But raising the temperature of the soil to 25˚C (77˚F) can speed it up. You can also dip the cut surface in a rooting hormone before planting.įor stem cuttings, rooting may take one or two weeks, sometimes a bit longer. When the open cut has callused, plant it in a pot with a well-draining soil mix. Then leave it for several days to callus. Wash and clean the sap off the cutting by dipping it in a glass of water or spraying it away. The best time to take a cutting is in the summer or spring. You also need to be careful not to allow the sap to come in contact with your mucous membranes, like your eyes.Īs much as possible, cut off at the base or branching point.īut if yours is a solitary plant, you can cut it off at the top this will encourage it to produce offsets that you can remove later. To propagate a succulent euphorbia through cuttings, you need to cut an arm off the Euphorbia’s stalk using a pair of garden pruners or a knife.īe sure to wear a pair of gloves when handling the stems to protect you from the plant’s prickly spines and from the milky sap, which can irritate your skin. Sometimes, you will need to water two or three times a week. Instead, give them enough water to provide the bare minimum moisture and to keep them from wilting.ĭuring the warmer seasons, the best time to water your euphorbias is in the evening.īut you can also do this in the morning before the sun goes up and the temperatures rise, and may even be a better idea during the winter months.Įuphorbias that are grown in containers or pots will need more frequent watering in hot weather. In the winter, you need to water your euphorbias less frequently. If it is dry to the touch, you can water the plant again and if not, you can wait until there is no more moisture. To make sure that the soil has dried out, stick your finger an inch or so into the potting mixture and check if it is damp. However, this does not mean that they need it. These succulents can even survive drought, but not for a long period. Succulent euphorbias like it when they are dried out before you water them again. Illustrations by our talented plant stylist, Kailie Barnes.The only strict rule when it comes to watering succulents is not to overwater them. Do not move the plant for at least six weeks - it will take some time to root and until then, it is very fragile. Transfer to soil - Once your cactus cutting(s) are dry, place it in fresh soil and put in a warm, dry place. Rinse and allow to dry - rinse the cutting with cool water and allow to dry. If you are unable to lay the cactus down, you can also achieve the same results with a few extra hands: one person holds while the other cuts.ĭetermine where you will make the cut - If you’re going to cut your cactus, you should generally cut where the “arm” or branch begins. This plant can have a sticky sap that can irritate skin and eyes when cut open so make sure to also wear gloves, protect your arms with long sleeves, and also wear protective eyewear. Prepare for cutting - The safest way to cut your cactus is to lay it down horizontally if possible, and use a sharp, clean, serrated knife. The best way to propagate the Desert Cactus is by using cuttings. Whether your Desert Cactus needs a trim, or you’d like to create new plants, propagating the Desert Cactus is relatively simple (though should be approached with care!). Shop the Desert Cactus at How to propagate the Desert Cactus Your plant will take 2-4 weeks to settle from the shock and adjust to its new home. You may need to use a stake to support the weight of your cactus until it fully roots. Place the plant in the center of the pot, add new soil (be sure to use cactus and succulent potting mix!) and pat down firmly. Get your hands dirty - spread out newspaper on the floor, remove the plant from the pot and shake off as much of the old soil as possible so that you have clean roots. Pot sizing - Find a nursery pot that’s 2” in diameter larger than the current pot. You may also consider pruning instead of attempting to repot. When to repot - When the cactus has grown substantially and no longer stands straight in its pot. Repotting - Depending on the size of your Desert Cactus, you may need to repot it to ensure it has a big enough base to support the weight of the plant. Alternatively, you may use a small hand broom to brush off dust. If this is the case, time to prune! Follow the first step in propagation (listed below) to safely prune your cactus.Ĭleaning - With a damp cloth, gently clean between the ribs once a month to remove any collected dust. Pruning - The Desert Cactus can often grow very tall with many arms, resulting in a “top-heavy” plant that could potentially topple over.
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