UP FOR AUCTION ARE FIVE (5) CUTTINGS FROM MY CATHEDRAL CACTUS/AFRICAN MILK TREE.

THE CUTTINGS WILL BE 4-6 INCHES LONG. THEY ARE A HOUSE PLANT, BUT WILL WITHSTAND TEMPERATURES DOWN TO ABOUT 49 DEGREES.

I PUT MY PLANTS OUTSIDE AFTER LAST SIGNS OF FROST AND BRING THEM BACK IN THE HOUSE IN THE FALL.

FYI: The cathedral cactus (Euphorbia trigona) belongs to a large genus of plants - Euphorbia - also known as spurges. Most of these can trace their origins to Africa, and the cathedral cactus is from tropical West Africa.

It gets its common name from how its stalks grow upward, looking like the spires of a Gothic cathedral. It is also sometimes called the African milk tree. This name comes from the milky substance that is produced when the stalks are cut or broken. This substance contains latex and can cause skin irritations; therefore, you should always wash your hands anytime you come in contact with this substance.

I started my first cathedral cactus from a piece given me by a friend. In fact, to start a cathedral cactus, all you need to do is cut off a stalk of the plant. Stick this in some potting soil/sand, water, and sit it in bright light. Some gardening books may tell you to mix up some kind of special potting mix for your cathedral cactus; however, I have never found this necessary. This cactus with actually root just laying on the ground.

The cathedral cactus requires regular watering during the growing period in the spring and summer. You do not want the soil to be soggy, though. Water well and then allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Apply a balanced fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during this period, too. As your cathedral cactus grows, it will produce numerous bracts that look like leaves. These are actually the plant's blooms, which will start dying and dropping off as the cathedral cactus begins to go into its dormant stage. During this period - in the late fall and through the winter - you can virtually ignore the plant. I throw some water on mine whenever I happen to think about it - about once every two weeks. But, do not worry, your cactus will not die from lack of water. You can kill it with kindness though.

THANK YOU FOR LOOKING AND HOPEFULLY BIDDING ON MY CACTUS CUTTINGS.

AGAIN, THIS AUCTION IS FOR FIVE (5) UNROOTED CUTTINGS.