Propagating cacti by cuttings is an efficient and cost-effective way to expand your collection. Most types of cacti root easily from pads, while larger stem-forming varieties may need stakes for support.
Before placing a cutting of cacti into rooting medium, it is vitally important that it dry for several days in order to prevent rot from developing and ultimately killing off the plant.
Take a Cutting
Propagating cacti from cuttings is a straightforward way to add new plants to your collection. While some varieties do not take well to being propagated from cuttings, others such as prickly pear and blue candle varieties are very simple. For optimal results when taking cuttings from mature pad-forming cacti as mother plants – this ensures enough stored nutrients and water will nourish young pads as they form roots over time.
Once you’ve cut your cactus plant, let its cut ends dry out and callous over, as this will protect its inner layers from infection and moisture loss. Allowing this process to happen should take several days or a week; when this has taken place, fill a pot with perlite and compost (standard potting mix is too moist for this purpose) in order to maintain moisture balance for your plant’s long-term survival.
Once your soil is ready, place one-third of a cactus cutting with its cut end down into it and push. If available, dip your cutting in rooting hormone powder before planting (optional).
Holding back on watering until cacti roots form will allow them to build more nutrients, but for best results make sure it remains at an ambient temperature; overwatering could kill off your plant completely! Avoid using very hot temperatures as this could burn and kill off any delicate blooms.
Place the cacti in a warm area that receives indirect sunlight to ensure they receive enough light without direct sun burning the leaves and hindering rooting processes.
An effective way to test for root growth is to gently tug on the cactus; if resistance is felt, that indicates growth! This test will also let you know when to transplant it into soil.
Once the cacti are rooted, they can be planted either in soil or gravel. Depending on its species, you may need to water occasionally (once every few days for some species), to encourage root development; but frequent watering could just lead to their destruction!
Preparing the Cutting
Cacti are typically propagated via stem cuttings; however, you can also use grafting as an effective technique for creating new plants from existing cacti. Although more involved, grafting may be beneficial when propagating difficult species or when trying to combine different traits between species. Grafting should generally take place during their active growth season when their parent plant produces new growth.
To properly prepare a cacti for planting, it’s essential that you use a sterilized knife and wear protective gloves when cutting. Remove 4 to 6 inch (10 to 15 cm) pieces from each desired cactus plant ensuring it remains healthy without flowers blooming; cut as close to its node – which is where branching begins from the main stem – for rooting development; further increase this likelihood by scaring this node with a sharp blade before scarifying with rooting hormone.
Once your cutting is ready to be planted, cover its stem with soil or sand and press it into your planting medium so that approximately one-third of its cut end is buried into the soil. Mist regularly to keep its soil moist but don’t allow too much moisture into its potting mix as excess moisture may lead to rot in its roots.
After several weeks, your cacti should be ready to form roots, at which time it should be transplanted to a larger pot or garden bed for transplanting. To promote rooting, the environment in which they’re kept should be cool, dark and indirect for optimal success; root growth time depends heavily on both type and environmental conditions.
Planting the Cutting
Cacti thrive from cuttings, but proper removal is crucial to their growth. Cutting off just one segment and leaving it hanging may cause it to rot instead of rooting, so take extra care when taking stem cuttings; twist them off at their connection point between segments for maximum root growth. This technique is known as stem cutting and it’s often the best way of getting your cacti to take root!
Once you take a stem cutting, leave it alone for several days to heal and callus over before misting or watering regularly to maintain humidity in the atmosphere. This allows any wounds to heal more effectively while protecting the plant against rot. Also make sure the plant receives bright indirect lighting to avoid it drying out or becoming too hot; misting occasionally with water will keep humidity levels in check and contribute towards overall plant health.
Once your cutting has been properly treated and callused, it’s time to plant it! Simply fill a small pot with cacti soil or perlite and set your cutting in it. Some people also opt to dip their cutting in rooting hormone, although this step is not essential – simply add your cacti to the container and allow it to root naturally!
Once the cutting has begun to root, transplant it into its own pot and water as necessary – typically once every 2-3 weeks or when its top layer of soil feels dry.
Division is another method for propagating cacti, though this technique is less popular. This option works particularly well for types that produce buds or flowers from their sides – like blue candles and prickly pears – making this easy to do without disfiguring their mother plant.
Grafting is an alternative propagation method for cacti that don’t respond well to cuttings, and is an easy, straightforward process that works on any type of cactus. To graft, simply place a scion atop of its rootstock; their respective vascular cambium (an organ that transports nutrients through their stem) must mate to create an effective graft; rubber bands, electrical tape or twine can then be used to secure it securely.
Care for the Cutting
Cacti are known to thrive when planted from cuttings, producing healthy plants in suitable conditions. Propagating them from pads propagation is a quick way to quickly expand your collection; though best conducted during summer when plants are more active and likely to form roots.
Cactus cuttings are typically taken from the pads of a plant; however, certain varieties can also be propagated via their flowers or stems. When taking pad cuttings, select an older and healthy pad which does not show signs of disease or stress; it is also important to ensure that it has not been fertilized.
Once the cacti have been cut, allow its wound to dry for 10 to 45 days depending on its thickness and temperature to allow healing and callous formation so as not to rot the plant.
Once the cactus has dried out, prepare a soil mixture specifically designed for cacti and plant it. Usually this involves pushing one-third of each cutting into the mixture (cut end down) and tamping down. You may also wish to consider including rooting hormone in your mix; though this step is optional.
After planting your cacti in a bright location and giving them time to settle and grow, light watering should be performed until roots develop; once these appear, water more rarely and only when needed; otherwise overwatering can cause root rot, one of the major causes of plant loss.
After several weeks, your cactus should be ready for transplanting into its permanent home. Depending on its species and season, this could occur as early as June or late as August. Until it establishes a strong root system, make sure it receives plenty of light and sparing watering.
