How to Cut Up My Cactus to Propagate

It can take years to develop a fully mature cactus from a seed due to the slow growth rate of the plant. Gardeners get good results from propagating cacti cuttings. You can cut your cactus into several pieces and root the plant in your home. Propagating cacti through cuttings allows you to share your plants with friends and family or add to the collection you already possess. Cacti require less water than other plants, making the rooting process slightly different than other plants. According to the University of Arizona, for successful propagation, take cacti cuttings when nighttime temperatures stay above 60 degrees.

Things You'll Need

• Protective gloves
• 2 cups potting soil
• 2 cups coarse sand
• 2 cups peat moss
• 1/4 cup bone meal
• Powdered sulfur
• Growing tray
• Sharp utility knife

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Cut column cacti with a very sharp knife at least 3inches from the top. If you take more than one cut from the column, make the top cut straight across and the bottom cut at an angle to easily recognize which end it up. You must keep the top end up when propagating.

   • 2

     Remove whole pads from leaf- or pad-type cacti, such as prickly pear and jade, with a sharp knife. Make the cut where the pad attaches to the rest of the plant.

   • 3

     Break off 2- to 3-inch sections of cacti that grow in sections, such as Christmas cactus. You can also cut the section from the plant using a sharp knife.

   • 4

     Dip the wounded section of the cutting into powdered sulfur. The sulfur protects the cutting from rotting.

   • 5

     Set the cuttings aside for several days until a callous develops over the wound. You can set the cuttings in a bright window, or out-of-the-way area in the greenhouse.

   • 6

     Mix the potting soil, coarse sand, peat moss and bone meal together to make a cactus potting mix. Moisten slightly with water and mix well. Stick the cuttings into the potting mix and set in a bright window. Do not water again until you see new growth.