February can be a wintry weary month, but March is almost here and spring might be just around the corner.

I have stumbled upon what I used to call the miniature cactus ( the plurals are cacti, cactuses and also cactus) so many times at a few places including the local Home Depot. I went back to look at it while debating if I should buy some. They are intriguing, although some look so unreal and unnatural as if someone dyed the flowers into purple, pink, yellow and green. Then two weeks ago I bought my first grafted cactus because I could not resist the unusual looking growth and the color combination on the plant. I went back a week later to buy my second one.

Cactus is totally foreign to me. Where I grew up, there were no cactus. (Cactus normally grow in very dry areas and there is no desert in Thailand). My first experience with cactus was when I visited Arizona almost half a century ago. I love and admire cactus. These unusual plants with succulent stems and branches with spines, scales, needles and unique flowers have always fascinated me.

I had no idea that there is a plethora of information that can be found online about grafted cactus and ‘how to’ instructions. After reading about them, I must admit that I now have better appreciation of cactus as ornamental house plants.

http://www.cactuslovers.com/

http://www.cactus-and-succulents.com/index.html

http://windowsillcactus.com/

http://cactiguide.com/ref/

http://www.cactuscollection.com/index.html

http://www.desertdans.com/

I also love the meaning of cactus -- ENDURANCE.