Can I Cut The Top Off My Cactus
Camila Farah
As a rule succulents do better in pots that have drain holes but this is not required.
Let the top portion completely callous along the cut before potting in fresh dry cactus mix. Set it aside for a couple days to a couple weeks then replant in a cactus friendly medium. Methodically cut a pad setting it to the side safely and continue. Always cut at an angle flat cuts lead to pooling up water in the center which in turn can lead to fungal and or rot problems.
Dead flower stalks and leaves are compost but some varieties of cactus produce leaves on the flower stem which can be treated the same way as the pads of other species. Any offsets or pups that you cut away from the base of a specimen are new plants in their own right and should be potted up immediately. Do not simply cut across a pad to remove a section. Make the cut at least 2 inches above the rotted plant material.
If this seems a bit harsh on your plant you can also use a sharp knife or scissors to remove the segments. Cut the shriveled part off up to the green firmer healthy looking part of the cactus and set to grow a heel or scab over the wound where it was cut. Now on the end that you cut off take a razor knife or a sharp knife and scarify the end that was cut. Scarifing means that you take the end of.
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If you are pruning a christmas cactus to reduce its size you can remove up to one third of the plant per year. Step 2 leave the cut cacti piece on its side indoors in a cool dry spot for 24 to 72 hours or until the cut bottom of the cacti piece dries and callouses over. For this type of cactus you want to make cuts at the joints near the base of the pads. From the outer edges work your way inward cutting just enough to either remove all dead or diseased portions or get the look you are wanting.
You dont really need rooting solution either they root with out it. Cut stems and trunks should be allowed to callus at the end for several days and then can be planted to create new cactus. Cut off the desireable length and take it to a table. Beyond the standard procedures of cutting you should soak the cut portion the part you plant to put under the ground with super thrive once the cut is healed.
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