SOS. My variegated prickly pear is doing well (just produced a new pad) but one of the pads (on left) has dropped to a 50% angle. Not only am I worried about it throwing the plant off balance, it's awkward looking. Am thinking of chopping & propping. Have propagated succulents from leaves but never a cacti pad. Thoughts and or tips?
I haven’t been good with cactus propagations, although it sounds easy, but I’d like to offer another solution: If you’d like to rehabilitate the affected limb, you can give it a sling and it will callus itself back to adhering to the plant. I did this for my cactus, and attached, before, rehabbed, and after pics
The time between rehabbed and after is about a month and 2 weeks
1 j'aime Wow! This is a great suggestion & one I never would have thought of!!! Thanks so much. PS-your cactus is rad!!!
2 J'aime OK, she's slinged up. It definitely tore the pad connection a bit so I guess that's where it'll callous?
Torn area. Should I treat it with anything? Root hormone? Keiki paste?
That sling looks great and should callus. Give it a month or two and gently remove the rubber band to see if it’s sticking.
0 J'aime
You can absolutly chop and prop. I recently did that to my brazilian prickly pear and they are all thriving and exploding with new growth. I try to always use the twist method to remove them from the OG and let them callous for a few days and then drop them right into dirt with supports till they take root. Dont water when you plant them. Wait a week or two so the roots can start to form and search for water. Then give them a good soak and drain.
OG Mother for reference. She was gettung skinny and those 2 were weighing her down. She has also plumped back up a bit
I like how she’s giving me the finger😂
I absolutely love that im not the only one that thought that😆😆
3 J'aime The sling worked! Woke up this morning & it had busted through the rubber band after 2+ months in place. It's the arm on the right.
