How to Cut & Transfer a Night Blooming Cactus

Night-blooming cactus, or cereus, is a spineless climbing cactus that produces large white 7-inch blooms during the night. The cactus originates from the Sonora Desert and thrives in pots throughout the western hemisphere. This cactus grows long, vining stems and easily propagates through cuttings. Take several cuttings from a mature cactus and stick them in pots to produce new night-blooming cacti.

Pruning shears/scissors
Pots
Organic compost
Sand
Potting soil

Instructions

- 1
  Take the cuttings from a large, mature night-blooming cactus in spring to mid-summer, when the cactus is in a growth phase. Take the cuttings in early morning for healthy, juicy plant matter.
- 2
  Find sections of the cactus with new growth and no flower buds for best rooting. Cut several 2- to 4-inch-long sections, with 45-degree-angle cuts.
- 3
  Prepare 6-inch pots for rotting. Mix sand and organic compost in equal parts, or use sand-based potting soil, and fill the pots to within 1 inch of the top. Moisten the top 4 inches of soil.
- 4
  Stick the bottom 1 inch of each cutting into the soil, with several cuttings in each pot. Put the pots in sites with bright indirect light and water them with 1 inch of water every week. Too much bright light may burn the cuttings, while lack of light leads to yellowing and dying. Expect rooting in three to six weeks.

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