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Rooting Rat Tails
Rooting and care of Aporocactus flagelliformis cuttings.
Instructions for rooting cuttings of Aporocactus flagelliformis.
A.K.A. Rat Tail Cactus.
Allow the cut end of the stem to dry completely.
Ones you receive from us are adequately dried and healed.
They have been treated with a fungicide and root growth stimulating hormone.
Use a mixture of sand and peat (50/50) is best.
Do not use garden soil as it contains bacteria and fungi spores that will be harmful to un-rooted plants.
This mixture needs to be almost completely dry.
Place the cut ends of the cuttings into the mix.
Place the cuttings and mix in an area that is brightly lighted, but without exposure to strong direct sunlight. Another term for this is "bright filtered sunlight".
They need the light to produce roots, but until they do produce roots, they have no way to obtain moisture. Keeping them out of strong sunlight reduces the moisture demands of the plants.
Once the cuttings have produced roots to the point that they resist being pulled from the mix, they can be watered lightly and later transplanted into a container filled with a potting mix. Most any peat based,well draining mix is OK. We use our cactus and succulent mix that contains peat, vermiculite, sharp sand, wetting agents, fungicide and fertilizer. Fertilize only after the plants develop roots. Fertilizer will damage un-rooted plants.
During the rooting process, if the cuttings seem to be shriveling, it's OK to mist them lightly. Do not over-moisten the mix though.
Your plants should be ready to transplant within about two weeks.
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