How to plant a cactus: reproduction by children at home, how to take, properly separate and root the process with or without roots, what to do next, photo is given

Cactus is one of those plants that can multiply by processes. Moreover, "children" can be without roots: the nature of the succulent is such that it is unpretentious and has an increased ability to survive in any situation.

We will analyze in the article how to grow succulent at home from a shoot without roots, and also consider how to separate and root a “baby” with roots and what to do if it does not take root.

Advantages and disadvantages of the method

Propagation of the cactus by the shoots has several advantages: this method is simple (even beginners can do it) and economical (it does not require special cash costs). But there is always a risk that an exotic plant simply does not take root in latitudes with a temperate climate, especially if the shoot does not initially have its roots.

What season is the best time to propagate?

The cactus shoot can be planted throughout the year.but still the best time is the spring-summer period. The fact is that the homeland of succulents are countries with a hot climate. The temperature regime, the duration of daylight hours during spring and summer are close to the "native" weather conditions of this flower. In addition, any plant in the warm season undergoes a phase of active vegetative development, which will greatly facilitate the process of rooting succulent.

In late autumn and winter, you can also try to plant an adult cactus baby, but you must remember that the young plant will need additional care: providing enough light, observing the temperature regime.

Selection and preparation of land for planting

Priming

Ordinary garden soil is not suitable for rooting and growing a cactus. A special substrate for succulents can be purchased at a flower shop, the main components of which will be river sand, humus from leaves and turf, peat and all the necessary nutrients.

If it is not possible to purchase this mixture, then you can cook it yourself:

coarse-grained river sand, garden soil, peat combined in a ratio of 1: 1: 0.5;
You can add a little crushed dry leaves and foam balls.

Drainage

A necessary component of the internal filling of the pot, into which the cactus will be planted without roots, is drainage - a layer of certain materials that helps to drain excess water during irrigation. The drainage volume should occupy a maximum of 1/5 part and a minimum ½ part of the tank. Drainage may consist of:

expanded clay;
pebbles;
small pebbles;
broken brick;
broken polyfoam;
pre-cut wine corks.

Pot selection and preparation

Material

Many gardeners advise planting succulents in plastic containers., since plastic is a substance that does not absorb water and does not change the temperature of the soil placed in the pot.

Fans of all environmentally friendly can calmly plant succulent in a container of clay or ceramics.

It is better if the pot is light in color so that the soil in it is less heated.

The size

Cacti grow in arid climates, so they have a long root system. Therefore, when choosing dishes, it is necessary to take into account the fact that its root system needs space, which means that tight and small dishes for planting will not work. Preference should be given to wide and deep dishes, in which the roots of the plant will feel free and will receive a sufficient amount of moisture and nutrients.

The main condition that the cactus pot must meet is the presence of drainage holes to drain excess water. Otherwise, the liquid that accumulates at the bottom will contribute to decay of the roots of the succulent and, therefore, will lead to its death.

How to take a shoot with roots, what to look for?

Before planting the process, you need to select and prepare it. "Kids" are formed on the cactus itself in the process of its life. They can be located both on the top of the plant and below, at the very roots, it all depends on the type of succulent. Separating them from the mother plant is not difficult, because they are connected to the stem minimally. While still on an adult cactus, the processes of most types of succulents begin to produce roots. In addition, over time, the shoots can fall off and, falling to the ground, begin to develop their root system, so reproduction takes place without problems.

When choosing a shoot for transplantation, it is important to pay attention to its size (the large one is stronger and more viable), its location (it is believed that high-quality shoots grow closer to the top of the plant).

Also can be propagated by cactus and "children" without root - it will not cause special difficulties. In any case, the process is placed on a clean, dry sheet of paper and placed for 3 days or 1 week in a dark and cool place to slightly dry the cut site (this is done to prevent the process from decaying). Read more about all methods of planting a cactus without roots, read in this article.

Photo

In the photo you can see a cactus with "kids":

Step-by-step instruction: how to plant a flower and a process with or without roots?

Let's consider in more detail, how to transplant processes without roots or with roots from an adult plant.

Separate the processes from the mother plant with a sharp knife or with tweezers.
Despite the fact that the “children” are not firmly attached to the mother plant, nevertheless, the shoots must be separated very carefully: if the smallest particle of the “baby” remains on the cactus, the plant can rot and the sprout does not take root.
Prepare everything you need for planting: pot, soil, drainage, dried processes, scapula.
Put a drainage layer on the bottom of the pot.
The rest of the space in the tank is filled with soil, which must be moistened.
In the center of the pot you need to make a small depression.
In the recess, place the "baby" of the cactus with the slice down, without dripping. If the "baby" with the roots, then after placing them in the recess must be carefully straightened.
Slightly need to squeeze the earth with your hands in order to fix the process in one position. You can’t bury it deep!

To prevent intense evaporation of moisture from the surface of the soil, on top you can put small pebbles or sea pebbles.

How to care for the first time at home?

After planting a cactus, the container is put in its place, the choice of which should correspond to the variety of succulent. Since cacti growing in the desert prefer sunny places, but forest ones prefer partial shade. But unequivocally, all cacti do not tolerate the lack of sunlight, causing the deformation of plants or even their death.
The first 5 to 7 days after planting, the cactus does not need watering, you can daily lightly spray the plant with standing water at room temperature to prevent it from completely drying out. Later, after starting watering, it is important to ensure that the soil is not wet all the time, it must remain slightly dried. The frequency of watering is 2 times a week, and as it grows older it must be reduced to 1 time per week.
During irrigation, it is necessary to ensure that the shoot is not budged, otherwise unstable roots can be injured or even break.

What to do if it does not take root?

Generally cactus can be called unpretentious plant, it easily takes root in the ground. But on one condition: if no errors were made during the preparation and landing. So, if the process is not sufficiently dried before planting, it will rot in the ground and it will be impossible to correct the situation.

If the shoot for planting is too small, then it will most likely just dry out without letting the roots. "Baby" should be large enough, it must have the necessary supply of nutrients.

And of course, all conditions necessary for the maintenance of succulents must be observed:

do not fill it with water;
Do not place in a dark and cold place.

Otherwise, the cactus will simply die, never having time to grow.

Each flower is beautiful in its own way. AND Behind the prickly view of succulents are flowers of unprecedented beauty.. Therefore, a cactus is a welcome exhibit in the collection of many flower growers, since it is not difficult to breed plants with shoots.