planting a broken cactus arm
 

Hi, someone gave me quite a big cactus arm that broke off the main plant
about a year ago.

They say it's still possible to plant it and grow it.

Is this true? I've planted arms that have only just dropped off with
considerable success.

I've planted it in cactus compost, I'm just wondering how often I should
water it. And in what quantity. I haven't watered it yet.

Any advice appreciated!

Tom

planting a broken cactus arm
 

On Apr 11, 8:15*am, Tom wrote:
Hi, someone gave me quite a big cactus arm that broke off the main plant
about a year ago.

They say it's still possible to plant it and grow it.

Is this true? I've planted arms that have only just dropped off with
considerable success.

It is very likely to be true. How big is it?

I've planted it in cactus compost, I'm just wondering how often I should
water it. And in what quantity. I haven't watered it yet.

Any advice appreciated!

Sounds like any cut surfaces have already had plenty of time to heal.
I'd mix the compost with grit sand and gravel in about equal measures
to make it even more free draining, and then give it some water (aka a
good drenching). Don't water too frequenly or leave it standing in
water that is the fastest way to kill them. The compost should be
allowed to become almost bone dry between waterings. At this time of
year in spring almost anything will root.

Regards,
Martin Brown

planting a broken cactus arm
 

Tom writes
Hi, someone gave me quite a big cactus arm that broke off the main
plant about a year ago.

They say it's still possible to plant it and grow it.

Should be.

Is this true? I've planted arms that have only just dropped off with
considerable success.

I've planted it in cactus compost, I'm just wondering how often I
should water it. And in what quantity. I haven't watered it yet.

Keep soil just slightly moist, enough to let it know that it's worth
putting out roots, not enough to risk rot.

Any advice appreciated!

I'd be inclined not to 'plant' it but to use a couple of sticks to
secure it on the surface of the soil.

In nature, it would expect to be lying on the soil, and then put roots
out from the end bending down into the soil. But you'd probably like it
to be growing in a vaguely upright position, hence the support.

But you're an old hand at this! Have confidence in your knowledge!

--
Kay

planting a broken cactus arm
 

Tom wrote:
Hi, someone gave me quite a big cactus arm that broke off the main
plant about a year ago.

They say it's still possible to plant it and grow it.

Is this true? I've planted arms that have only just dropped off with
considerable success.

I've planted it in cactus compost, I'm just wondering how often I
should water it. And in what quantity. I haven't watered it yet.

Any advice appreciated!

Tom

Assuming that the cut end had dried out and calloused over, I'd put it in
dry silver sand and leave it in a place that isn't too cool or too
warm(around 15 - 20°C), with reasonable light.

--
Jeff
(cut "thetape" to reply)

planting a broken cactus arm
 

Martin Brown wrote:
On Apr 11, 8:15 am, Tom wrote:
Hi, someone gave me quite a big cactus arm that broke off the main plant
about a year ago.

They say it's still possible to plant it and grow it.

Is this true? I've planted arms that have only just dropped off with
considerable success.

It is very likely to be true. How big is it?

Big, 6 or 7 inches long and about 2.5 wide.

I put it straight into the only pot available - one without a hole in
the bottom.

I think it would be best if I move it into one with drainage so I can do
soak / totally dry out cycles (this has worked before). Would anyone
disagree with this?

Thanks very much for the replies.

Hi there,

It is possible.

May I ask the type of cacti?

Thanks