Can I re-generate Cactus?
Sue Partridge
Posts: 79
in Plants
I have a cactus which is about 20 years old. This month it has finally given up the ghost-dying at the base and splitting open. There is a small plant growing out of the side that looks green and healthy. If I cut it off and plant in some gritty compost will it grow? Thanks for any advice.
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I haven't done it for years, but what I used to do way back in my teens was to snap the baby cactus off the main plant by pushing it downwards until it snapped off - then leave it on the dry surface of the pot for a couple of days until the wound had calloused over, then pot it in a very gritty compost - you can buy specialist cactus compost from most garden centres.
Good luck
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Oh ... make a pad of folded newspaper for holding/handling the cactus if it's spiny
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Sue,the top of your cactus stem may also be still healthy and able to re-generate.
If this is still the case,try cutting small sections of stem from bottom to top.If you
can find healthy tissue,the top section should re-root,then you'll have another plant.
Allow the cut surface to callous-skin over,for several days before planting.
Sue, if I can add to what's already been said. To speed up the callusing process, spray the wound with cold water. Two or three times a day.
Plant into your compost, don't water it. For quite a few weeks. Slightest hint that it feel's spongey , water it. Place it on a semi shaded windowsill.
Thank you to everyone for the helpful advice. I would have had no idea about the callousing process.