how to cut a cactus and replant

Remove small plants from the base of a cactus by cutting through the new plant's base just beneath the soil surface.Lay the cactus cutting on a paper towel in dry location away from direct sunlight.

Place the cactus cutting in an out-of-the-way spot with dry, moderately bright conditions and excellent air circulation. Avoid touching the piece … Let the end of the cactus dry out naturally until the cut callouses over and appears hard and whitish in appearance.

Use a utility knife for smaller species or immature specimens. Harrington's specialties include small business information, crafting, decorating and gardening. Most cactuses do not need rooting hormone, but it may speed up the process.Wear gloves when working with cactuses to avoid injury to your hands. Using one hand to steady the top of the columnar cactus, make a clean cut with sharp clean knife. Dip the blade into a mix of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water for 60 to 90 seconds. Fill in around the roots with your medium and place it in a sunny southeast or east window. Removing the cutting and transplanting it properly prevents damage to the original plant and helps ensure the new cactus grows well.Cut a segment from the cactus with a clean knife, selecting the segment from new growth and making the cut through the segment joint.

Cut a segment from the cactus with a clean knife, selecting the segment from new growth and making the cut through the segment joint. Varieties that produce segmented leaves or stems are typically propagated from these segments. For most cacti species, you will need to repot the plant once its roots begin to show through the drainage holes of your pot or once the crown of the cactus reaches the edge of the pot.

Cuttings can be taken as late as August when working with indoor potted cactuses or in warm climates corresponding to U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 9 and above.Use a utility knife or pruning saw for taking cactus cuttings, depending on the size of the cactus. Pads or leaves may just snap off or you can use pruners to remove them.

Let it dry. Use inorganic rooting medium such as pea gravel, coarse sand or perlite to root the cactus cutting.Treat the calloused end of the cactus cutting with 0.1 percent IBA (indole butyric acid) rooting hormone, if desired. Remove limbs at the branch point but be careful not to cut into the main stem.

This will usually occur every two to four years. Check for diseased portions of your cactus.

Use a pruning saw for larger cactuses.Sanitize the utility knife or pruning saw with a 10 percent bleach solution before using it on the cactus. Select pots with bottom drainage holes so the soil doesn't retain too much moisture.Insert the cut end of the cactus segment piece into the soil just enough so the piece stands upright on its own.

Among important repotting cactus tips is to not water the plant yet, as … Step 4. Set the cactus piece aside allowing the cut end to callous over. Depending on the size of the … Repot your cactus during the dry season, usually in … Too much moisture causes the transplanted cutting to rot.Set the pot in a warm area that receives bright, indirect sunlight. This is the most important reason for deciding to prune. Use heave-duty gloves, tongs or a folded newspaper wrapped around the prickly piece when moving it. Despite their spiny, forbidding appearance, cactuses charm many gardeners with their innate resilience and striking appearance. Let the cutting dry for a few days to allow for the wound to dry and callous over. Avoid making an angled cut since that exposes too much of the soft inner flesh and opens up the cactus to infection.Place the cactus cutting in an out-of-the-way spot with dry, moderately bright conditions and excellent air circulation. Cactus plants can grow new plants from pieces cut from the main cacti. Shake off the old soil and plant the cactus at the same depth it was growing in the old soil. Her published articles have appeared in various print and online publications. Set the tool in the sun to dry completely before using it.Select a 3- to 6-inch-long portion of the cactus for the best chances of successful rooting. Avoid taking very large cuttings since the rate of transpiration will exceed the amount of moisture the cactus is able to take in from the soil.Make a clean, straight cut using the sanitized utility knife or pruning saw.

The length of time it takes for the end to be calloused over varies.

The end must be dry and sealed over. For a big job like cutting back a columnar specimen, use a saw and remove the main trunk at the point at which you would like to see branching or at the height you require the plant.