“Stuck on Cactus-A Beginning Grower’s Guide” by David E. Wright was published by Howell Press

Beginning cactus growers couldn’t ask for a better book. Written in a humorous style, the author is librarian for the Oregon Cactus and Succulent Society. In his three greenhouses in Portland, he raises over 500 cactus.

This light-hearted book is especially written for beginners, but other readers may benefit as well. Wright takes the mystery out of growing cacti. Though his main focus is on desert cacti, he provides helpful information on the others as well.

You certainly don’t want to get stuck by spines. So, start with the chapter entitled “Chopsticks, Bent Forks, and First Aid.” This gives a hint as to what is ahead. In the chapter, he presents an ideal toolkit for cactus growers that may prevent you from being stuck.

For many indoor gardeners, the big question is how to keep the plant alive without killing it. Wright explains how this can be done. According to Wright, the most important thing is to avoid buying a plant that already has problems, and gives hints you can use when you go cactus shopping.

He covers every phase of cacti care—from watering and fertilizing to diseases, insects, resting periods, and potting mixes. For the adventuresome folks that may want to create their own soil mixes, he provides three different recipes for the desert type and one for the jungle cacti, such as Christmas cacti.

If you’re not sure what kind of cactus you have, refer to his chapter on the four basic shapes.

Wright promotes organic means of handling insects and diseases, and provides all-purpose recipes for home-made remedies, using baking soda and Ivory dish soap.

The chapters have catchy little titles. For example, the one on fertilizers is called “Is That A New Perfume You’re Wearing?” The one on buying plants is cleverly called “A Last Will and Testament May Be Included.”

In case you’re wondering, this book is meant to be used. As a matter of fact, it contains empty pages at the end where you can make notes

By the time you’ve learned all the basics, you may be ready for another title. But, for beginners this volume tackles the nitty gritty of cactus care in an engaging, easy to understand book.