How To Propagate Cactus From Cuttings

1. Prepare cactus cuttings

A good mother plant is required for cactus propagation. Choose a healthy mother plant that is free from pests and diseases. Choosing the best cuttings increases the odds of successful propagation.

2. Clean and let dry the cuttings

Clean the cut from any dirt and let the cuttings dry for a while. This helps to prevent potential diseases to the cut. Do take note that cuttings are vulnerable to bacterial infection and rot. Always use a sharp and clean knife to cut the cutting. This can reduce wounds on the mother plant and the cutting.

Dip the cuttings into rooting hormone and make sure that the cut is covered with a thin layer of rooting hormone. Rooting hormone powder contains auxin hormone which helps to stimulate root growth. This type of hormone accelerates the plant's growth by stimulating the cuttings to switch from producing green stem cells to manufacturing root cells. Typically, your plant may take up to 3 weeks for root formation if planted without the use of rooting hormone powder.

In the market, there are two forms of rooting hormones available - powder and liquid. Many gardeners find that the rooting hormone in powder form is easier to use compared to liquid form.

Use a medium that is loose, well-draining and has good aeration for newly forming roots. You can start cuttings in perlite, vermiculite, sand or a mixture of peat moss and the aforementioned items. If you are not sure, you can simply buy good premixes in the market. Remember to choose a high quality and clean medium (free from pest, disease and foreign items) for the safety of the cuttings and yourself.

It is a ready-to-use potting media for your cuttings. It is free from pest, disease and animal manure, and it contains peat moss, coco fibre and perlite. The mixture is suitable for the growth of propagated plants as it provides good drainage and aeration to the cutting.

5. Plant the cuttings into the soil medium

Plant the cutting into dry soil media. Avoid watering the media and the plant for 2-3 weeks or until you can see new roots. Otherwise, watering too early or too much can cause the cutting to rot. Place the cuttings under a shade but make sure that there is sufficient indirect sunlight, and avoid moving around the pot or touching the cutting.