If you wonder how to take a cutting from a cactus, read this extensive step-by-step guide about cactus cutting to do it right.

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Cactus cuttings is a bit of a complex process, and it is best to have a few plants to practice on first, but it is worth persevering with rather than not having cacti in your garden. The secret is to take a cutting from a plant that is actively growing but not new.

How to do cactus cuttings right

First, you need to make sure that the plant you are taking the cutting from is healthy, and is not carrying any disease.

I have found that the easiest way to take cuttings from the cactus is actually from a plant that is about to flower. The flowers are going to fall off anyway and you can avoid the risk of putting a cutting back on the same plant.

The time to take cuttings from cactus is in the spring when the plant is in active growth.

Step 1. Select a healthy plant.

The plant should be in active growth and in the spring when it is growing. Make sure that the plant is free from disease and is in active growth. Alternatively, select a plant that is about to flower.

Step 2. Identify the part of the plant that you want to take the cutting from.

The best part of the plant to take the cutting from is the stem. Therefore, make sure that you take the cutting from the bottom half of the plant. When you cut the cutting, you need to make sure that you leave enough of the plant attached to the cutting to allow for proper rooting.

Step 3. Dip the cutting into hormone rooting powder.

The purpose of the hormone rooting powder is to help the cutting to root faster.

Step 4. Place the cutting into a pot of soil.

Use a commercial cactus compost. The pH of the soil should be between 5 and 7.5. Place the cutting into a pot of cactus compost. Therefore, make sure that the cutting is planted at the same level that it was in the soil that it came from.

Step 5. Water the cutting.

Water the cutting thoroughly.

Step 6. Leave the cutting to root.

You should leave the cutting to root for at least a month.

Cactus Cuttings FAQ

1. What type of cactus can be propagated by cuttings?

Most of the time, you can cut a cactus, and it will root. There are a few exceptions to this rule. For example, most of the columnar cacti, such as Saguaro, Organ Pipe, and Barrel Cactus cannot be propagated by cuttings.

2. Can you take any part of a cactus and make it root?

No, some cacti will only root from the top of the pad, some will only root from the bottom, and some will only root from the sides. Therefore, it is best to take a cutting from the top of the cactus for propagation. This is because the most energy is concentrated at the top of the plant.

3. Are there any disadvantages to taking cuttings instead of seeds for cactus propagation?

Sometimes the seeds yield a bigger plant than a cutting. However, there are many advantages to taking cuttings over seed. For example, cuttings are faster than seedlings, they will grow year-round, and they can be used to propagate plants that are difficult to start from seed.

4. Will the cuttings root if they are taken from a cactus in bloom?

Yes, it does not matter when you harvest the cactus for a cutting.

5. How do you get your cactus to root?

Try to give the cactus a fair chance to root before discarding it. Therefore, you can use bottom heat, misting, and rooting hormones to maximize your chances.

6. Can you take cuttings from a rosette?

Yes, cuttings can be taken from a rosette. It is best to let the plant bloom first before taking a cutting, but it is not necessary.

7. When should you take the cutting from the parent plant?

You should take the cutting from the parent plant when the cactus is in active growth. This means that the cactus should be at least 1 year old.

8. What is the best time of year to take cuttings?

Most cacti will root readily from cuttings taken during the spring and summer.

9. What is the best time of day to take cuttings?

Since most cacti need to be exposed to sunlight to root, it is best to take cuttings in the morning.

10. How long will cuttings take to root?

It can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to get a cactus cutting to root, depending on the cactus.

11. Can you put cuttings in water to root?

Many people have had success with this method, but it is not the absolute best way to propagate cacti. It is better to use a medium with high water retention, such as perlite. Make sure that you keep the perlite moist.

12. Can you root a cactus cutting in the water?

Yes, you can root a cactus cutting in water. In fact, many cacti that are difficult to root can be rooted in water. The key is to make sure that the cactus cutting is in water that is a pH of 5.5.

13. How do you keep water from evaporating from the water with the cactus cutting in it?

You can wrap up the cactus cutting in plastic wrap to help keep the humidity high.

14. How do you take cuttings from saguaro cactus?

The best time of year to take cuttings from a saguaro is in the spring or summer. You can take cuttings from the top or sides of the saguaro.

15. Why do cactus cuttings fail to root?

Usually, it is because the cactus was kept in the dark or it was kept too wet.

16. How can you tell if a cactus cutting has roots?

The best way to tell if a cactus cutting has roots is to wait until the cactus is 1 year old, and then check to see if the cactus cutting has roots. Otherwise, you can apply a rooting hormone to the cutting and if roots sprout within a few weeks, then you know you have a rooted cutting.

17. What are the best conditions to grow cacti in?

The best conditions to grow cacti in are outside in the sun in very well-drained soil.

18. What are the best conditions to grow cactus from seeds?

The best conditions to grow cactus from seeds are in the sun in a very well-drained soil.