OK I have this long skinny cactus you may remember me asking about a few months ago. I got it off freecycle & I do not think it is going to make it. The very bottom part near the soil is all wizzened & shrunken up. So I do have one healthy offshoot that I would like to use to start a new one. Can anyone tell me how? I remember something about drying it first so the ends are dried?
Ellen LaFleche-Christian
Lilac Hill Homestead / Vermont
http://tinyurl.com/lpfaf
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Hi Ellen and all,
You can snap off the offshoot if it's really a side-branch or shoot, and
then let it air dry in bright indirect light for three or four days, and
then plant in cactus potting soil.
If it's a stem end rather than an offshoot, you can cut it off, WELL
ABOVE any part that is rotted or damaged (leaf some "good part" behind
to make sure you're far enough away from any diseased/rotted sections)
and then let it air dry in indirect light for several days and pot up in
cactus potting soil.
Let us know what you do, and how it works out. If your new little
piece/offshoot roots, I'm sure it will make a nicer plant since you will
grow it in more sun than the skinny free plant had been grown in.
Send in some updates and be careful around those spines!
Grant
________________________________
From: houseplants@yahoogroups.com [mailto:houseplants@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of Ellen Christian
Sent: Friday, February 23, 2007 11:26 AM
To: houseplants@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Houseplants] Cactus question
OK I have this long skinny cactus you may remember me asking about a few
months ago. I got it off freecycle & I do not think it is going to make
it. The very bottom part near the soil is all wizzened & shrunken up. So
I do have one healthy offshoot that I would like to use to start a new
one. Can anyone tell me how? I remember something about drying it first
so the ends are dried?
Ellen LaFleche-Christian
Lilac Hill Homestead / Vermont
http://tinyurl.com/lpfaf
---------------------------------
We won't tell. Get more on shows you hate to love
(and love to hate): Yahoo! TV's Guilty Pleasures list.
It's an offshoot. I don't have cactus potting soil. Can I use regular potting soil?
Ellen LaFleche-Christian
Lilac Hill Homestead / Vermont
http://tinyurl.com/lpfaf
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I was at my dreaded Wal-Mart store the other day.
They were carrying potting soil for cactuses at a
reasonable price. Big bag for one cactus though.
Does anyone else think just adding lots of sand to
regular potting soil, and making sure there is
wonderful drainage is a good alternative?
Heather
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Cacti naturally live in nutrient-poor soil. I have kept cacti in reptile tanks growing just fine in landscaping sand. Water almost never and fertilize less.
Mike
Heather
I was at my dreaded Wal-Mart store the other day.
They were carrying potting soil for cactuses at a
reasonable price. Big bag for one cactus though.
Does anyone else think just adding lots of sand to
regular potting soil, and making sure there is
wonderful drainage is a good alternative?
Heather
--- Ellen Christian
wrote:
__________________________________________________________
Sucker-punch spam with award-winning protection.
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Hi Ellen,
Is this your first catcus? and are you growing it indoors or outdoors?=20
Mary,
www.FreeGardeningBooks.com
Hi Mary,
It isn't my first cactus but it's the first cactus that I'm trying to grow a baby from. It's growing inside.
Ellen LaFleche-Christian
Lilac Hill Homestead / Vermont
http://tinyurl.com/lpfaf
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Hi Ellen and all,
Cactus soil is the best option, but if you don't have access, or don't
want to buy some for just one plant, regular potting soil should work
okay as long as you make sure the pot has very very quick drainage
(which means when filled with soil the pot and watered the water quickly
emerges out the bottom). Unglazed terracotta would be the best pot too
since it's porous and helps water evaporate from the soil faster.
Good luck and keep us posted!
Take care,
Grant
________________________________
From: houseplants@yahoogroups.com [mailto:houseplants@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of Ellen Christian
Sent: Friday, February 23, 2007 1:00 PM
To: houseplants@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [Houseplants] Cactus question
It's an offshoot. I don't have cactus potting soil. Can I use regular
potting soil?
Ellen LaFleche-Christian
Lilac Hill Homestead / Vermont
http://tinyurl.com/lpfaf
---------------------------------
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Browse Top Cars by "Green Rating" at Yahoo! Autos' Green Center.
thanks mary
~*~Louise~*~
----- Original Message -----
From: Mary Schaffer
To: houseplants@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, February 26, 2007 11:28 AM
Subject: [Houseplants] Re: Cactus question
Hey, ok i found a article for you which will def. start you in the
right direction. http://www.rain.org/~sals/cactus.html
If you have any more questions, let me know..
Mary,
www.FreeGardeningBooks.com
If you have any more questions, let me know..
Mary,
www.FreeGardeningBooks.com
i got an easter cactus and i love it....i took a leave from it and will plant it in soil tomorrow..how long will it take? what should i look for?
thanks,
~*~Louise~*~
1. Let the leaf dry out for half a day or even one day to form a bit of callus
at the base. Because the leaf is succulent (thick with water), it won't die.
And the partly dried callus will prevent it from rotting when you root it.
2. Use a light well draining soil mix. I wouldn't use straight soil from the
ground. What you use should have plenty of sand, vermiculite or perlite
(those shiny or white little particles in soil mixes) in it. They allow
better air penetration in the mix & drain excess water well. Cacti aren't
heavy feeders & don't need rich soil mixes so it will be good to grow it in
too.
3. Make a little dent into the mix that you're going to insert the leaf into
so you don't have to press the leaf down hard into the mix. You don't want to
bruise it. Then, insert the leaf just a little into the soil to hold it in
place - maybe about 1/8th of the length of the leaf.
4. Firm the soil gently around it, water well & allow to drain so it doesn't
stay soggy. Only water it when it dries out again. Because no growth will be
going on at first - just development of roots - it will need little water -
just enough to keep the soil from drying out. Don't put in full sunlight
right away but you can after a week. Put it in a bright spot & leave it be
except to check for dry soil.
Roots will take anywhere from 2-3 weeks to start forming but you won't see it
happening. You'll only know when you start to see new little green growth
starting on the top end. But as long as the leaf stays green & plump looking
(isn't dry, wrinkled & withered), it will be fine. It can stay in the same
pot till it forms lots of new growth - maybe all summer depending on how fast
it grows. Once it's actively growing, you can water a bit more but let the
soil get almost dry each time before you water it thoroughly again.
Judy
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thank you Judy..i got the leaf and let it sit on a table all night...this
morning i put it into the pot with soil...the leaf does not feel plumb, its
a new leaf that grew? should i cut another one to insure it will grow?
anyway, i put it in regular house plant dirt, i will change the soil, and
put the cactus one into the pot and replant..
i am going to pring out these instructions..
thanks!
~*~Louise~*~
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