How to Clone a Growing Totem Cactus

The totem cactus (Lophocereus schotti f. monstrose) is more correctly called the totem pole cactus. It is a columnar cactus with irregular bumps along the sides that resemble faces. The formations are characteristic to cacti that did not form ribs but have raised swellings along the stem instead. The monstrose form of the cactus is a vegetative reproduction that doesn't flower or form seed. It must be propagated vegetatively, which produces a clone or exact replica of the parent plant. Cloning cacti is fairly easy and vegetative reproduction takes place often in nature without human intervention.

Sharp knife
Alcohol
Sand
Small pot
Toothpicks

Instructions

- 1
  Remove any offsets. These are new stems from the plant's base. Only the monstrose form of this cactus produces these. Use a sharp knife wiped with alcohol to cut them from the base. Finesse is not necessary, but make a clean cut.
- 2
  Take a cutting if no offsets are available. Remove a section of 2 to 6 inches from the plant's top. The cut quickly heals. Lay the section you removed on a flat surface indoors to dry and callus. It usually takes two weeks, but add a week in high humidity.
- 3
  Fill a pot with sand. Insert the cut end of the cutting or offset into the sand until the callus is immersed in the medium. Don't plant more than 1/2 inch under the sand.
- 4
  Prop up the cactus with toothpicks and place the pot in a sunny area where temperatures are at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Rooting takes place faster in warmer temperatures.
- 5
  Water the cactus after a week has gone by. Apply only a slow drizzle of water that moistens the top 2 inches of sand lightly.

How to Transplant a Columnar Cactus

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Growing Cactus