Crazy Cactus Hack: Secret to Growing Cactus Fast / Cactus Care Ep. 03

[@theplantprinceph]

Hello Plant Friends, You can further support my channel by joining our channel membership. kzbin.info/door/BjIYJ-I6UrluJXNDHYN5tQjoin Q: When does the channel membership start and finish? A: The channel membership starts the moment you join and remains active as long as you maintain your subscription. It is a recurring monthly subscription that supports my channel and provides you with some perks. You can cancel your membership at any time, and access to members-only content will continue until the end of the billing period. Keep in mind that any perks or benefits received during your membership, such as badges or emojis, are yours to keep even if you decide to cancel. Q: Where does the fund go? A: Your membership fees play a crucial role in supporting the growth and improvement of the channel. The funds directly contribute to various aspects, including the purchase and upgrade of equipment to enhance video quality, acquiring new cactus specimens to feature, and covering the costs associated with organizing and filming engaging garden tours. Your support allows us to invest in the channel's overall quality and content, ensuring a better viewing experience for all members. Q: What are other ways to support the channel? A: Thank you for considering additional ways to support the channel! Apart from channel membership, you can show your support in the following ways: Like, Comment, and Share: Interact with our videos by liking them, leaving thoughtful comments, and sharing them with friends and family. This helps increase the visibility of our content. 2. Subscribe and Hit the Notification Bell: Subscribing to the channel and turning on notifications ensures you never miss an update. It also helps us reach a broader audience. 3. Provide Feedback: Share your thoughts and suggestions. Your feedback helps us understand what you enjoy and allows us to improve our content. Remember, your support in any form is highly appreciated and makes a significant difference in the growth and sustainability of the channel. Thank you for being an essential part of our community!

[@yaddahaysmarmalite4059]

I'm very grateful for you to share this secret technique. When I started collecting/growing cacti 20 years ago, this technique was not well known and I never learned about it till recently. your video has been the most informative I've seen yet. Thank you.

[@theplantprinceph]

Thank you so much! It is mostly done by Thai, Japanese, and other East and Southeast Asian countries. Sadly, most Western people will raise a brow with this trick. They are not open with this idea since they are not used to it, but from our experiences this trick really does help in growing healthy cacti. Of course exception are large cacti grown outdoors in direct soil. This is only done for potted cactus.

[@yaddahaysmarmalite4059]

It makes sense to me to trim the roots because it likely is taking advantage of how plants decide to grow their roots. When the roots don't find nutrition, the plant tries to grow roots in other areas where it does find nutrition. So, when we trim the roots, we tell the plant "none of your roots are finding nutrition. now you, the plant, must grow new roots somewhere else." and so the plant does. That's how I understand what is going on here.

[@tomaeu30]

Very interesting trick, I have a question, the plant must be mature or it can apply to small cactus? And another question is how often should I do ? I will try whit common cactus in the spring because it's fall in Europe now. It needs to water before? After cutting haw much time to wait until plant ? And after planting, after haw much time should I water?

[@kes1171]

Yes root trimming does work for cactus . Works for Lithops too.

[@1neAdam12]

Root pruned all mine for the first time 6months ago. Absolute success, with them all.

[@theplantprinceph]

I’m glad it worked for you. Thank you for watching!

[@desertplantsofavalon]

This was so interesting and informative about root pruning Cacti, thanks so much for sharing with us XXXX

[@theplantprinceph]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much! 😊

[@acebalwayan]

Just got my first sets of gymnocalycium and astrophytum. Your videos has been very helpful for a beginner like me ☺️☺️☺️

[@theplantprinceph]

I'm so glad my videos helped you. Thank you for watching! 🤗

[@6nounouche]

Thank you for the tip. (I live in a wet and cold area) . I love cacti and gonna do this to my protégés 🌵

[@theplantprinceph]

Thank you so much for watching! Glad you liked the video.

[@dotapwnar]

Thanks! When I repot after the trimming should I water right away or let it settle in the new mix/pot for a few days?

[@MINZZA]

Mister how much time does it take for the roots to grow as they did in the past? And should i report the cactus in a big pot or the same pot ?

[@theplantprinceph]

Do this during their growing season. Usually, within a week, roots will begin to emerge from the cactus. Within a month or two, they will have grown many robust and healthy roots. You can repot in a bigger pot if the cactus has outgrown the current one. If there is still room for growth in the same pot, then you can keep it in the same pot.

[@MINZZA]

@@theplantprinceph Thank you so much 🤍

[@jimini1976]

Great info👍. I live in upstate NY, I just did this to most of my cacti collection(around 500. Need to count again, replanted a bunch of cuttings. I will be moving them into my basement for winter any day, 6 months in,6 months out. My basement is around 45-50F all winter with only a few small windows for natural light. I have trimmed roots in Fall and Spring and haven't lost any plants.🌵🎍🌱🪴

[@MrGreenpaulo]

Hi, how did the root trimming go? Any update? Cheers!

[@jimini1976]

@@MrGreenpaulo My plants were moved back outside around the last week of April. Everything survived and 60% of my cacti have new pads already starting to grow. A few nights were 29 degrees F since I moved them back out, They didnt seem to mind the cold.✌🌵

[@swatigokhale9495]

Very useful information. I did this with my mature echeverias but never with cactus.

[@e-notik]

Thank you for the video❤, I saw multiple Thai videos when cacti owners just cropped roots but no one explained why

[@thegreenzone365]

Really useful video buddy.. I learnt a lot from it. Thanks..

[@theplantprinceph]

Glad it helped! Thank you for watching!

[@JoseGarcia-oc7dj]

Thank you so much for all your great tips! I hope you have many more subscribers in the future!

[@spicychilicrisp]

Great informative dialogue and visual presentation.

[@theplantprinceph]

Appreciate your feedback. Thank you for watching!

[@leonaelgas1353]

Ang gaganda ng mga cactus...

[@theplantprinceph]

Salamat po 🤗

[@bhanudevgan5]

Very useful information. Thank you very much, great technique!!!

[@theplantprinceph]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching.

[@rajdeepsingharoy2532]

Hey there! I have a few questions regarding my 9-month-old Astrophytum seedling. How often should I water it? Many cactus growers have told me that seedlings need more water than mature cacti. With winter approaching, what should the watering routine be? Also, should I graft them onto a rootstock before winter?

[@Phat_Plants]

Thank you again for your teaching

[@theplantprinceph]

You are very welcome! Thank you for watching also.

[@tessiewoodward19]

Great info, thanks for sharing.

[@theplantprinceph]

Thank you for watching!

[@donnamarshak3397]

Am just learning. Thank you so much

[@theplantprinceph]

Thank you also for watching!

[@afridahhossain]

Hello friend your videos are just 🌵🔥 Could you please make a video for the beginners who need more confidence in if their plants are moving in the right direction? Root health with examples from different types of cacti and succulents. For example showing like if your purchasing a 3cm Turbinicarpus pseudopectinatus what would good roots look like and how does it differ from a large bunny ear. How do you identify mites, bugs, eggs. Or the beginning of a downfall. What if a certain plant you ordered was never in good shape over all its life and you just had no idea cause Its not showing overhead. Sounds daunting. Soo an all rounder like this. Advise that would be invaluable from a genius like yourself :)

[@theplantprinceph]

Thank you for your suggestion. I’ll try to keep these in mind when planning on making a video.

[@afridahhossain]

@@theplantprinceph super Thankyou :)

[@leonaelgas1353]

How beautiful are your collections of gymnocalycium and astropythum...

[@theplantprinceph]

Thank you 🤗

[@kenplant91]

Hey just found your channel. Your videos are great. You really fill them with useful info and the editing/B roll is perfect. The music is ok but could be a bit longer/less looping. Thanks for the help!

[@marlynmurillo4717]

Where is ur location here in the Philippines

[@theplantprinceph]

Thank you for watching! I appreciate your suggestion, I’ll try to find longer background music.

[@theplantprinceph]

Hello, I’m located at Arayat, Pampanga.

[@aleximonroy9674]

Very good videos bro!!! You already had time that you did not upload videos, do not abandon us !!! Saludos 🇲🇽🇲🇽

[@theplantprinceph]

Thank you for your support. I’m currently on hiatus right now, but I’ll come back as soon as I can.

[@ShyDog827]

This was great. I didn’t know young plants needed more organic matter, and I will follow your instructions for mammillaria. Great tip on the diotomaceus earth. I’ll start using it👍🏻

[@theplantprinceph]

I’m glad my video was helpful. Thank you so much for watching!

[@Gilberto_K]

Very complete and informative video. Thanks!!

[@theplantprinceph]

Thank you for watching! I’m glad it helped.

[@Vegan_Cactus_Man_Denmark]

Great video, thanks for sharing 🌵🌵🌵 Cheers from Denmark 🇩🇰

[@theplantprinceph]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching!

[@manospitarakis]

Great video and technique!!! Very helpful!! Thanks for sharing!! Wish you best and happy flowering period!!

[@theplantprinceph]

Thank you for watching! You too! 🤗

[@treehuggernz]

Hi there. And thanks for the great video. Would this technique also be appropriate for Euphorbia? Horrida, Polygona, Obesa etc … Thanks again.

[@theplantprinceph]

Yes, I did this with some of my euphorbia.

[@chrishill5166]

Very good tutorial, thank you.

[@theplantprinceph]

I’m glad you like it. Thank you for watching!

[@AntonioDellElceUK]

would this work with Gasterias? I have a few that already quite large but would be happy if they grew even more.

[@theplantprinceph]

I haven’t tried this with gasteria since I don’t have any. But I do this with my Aloes and Haworthia.

[@mb7721]

how does the cactus treat after root trimming?, such as watering schedule and when is it ready to apply ferti?. Thanks

[@theplantprinceph]

I start watering the pot after 3-5 days. I make sure to only moist the soil mix, after a month or two that’s the time I get back to full watering. I apply foliar fertilizer after 3 months, but I usually put slow release fertilizer upon potting them.

[@mb7721]

@@theplantprinceph thanks for tips

[@smritimoydas463]

Am Your New Subscriber 🙌 Please Make Video On How To Germinate Seed, How Collect From Flower & Plant Them 🙏

[@theplantprinceph]

Welcome to the channel. Thank you for watching! You can browse the other videos, I have video about pollination, and seed growing.

[@fisherwitch]

Is this appropriate for succulents?

[@dhirendrarathour7657]

Very informative video Thanks

[@theplantprinceph]

Thank you for watching!

[@هديرس-ع3م]

Thank you very much, great video🌹🌹🌹

[@kklee7124]

Dear Print. I need help. I have a big astrophytum I love that cracked opened. May I know possible reason?

[@theplantprinceph]

Either because of overwatering or sometimes it’s the genes of the Astrophytum. You can check this video, discussed about Astrophytum with cracks: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5OxpJispNmdi6c

[@anitacb1784]

Thank you

[@theplantprinceph]

You're welcome! And thank you for watching!

[@danielashford2430]

Very nice video, thanks and peace…

[@theplantprinceph]

Thank you! Happy gardening!

[@serpico2206]

Great video. Can this be done every cactus species or is it for some species only. Thanks

[@theplantprinceph]

Yes, you can do this to most cactus except for those big cactus since it would be difficult to trim their roots. I usually do this with small cactus when I want them to grow fast.

[@marlon5272]

excellent video. a question, any recommendation to make soilmix for ariocarpus?

[@theplantprinceph]

Thank you! I don't have an Ariocarpus yet, but I'm planning to buy some. Anyway, one of the Thai grower I follow use this soil mix: 5 parts decomposed leaves (acacia leaves) 10 parts pumice 1 part perlite 1 part vermiculite 0.5 part sand 0.2 Systemic insecticide 0.2 Slow release fertilizer Here is his IG account incase you want to see his collection. He's one of the famous Ariocarpus collector and breeder in Thailand. instagram.com/cactocarpus_mr.baso?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

[@theplantprinceph]

He also have a KZbin channel. But there are no English Subtitles: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnqyeYiAfamkbsk

[@marlon5272]

I hope it will be soon, your videos are very good, greetings from Guatemala. Thanks for the shared information.

[@theplantprinceph]

Thank you so much! I appreciate your feedback and support. 🙂

[@walterblanc9708]

very interesting I shall try with the next Cactus I repot, It sounds noncommonsensical but I will have a go and plenty of comments saying its a good thing.

[@theplantprinceph]

You should try it!

[@walterblanc9708]

Well it definitely did not kill the cactus and it seems fine. How do you give your cactus a rest in the tropics? I am in Malaysia so I guess it would be the same for me.@@theplantprinceph

[@theplantprinceph]

@@walterblanc9708 when the weather here starts to get cold and dry, and the daytime is shorter, I usually start uprooting them, then trim the roots, and place them for a week in a bright area before planting them again. If they are not due for repotting, I just withhold watering during cold and dry season, and short daytime.

[@louistruong1573]

After apply rooting powder we leave it dry for a week ? You said cinnamon powder work too ? Do i have to keep it in wet soil after 1 week outside ? I have a gymnocalycium that wont root back after i trimmed their root😢

[@theplantprinceph]

Yes, you have to make sure the wounds are dry. Gymnocalycium roots are small, so I let them dry for less than a week. When the wounds are healed and the plant is already potted, keep the potting mix moist but not soggy to encourage root growth. Place the plant in a sunny area, but protect it from intense sunlight. As long as it is healthy, Gymnocalycium is one of the cacti that grow roots quickly when they receive the right amount of sun exposure and moisture.

[@Lim_]

Solid video, salamat!

[@theplantprinceph]

Maraming salamat din po sa panonood.

[@cactussubconscious5588]

Thank you for this video

[@theplantprinceph]

Thank you for watching!

[@edithmateo1599]

Thanks again for the information and tips. What will you do on the used soil after repotting?

[@theplantprinceph]

I use a strainer to separate the pumice from the organic components. I usually reuse the pumice, I just wash and sun dry them for a week. For the organic components, I use it for my other houseplants.

[@patsya9826]

Hello! I do hv couple of astros but they seemed to grow slow. I already trimed The roots but still The same size 3cm in diameter😅, any Tips or other fertilizer that i should give them? Could you share to us pls? Cos you got lots of big and beautiful astrophytum..thanks in advance!

[@theplantprinceph]

For the fertilizer, I just put slow release fertilizer. I use either Osmocote 14-14-14 or Azelai. I also make sure that the soilmix is acidic so the Astrophytum will be able to absorb the nutrients. Sunlight is also important, I make sure that they received atleast 8 hours of full filtered sunlight. I made a care guide for my Astrophytum. You can watch it here: Astrophytum Cactus Care and How to Make them Flower kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5OxpJispNmdi6c If you have any specific questions feel free to ask.

[@FirmFade]

Where are those black pots from?

[@theplantprinceph]

Thank you for watching! You can check it here: mycollection.shop/plantprinceph 🤗

[@asch4597]

The roots are turning orange and mushy is that normal?

[@theplantprinceph]

If it’s turning mushy then it’s probably root rot. But if it is just orange then it’s normal.

[@christianrobert2352]

Hello, How do I handle a very Large Barrel castus and do root cutting , especially holding it, because thats my problem. Can you give me some advice😢🎉

[@theplantprinceph]

Hi, I don’t usually root trim large barrel cactus. I only trim them when they are young or when they have root rot. When I trim them I just use pots (the same size of the cactus). I’ll put the pot at the top of the cactus, then flip the cactus upside down. You could also use cardboard to hold the cacti or wear extremely thick gloves.

[@michellechapman6839]

Can you do a video about saving a rotting cactus??

[@theplantprinceph]

I'll try to make one if one of my cactus started rotting.

[@wilsonloald7911]

Does it work for moon cactus? My moon cactus stopped growing because i gave it too much sunlight,do you know how to heal it?

[@theplantprinceph]

No, since moon cactus are grafted. Place the cactus in a filtered or bright area, it will recover soon from the sunburn.

[@TheCalcarAvis]

i recently got 3 large echinocactus grusonii. would you also trim the roots on those cacti?

[@theplantprinceph]

I just try to remove the dead roots if there’s any. If they are too large it’s quite difficult to handle and trim their roots properly.

[@thiennguyen9747]

with the takeroot, do you apply it right after trimming, or after the roots have dried for few days?

[@theplantprinceph]

I apply it after trimming when the wounds are fresh.

[@Northerncacti2021]

Awesome thank you!!

[@theplantprinceph]

You're welcome, and Thank you for watching!

[@andrewvxm]

where can I buy these types of nursery pots and ship to australia?

[@theplantprinceph]

I just buy these locally here in the Philippines. But you could try checking Alibaba, they are called tall slender pots.

[@bhumphries1360]

Do you by chance grow any lithops or split rock?

[@theplantprinceph]

I used to have three but they died after a year. Since then I haven’t tried growing them.

[@deepworld7]

After pruning and repoting when is to water them?

[@theplantprinceph]

I usually start watering them the next day.

[@LAJHS]

Do you establish newly repotted plants by giving small amounts of water that you gradually increase to full drenching? Or is your first watering just as abundant? Sometimes when the roots are not very best in a newly purchased plant, the plant dies after watering (even if it's a s small amount in a 90% inorganic mix, waiting for at least 2 weeks after repotting). What is the best way to approach this then? Thanks

[@theplantprinceph]

Yes, I give the cactus small amount of water then gradually increase it. If it still rot even after you let the roots callus, water them a little bit, and planted the cactus in a gritty soil mix. The problem would be on the cactus. Probably, try to buy a healthier cactus. Some cactus are just weak. This is why it’s important to buy from trusted nurseries or cactus seller.

[@TrenT83]

bro thanks for the video.

[@theplantprinceph]

No problem! Thank you for watching!

[@meikeyoasmr]

Honestly, i always immediately trim the roots without washing or brushing to remove all of the soil. Not sure if that step is necessary since all my astro are doing well 😅

[@theplantprinceph]

It’s not necessary. But I wash them to see if they have healthy roots, for me to properly see what I’m trimming, and to have clean cuts.

[@sanasini2627]

sorry i got some question... what do you mean by giving the cactus rest?

[@theplantprinceph]

Hi, It means giving them dormancy, or letting them take a rest from flowering, or growing. In a tropical country cacti grow all year round. Sometimes some cactus requires to be dormant to initiate flowering. On the other hand, some cacti bloom all year round, and sometimes the cacti that I want to breed don’t match. I observe that by giving them a false dormancy (by trimming the roots), it is more likey for them to bloom in sync and to produce larger fruits and more seeds on the next summer.

[@sanasini2627]

@@theplantprinceph thank you for your reply... one more thing... i just buy astro and carry seed pot... the seller send it to me bare root... is it okay to trim when it carry the seed pot?

[@theplantprinceph]

@@sanasini2627 If the Astrophytum is still in the pot (planted) then wait for the seed pod to ripe before repotting and trimming the roots just to make sure. But if the Astrophytum is shipped uprooted, it is okay to trim the root.

[@sanasini2627]

@@theplantprinceph thank you master

[@BbLeah]

Do you have video on how to bonsai a cacti?

[@theplantprinceph]

I don’t have sorry. But basically just pot them on small pots in a gritty soilmix and give them infrequent watering. Their size is limited to the pot size and water they take, so limiting it will make the cactus small for long time.

[@erikm8372]

Excellent advice. However, I might change the wording (if it were me!) at 6:32, when you said "don’t worry about killing the plant" but then you say "remember that cactus rely on their roots to continue living." That makes it sound like we should be worried! 😂 The truth is, cacti and succulents rely on their LEAVES, for their water storage abilities, that’s why they’re called succulents. Hehe. Roots are simply for attaching, for not blowing away in the wind, or not being pulled out as easily by animals… eventually, as the plant matures, the roots may be used for some mineral metabolism, possibly. But they definitely don’t rely on their roots as much as the tissues in their leaves. Any damaged roots will simply grow back. Damaged leaves never look good again. 🫤 I live in San Diego, California, and many people here who garden already know that roots are, more or less, "optional", with succulents and cacti, especially when you’re planting an arrangement in dry soil. I mean, it’s so much easier to design a mixed arrangement without having to dig holes for roots. It’s so much easier too from a design standpoint, to simply lay your cuttings on the soil, or even on top of the top dressing gravel or rocks. Then there’s no squeezing the pebbles in and around the cuttings.

[@theplantprinceph]

Hahaha, thank you for your insight! 😅 I should have worded it more clearly. What I meant is that you will not harm the cactus by removing the old and/or dead roots. They will eventually grow back, and when they do, they will be new and healthy roots, which are more efficient. What I meant by “cacti rely on their roots to continue living” is that having healthy roots is important because cacti cannot grow and absorb nutrients without them. They need to get those nutrients before they can store them in their leaves or stem. However, they cannot do this if their roots are old or damaged, which can sometimes lead to root rot. But yes, I agree that I shouldn’t have used the word “rely” hahaha, it made it confusing. Thank you, though, for this. I appreciate it.

[@theplantprinceph]

And I agree planting without roots is much easier.

[@ayie0717]

Hello sir Plant Prince PH,, I have a request can you do a Vid or content for how to apply fertilizer on your cactuses - Thank you!

[@theplantprinceph]

Hi, sorry for the late response. I just got back again in making KZbin videos. I’ll do this topic next. Thank you for your suggestion. 🤗

[@panchitogodinez8034]

Obregonias and Lophophora too..?

[@theplantprinceph]

Yes, you can also trim their roots.

[@mimirose4012]

Thank you, I learned a lot!

[@theplantprinceph]

Thank you for watching!

[@mimirose4012]

You are welcome!

[@melvinbonto9051]

Possible po ba mag root trimming while the cactus has babies?

[@theplantprinceph]

Yes po okay lang.

[@dannypaderes9857]

Where do buy your pots please send me the address i am from New Zealand thanks

[@theplantprinceph]

I bought them from a local seller here in the Philippines. But you could check alibaba, search for tall slender pots.

[@Njfwn1017]

Hello Plant Prince or anyone in the comments! Does anyone have experience with trimming trichocereus roots?

[@theplantprinceph]

Hi, unfortunately I don’t have any Trichocereus in my collection.

[@1dimtim]

not sure you should be cutting the tap root/roots

[@KeKe_nek]

I hope my cactus lives long

[@alessandrocasso9487]

Can you tell me about your soil mix? How should gymnocalycium soil be? Loves from Turkey 🇹🇷🇹🇭🇹🇷

[@theplantprinceph]

Hello, you can check my other videos. I already uploaded a tutorial video for my cactus soil mix. Thank you for watching, and I hope you are doing okay and safe in Turkey.

[@jafersad312]

Do you have Instagram acc.if yes can you mention

[@theplantprinceph]

I do have an instagram account, but I’m currently on hiatus. instagram.com/theplantprinceph?igshid=MjkzY2Y1YTY=