plants whether they come from a mail order house or a local nursery need more care in the first few weeks with you than at any other time: It takes them a few weeks to adjust to new conditions. Do not put plants in direct sun after they have traveled in closed boxes. Put them in an in-directly lighted place for a few days; then move them into more light. Moderate watering is all they need during this period. When you receive new arrivals be sure they are free from insects. Immerse the pot halfway in a tub of water for a few hours; you may be surprised at how many uninvited guests appear on the soil surface. Even the best regulated nurseries occasionally have their share of pests.