How to Cut Cactus When Grafting

Even though cacti are resilient plants that tolerate neglect, sometimes they fall victim to disease and pests. If you catch the problem early, before it spreads to the entire plant, you can cut and graft the healthy plant tissue onto a rootstock to save your cactus. If you simply want to propagate cacti, grafting is a simple way to do so. These succulents respond well to grafting when you follow the right steps for cutting and connecting the two pieces. Select a rootstock with a 1-inch diameter.

Sharp knife
Alcohol or nine parts water and one part bleach
Rootstock
Rubber bands

Instructions

- 1
  Sterilize a sharp knife, dipping it in alcohol or in a solution of nine parts water and one part bleach.
- 2
  Cut the rootstock 3 inches above the soil line with the sterile knife. Make a straight horizontal cut through the cactus and discard the plant's top.
- 3
  Slice a healthy stem off the cactus you intend to propagate. Choose a round piece with a 1-inch diameter, if available, to make it easy to fit it on the rootstock. This piece is known as the scion. Place its cut end on the cut portion of the rootstock, making sure some of the tissue from both plants is in physical contact. Use rubber bands going over the scion and under the pot to push the scion towards the rootstock. Remove them after both plant pieces become united, which takes one to two months.

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