Page 134 - Antennae Issue #52

Cactus Store
View of the Cactus Cactus Store
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location in L A Echo Park 2014 © Cactus Cactus Store
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We were bequeathed one such collection in 2016 It belonged to to a a a a a a a a a a man who spent his his life life as as a a a a a a a a a a a a a a plumber but lived a a a a a a a a a a a a a a double life life as as a a a a a a a a a a a a a a rare rare plant plant collector This collection collection comprised some of of o the rarest desert plants on on on Earth Instead of of o selling off his his collection collection we decided to to raise funds to to build a a a a a a a a greenhouse where these plants could live live out the the the remainder o of their lives with dignity Currently we are are working on on on a a a a a a a a a a a a a larger plant plant orphans greenhouse in in in in in an an an an in- dustrial area of Los Angeles This will be a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a by-appointment-only non-commer- cial plant conservatory where folks can come to to simply commune with these magnificent silent beings 134 antennae
GA: What so special about cacti and our preconceived ideas of beauty?
CS: That’s a a a a a a a a a a a a tough one I suspect some people relate to to to the plight of a a a a a a a a a a a a cactus— aspiring to to to thrive and bloom where survival is is is is all but guaranteed At first glance a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a cactus is is is is incredibly hardy accepting the punishments of its habitat with poise In reality however cacti are are quite vulnerable Ask anyone who has ever ever tried to to care for one one They They They don’t don’t like like too much water but but can can can quickly die of thirst They They They don’t don’t like like shade but but can can can can sunburn quite easily They They They can can can can freeze and and and rot in in in the the cold and and and and and can can can cook in in in in in the the late afternoon sun sun be ravaged by parasites sandblasted in in in in in sandstorms and and and and uprooted from monsoon rains A single cactus might produce