Cacti frequently produce offshoots (known as pups) which can easily be propagated to form new plants. To do this, begin by choosing a healthy cactus plant without overcrowding and sterilizing both knife and gloves before cutting a stem off of its mother plant.
This method may take more time and patience, but usually produces excellent results. Plus, it’s an economical way of growing your collection without breaking the bank!
Stem Cuttings
If your large cactus plant is ready to produce new buds, propagate it by cutting stems from its parent. Make sure the end of each cut stem has a calloused finish free from blemishes to ensure the stem won’t rot as roots develop underneath it. Rooting hormone is available at most garden centers or online. Rubbing the cut end of the stem against hard surfaces such as your fingertips or hard plastic cups may help speed up this process of root formation, providing additional speed. Rooting hormones typically come as powder or gel that can be applied directly onto trimmed ends of stems, while some plants will even thrive without them – although using one will increase your odds if trying to cultivate hard-to-root cacti species.
Cacti can also be grown from their pads, the flat, rounded growths on top of a cactus. To maximize success when propagating from pads, look for full and healthy ones; to do this successfully allow it to callous over by placing in direct sunlight for several days prior to propagation.
Once your pad has hardened over, use soilless potting mix specifically suited for cacti to fill a planting container. For increased airflow and drainage, add pinches of coarse sand or perlite for enhanced aeration and drainage. Moisten the soil before placing your pad, and lightly tamp it down before bringing your plant indoors.
When planting the pad, take great care not to disturb any radicles that have emerged from its base. Bury them deep enough into your potting medium that they sprout roots without coming above ground level. Also consider covering your container with a plastic bag in order to retain moisture as you wait for your cactus roots to develop roots; remembering that they grow much slower than most houseplants! Eventually new buds and growth should appear!
Offsets
Cacti houseplants add an eye-catching flair to any interior design scheme, from rooms that feature them as accents to those without. Available in an array of colors, shapes, and sizes – perfect for any space! They boast numerous health benefits, too – such as medicinal uses. However, due to being susceptible to damage or die-back from various causes, proper cactus care must be given regularly in order to keep these plants alive and vibrant – propagation allows you to expand your collection without incurring additional expenses!
Most cacti produce small offshoots (also called pups) that can easily be detached from their parent plant and planted separately and rooted. Some varieties, like Agaves and aloes, produce these offshoots on flower stalks while Echinopsis produce them at the edge of flower buds. Rooting these offshoots is extremely simple and transplanting them is much cheaper than buying seedlings.
Before planting a cacti offset, it is essential to dry it out completely in order to prevent rot in its new soil and allow wounds to heal properly. Once dry, plant into well-draining potting mix that includes coarse sand, perlite or Turface MVP as this will provide optimal conditions.
Once planted, your cacti should be placed in a warm and bright location with adequate lighting. Water them sparingly – too much can cause root rot. Once too large for its original container, repotting may become necessary after several months.
Growing cacti is an enjoyable and fulfilling hobby to pursue year-round, whether to expand your collection or replenish a dying one. Propagation is straightforward and can even novice cacti parents manage it with ease; these steps will show how easily propagation can happen for beginner cacti parents.
Seeds
Cactus seeds provide an easy and cost-effective means of propagating a new plant. Available at most garden supply stores, seeds can often be purchased in packets that contain multiple species. It is possible to grow cacti from their fruits; however this requires much more patience and work from growers. Seeds also make it possible to access rare or exotic cacti that might otherwise not be easily available as plants.
Start by soaking your seeds in water to reduce mold growth and other diseases by dissolving their seed coating. It is also wise to add a weak solution of potassium permanganate into this soaking solution; this will increase germination rates while protecting them from becoming unusable or becoming moldy over time.
Soak the seeds for at least an hour, being careful that they do not become overly saturated. After this step, drain and rinse them before placing in an appropriate container for planting; clay pots work great as they help regulate soil moisture levels; however, plastic seed trays with individual cells or containers with drainage holes at their base can also work effectively.
Fill your container with loose cactus growing medium. An ideal mixture is 2/3 perlite and 1/3 coarse sand; this soil type can be found at most gardening supply stores and should ideally have been sterilized to minimize disease risk and fungal problems.
Cover your container with clear plastic wrap or lid to shield the seeds from sunlight and keep the air warm and humid – the ideal temperature range for cactus seed germination is 70-80 degF (21-27 degC). Some people choose to place their germination container inside a zip-top bag in order to regulate humidity levels more naturally for seed germination. After several weeks you should begin seeing signs of germination.
Water Propagation
Cacti are often propagated naturally via seeds and spores, but gardeners can speed up this process using certain techniques. Stem cuttings, planting offsets or water propagation may all work effectively in helping these succulents spread, particularly those without branches but instead with pads. Water propagation works especially well with varieties with pads instead of branches such as pachycauls.
At its ideal, taking cuttings of cacti for propagation should take place when they are healthy, growing well and boasting plenty of healthy leaves. This ensures the newly propagated plant will receive ample nourishment and can grow quickly. However, during times of extreme heatwave it is advised against cutting plants because this puts extra stress on their resources to withstand such difficult weather and could increase disease and rot risk significantly.
Cacti cuttings should come from any part of the plant; however, for optimal results it is wise to select a segment with at least one node, or point of origin, where leaves, roots and new growth arises. On trailing species like Epipremnum aureum and Tradescantia zebrina this node is easily visible while upright/bush growers such as Epipremnum aureum may require closer scrutiny in order to detect it.
Once the cuttings have been calloused, they should be suspended in a jar filled with water until just below its base. This jar should then be placed in direct sunlight with occasional but not frequent watering sessions as excessive moisture can lead to root rot; to facilitate this, an ideal choice would be a glass jar featuring a tight-fitting lid.
Rooting hormone can help your cactus establish roots more quickly. Once it has established strong roots, the plant should be planted into well-draining potting soil (coarse sand or perlite mixed with Turface MVP is ideal) that drains well. As with all succulents, overwatering your cactus can lead to root rot.
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