Did the cactus break? Excellent news: you can use it to grow another

Did the cactus break? Excellent news: you can use it to grow another, in a simple and natural way, even if you have no experience with fatty plants.

Sometimes it happens by chance. A gust of wind, a vase that falls from the windowsill, a clumsy movement. And that’s that that cactusas beautiful as it is thorny, yes breaking net. At the beginning it seems only a nuisance, that broken piece on the floor. But on closer inspection, it is an opportunity disguised as an accident: on that broken part something new can be born, perhaps even more beautiful than before.

Yes, because among the wonders of fatty plantsthere is precisely their ability to regenerate themselves. Some cactus even manage to take root from a detached portion, without too many dramas. A surprising resilience, which never stops fascinating. So why not take advantage of it? It is not enough: some tricks, a pinch of patience, and you’re done.

It is interesting to note how the Cactus propagation It is a practice that has been handed down for generations, even among those who have never had a garden. Living in the city or in the countryside, with space or without, this technique can be put into practice easily. But how do you really do to transform a broken cactus into a new plant? And above all, what mistakes avoid?

When the cactus breaks: what happens and how to react

Faced with a broken cactus, the first reaction is often despair. But it is precisely here that the beauty of nature comes into play: many species of cactus, in fact, succeed in develop roots also from a portion of stem.

What does this mean, in practice? That the fall part can be reuse To grow a new seedling, as long as you follow some small fundamental step. You don’t need to be expert botanists, just act calmly.

Better to take it calmly. When a cactus breaks, the temptation to plant it immediately can be strong, but it is not the right move. Serve tempo. That piece should be left to rest for a while, resting on a sheet of kitchen paper in a quiet point of the house, perhaps close to a window but away from direct rays. After a few days – or even a week, it depends – a kind of crust is formed at the point where it broke. And that is precisely the natural barrier that protects the plant from rot when it will come into contact with the earth.

What if the portion is small? No problem. Even a fragment of about ten centimeters can give Excellent resultsif treated with care. In particular, cactus such as Opuntia, Mammillaria and Schlumbergera lend themselves very well to this type of propagation.

Once dry the baseyou can proceed with the planting. The ideal soil is the specific one for fatty plants, well draining and slightly humid. Better to avoid watering immediately: at the beginning it is enough to spray some water and wait for nature to take its course.

How to make a broken cactus root: simple guide for anyone

The most delicate moment is precisely that of root. And here some details that make the difference come into play. First of all, it is useful to choose a not too large vase: it must comfortably contain the piece of cactus, but without leaving too much space around. This helps to keep the seedling stable and avoid stagnation.

Key steps:

• Let The broken part for at least 5-7 days.
• Use a soil ben drainingperhaps with sand or perlite.
• Avoid direct exposure to the sun during the first days.
• Nebulize slightly with water every 3-4 days.
• Observe any signs of mold or rot (in that case, it is better to remove the damaged part).

Sometimes that’s enough wait a couple of weeks And, if the conditions play in favor, something begins to move. The first roots peep out shyly, almost as if they wanted to feel the ground before deciding if it is worth staying. It is not a change that you can see immediately, you need eye and a little patience. Maybe after a few months, a green tuft or a new curve in the stem appears: small signs, but full of meaning. And so, what at the beginning seemed only an experiment thrown there, becomes a pleasant discovery. Even for those who, with plants, have always had a somewhat uncertain relationship.

Broken cactus: because it’s really good news

It may seem strange, but when a cactus breaks it is not said that it is bad news. Indeed, often something unexpected from that small disaster is born. There are those who would say that these plants have their own way to teach the resilience: They fall, break and then … they start again. And there is not only talk of gardening technique, but of a deeper message. Reviewing a plant that returns to live for a broken piece has a certain effect, almost as if it wanted to remember that a new strength can be born from a fracture.

Also, this type of propagation It allows you to easily multiply your plants without costs. It is not necessary to buy new varieties, just observe what you already have and make the most of it.

And then, let’s face it, there is also something deeply fascinating in all this. Observe a seedling that comes from a fallen piece, perhaps abandoned on the windowsill, manages to awaken that somewhat childish curiosity that you have when you discover the magic of nature. It is an activity that has almost something therapeutic: it helps to slow down, to detach the thorn for a moment. And if there are children nearby, it can turn into an educational game, simple but full of wonder.

So, the next time a cactus breaks, there is no reason to despair. Indeed, you can see at that moment a small unexpected gift. It takes little to transform an accident into a new green adventure.

It is not just a matter of gardening: It is also a way to rediscover the beauty of small things and the hidden power of resilience.

Photo © Stock.adobe