Those who have a cactus know: they are a little mysterious, silent, but capable of surprising us when we less expect it. And if there is a perfect moment to give them a new life, it is precisely spring.
There are those who believe that years of experience are needed, but often only a couple of careful eyes are enough and a little curiosity. The cactus, when they feel that the climate becomes more welcoming, begin to wake up. Slowly, of course. But those who observe calmly will notice those unequivocal signs: a new sprout, a tip that stretches, a more intense greenery. And there he wants to try. Cut a piece and give it a new home.
It doesn’t take much: a clean tool, a few days of patience, and the will to let yourself be surprised. The beautiful part? It is not said that everything works on the first shot, but when it happens – and it happens – the satisfaction is enormous. Because seeing a plant from a fragment is born is a bit like discovering a small daily miracle.
When making the cactus cutting is really the best choice
If you were to give a title to spring, it could be “season of the second possibilities”. For cactus it is just like that. After months of immobility, they rediscover the desire to grow. And you can accompany them. There is no need to be experts to understand when the right time is: the thorns become more alive, small growths appear, the entire plant seems more toned. It’s as if he said: “Now yes”. Cut in this period means taking advantage of the perfect conditions. The air is warm, the humidity is moderate, and the soil is no longer too cold.
In winter the plants sleep, in the summer they defend themselves from the heat. But in the spring, finally, they let themselves go. And if the mother cactus begins to produce new jets, it is his way to tell you there is. That can be done. And it is worth listening to it.
How to make a cutting of cactus step by step
No tricks from expert nurserymen, just simple gestures made with a pinch of attention. And yes, it can succeed even if you have never done anything like that. The important thing is not to be in a hurry, because with cactus the password is: Wait and look.
Even the details that seem insignificant, in the end, make the difference. A cutting planted too quickly or exposed to the wrong sun can be ruined without mercy. But following these steps, everything changes. You will realize that it is easier than it seems and, indeed, even relaxing.
Here are the main steps:
- Choose a healthy side branchwhich is well formed, either soft or damaged.
- Use clean toolsdisinfected with alcohol to minimize the risk of infections.
- Let the cuttings dry In a shaded and dry place for at least a week, until a protective crust is formed.
- Prepare light and draining soilbetter if composed of coarse sand and specific soil for fatty plants.
- Plant gentlywithout crushing too much, and waits for about ten days before watering.
- Keep the cutting in light, but far from the direct sunat least until it has settled well.
Small tip: if you don’t see anything in the first days, it doesn’t mean that nothing is happening. Nature works underground, in silence.
Common mistakes to avoid (and what to do instead)
Those who try the first time is wrong, almost always. It is part of the game. But there are errors that can be easily prevented.
One of all: water too early. It is the most common and also the most fatal error. The desire to help often ends up damaging. The water, if it arrives before time, makes everything rot.
Another frequent mistake? The wrong land. Too compact, too humid, too rich. Cactus likes the essentials: acknowledged, dry, almost poor. Then there is the sun: put them immediately under a strong light can burn them. We need graduality, even there.
And again: cut in winter, when the plant is in hibernation, it does not bring anywhere. The energies are low, the desire to grow is not. Better to wait. Finally, hygiene: dirty scissors, rusty blades … are the entrance ticket for invisible, but deadly diseases.
Do everything calmly, observe well, learn from attempts. Even those gone badly. Each cactus has its time, and it does not always make itself understood. But when he succeeds, he is a small triumph.
Seeing the first roots appear, knowing that something new will be born from there, it is one of those things that make you smile. Without even realizing it.
Maybe this spring is the right time to try.
Photo © Stock.adobe
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