A cactus touches the ceiling or has a damaged arm? A cut is the solution! Also offshoots can be obtained with a sharp knife. But pruning the cactus has to be done carefully.

In a nutshell

  • Cut off the cactus in the warm season
  • use a sharp, disinfected knife or saw
  • Sprinkle offshoots with charcoal ash and leave to dry for a few weeks
  • plant in potting soil or low-humus cactus soil
  • keep bright and warm, water little, fertilize sparingly in spring and summer

Optimum time

Cacti are known for having thick, fleshy arms. Correspondingly, the wounds that occur after cutting off both the cut off part and the leftover piece are also large. The wet interfaces need time and dry air to fully heal. Pruning should therefore ideally be done during the warmer part of the year, sometime between March and July. No action should be taken later. Especially when cutting offshoots as they need a few warm weeks after planting.

Appropriate tools

A clean, smooth cut is essential for the cactus to survive the procedure in good health. Unlike other plants, pruning shears cannot be used on fleshy cacti. Possible cutting tools are:

  • scalpel
  • sharp knife
  • Serrated knife (for woody cactus arms)
  • possibly a good pruning saw

Tip: The cutting tool must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before and after each cut, for example with spirit. This measure is necessary for both sick and healthy cacti.

space and tools

If the cactus is large or long, you may not be able to cut it off in place. Choose a suitable spot where they can lay it flat. It can also be useful to tackle this task in pairs. Also, get these useful supplies:

  • Charcoal ash for dressing cut wounds
  • cleaned, disinfected cutting board
  • gloves

Theoretically, it can also be done without wound treatment, but it significantly increases the chances of healing. Charcoal ash minimizes the flow of sap at the interface so that it can dry out more quickly.

editing rules

In order to select the interface optimally, you should take a closer look at the cactus. At least 1-2 dormant eyes should remain on the trunk to ensure new growth. The sleeping eyes are usually located near spines or foliage.

  • shorten long arms at the narrowest point
  • Cut back unbranched columnar cactus to the end of the trunk
  • For outdoor cacti, cut slightly at an angle
  • Rainwater can run off more easily
  • Cut the room cacti horizontally
  • Cut back rotten areas to healthy, light-colored tissue
Rabbit ear cactus, Opuntia microdasys

Cut cactus: instructions

In the following instructions we assume a very large cereus, as it presents the greatest challenge. The instructions also apply to all other cacti, slightly modified if necessary.

  1. Have cutting tools and other supplies within easy reach.
  2. Remove the cactus from its planter.
  3. Put the plant pot in a plastic bag and tie it tight. So the earth cannot fall out.
  4. Carefully lay the cactus flat on the ground.
  5. Slide a board under the cactus where it will be sawed off.
  6. Cut or saw up the cactus.
  7. Sprinkle wood ash on the cuts.
  8. Put the shortened cactus back in its place. Before that, there is the opportunity to repot the desert dweller, which has become more manageable, if this is necessary.
  9. Place the cut cactus part in a warm and dry place to allow the cut to dry completely before planting.

Tip: To dry, place the cut cactus tip upright in a sturdy container. Lying down, it can take damage over time.

Plant offshoots

The cactus can only be planted in soil when the interface has completely dried up. Otherwise there is a great risk that it will start to rot due to moisture. Drying is not only mandatory for large cut off tips, but also for every small offshoot.

  • Use a special, low-humus cactus substrate
  • root small offshoots in potting soil first
  • water for the first time after about 10 days
  • Transplant into final pot after rooting

care cactus

Both the newly propagated and the "old" succulent need a care program that takes their special needs into account. Then they can recover optimally from the pruning measure and produce new growth.

  • find a bright and warm location
  • water sparingly and with little lime
  • allow soil to dry between waterings
  • Fertilize every four weeks in spring and summer
  • use a special cactus fertilizer (sparingly)
  • grant some species hibernation
  • repot regularly

frequently asked Questions

Is the sap that escapes when you cut it poisonous?

Don't worry, cacti aren't poisonous. Some species even have edible parts to offer us. Nevertheless, caution is called for when cutting, as injuries caused by spines can become unpleasantly inflamed.

Does the cactus grow better in the sun?

Although cacti love it warm and bright, not all species have a preference for blazing sun! It is best to clarify before purchasing whether a specimen can or must be left in the sun. If the type of cactus is not known, the color can serve as a guide. The darker this is, the darker the location can be.

Can I root a cutting faster if I put it in water?

This method of rooting is not suitable for cacti. Water will not produce new roots, but will quickly rot the offshoot.

Category:

Garden design