How to Cut and Root a Columnar Cactus

[@YouTube4me]

Thank you for also posting the 3 month later update. I like to see the results over time, too. Great video :)

[@enriquediaz7547]

I really like how you not only show what you do but then provide an update, in the same video, after some time has passed. Thx.

[@fatimamoussa7753]

Thanks for your cooperation and generosity by sharing us not only your experiences but also the results you get

[@CactusCaffeine]

Aww, your welcome. I’m glad you appreciate that. Thanks for always watching! 👍🏼🙂

[@risenfromyoutubesashesagai6302]

The first San Pedro I had, it etoliated during the winter months. I got it late in the year, and left it bare root for a couple few weeks extra in a box on top of the fridge... that mustve been my big mistake as the inner house warmth mustve tricked it into grow season while the roots were exposed. I tried to bring it out with the next few following grow seasons, but it only grew taller and still looked etoliated where the etoliation happened. So I just cut it completely down into several 8" to 10" cuttings, calloused the cut ends, stuck em in soil and had about a dozen new San Pedro pup factories, and I restarted the mother plant at the growth tip. Cacti are amazing in their ability to offset or pup when damaged.

[@CactusCaffeine]

That’s amazing! Now you have a San Pedro “factory”. 😊

[@bideny2]

This is the video I have been looking for! Oh my gosh! My cactus is having the exact same issues. It's tall but much, much larger at the top than at the base so it's fallen over. I couldn't find the info I needed anywhere for if I could cut it off and replant it. Everything was about replanting pups. This video answered all of my questions. Thank you so much!!♥️♥️♥️

[@CactusCaffeine]

I’m glad you found this video useful. 🙂🌵☕️

[@Dove01s]

I am in the same boat! I have been searching everywhere for almost a year for an explanation as to what is wrong with my cacti and why the bottoms weren't growing (they're still nearly the same size as the pups I got and rooted!) while the tops kept getting bigger. I currently have the poor things propped up with stakes. I am SO glad to see this video and finally have answers so I can help them, even if it means trying to make more cacti from them.

[@mgklivisi]

I shall propagate by cutting like you my OREOCEREUS CELSIANUS columnar cactus. Thanks a lot from Greece. Great video, thank you so much , for the great demonstration.

[@CactusCaffeine]

Best of luck!

[@mgklivisi]

Thanks a lot @@CactusCaffeine

[@kathrynbrakefield821]

Great video.. I didn't know what to do. Glad I found you. My cactus have thrived or shrived...fat and tall with babies also tall. Hurricane Zeta took tops off trees and toppled my cactus pots.. Thank you! I can save them!

[@turtlemun]

Thank you for showing how to cut and giving advice on how to replant the cuttings! My columnar cactus is suffering from a lack of roots and some type of weakness on its stem, so propagation is my only way to save my very first cactus baby. Everything I found online about propagation was about leaves or pups!

[@lidijaplestenjak2129]

This is the exact information i needed, thank you very much!! 😊

[@FernandaNascimentoOrchids]

Great job Ana. It happens the same to me with my smaller pots. With the heat the dirt does not get wet when we pour water on it. So, I prefer to dip them in water till it soaks and will repeat only when it is completely dry again.

[@CactusCaffeine]

That is a great tip Fernanda! Thanks for sharing. 🙂👍🏼

[@raidenuchiha6127]

Thank you soo much for this! I have a mini cactus which seems to have gone paler in colouration and had begun to rot from the bottom. I moved it from a area with partial light to a window sill with direct light. So I had to cut it. I also used cinnamon powder to glaze the fresh cut wound 😉 I hope it survives. 🙏🌵

[@mickp607]

That's more good information for us newbies to growing cactus to know. Thank you for sharing.

[@CactusCaffeine]

mick p, thank you for your support. I’m happy to spread the passion of growing cactus. Cheers and your seeds will be on its way soon. 😃

[@frannyfaye2683]

Mmm cinnamon. So many uses. This one is new to me. Thanks. I bet your garden smells Fabulous! Fantastic channel!

[@edithcoliagrandis]

I almost missed this awesome video. Although Darren and I are not really keen on columnar cacti, still nice learning helpful tips from your video. Thank you for sharing, Ana. Have an awesome weekend! 🥰🌵🌺

[@CactusCaffeine]

Thanks Edith! Have a great week ahead! 😃

[@andyroo3022]

I like your videos. I used cinnamon on a small red spines opuntia cutting a few days ago. Opuntia Rufida. I hope it grows like yours did.

[@CactusCaffeine]

Thank you and good luck!

[@JustMyra]

Anna I love the way you give lots of useful information to us . I don’t like cinnamon smell there are times that I feel I’m having trouble breathing . Wow! It did grew some babies in 3 months . Great job Anna!

[@CactusCaffeine]

Hahaha! I’m the exact opposite Myra. I love the smell of cinnamon. I even have a candle that smells like it. 😉 Thanks for watching, Myra. 😀🌵☕️

[@shirleydrts7414]

Hi, Ana. Im new to your channel. I started to love cactusses of any kind. Wht attracted me was the different flowers of each kind. I started with Echinopsis which I was amazed when it gave me flowers. I watched your videos and thanks with all these tips and informations I got fr u. I make a hobby of it slowly collecting different cactusses. Salamat ulit, God bless 🙏

[@CactusCaffeine]

Hi Shirl! Maraming salamat din po. I love echinopsis flowers because they are big. 🙂 Im trying to get more of them. Im happy you are enjoying my videos. I want more people to appreciate cactus and other succulents and I hope you spread the passion as well. 😃🌵☕️

[@PurpleRobot10101]

6:37 same here! I LOVE CINNAMON! But I always make sure to get Ceylon cinnamon for my coffee & my plants bc cassia is ok but not as good

[@CactusCaffeine]

I didn’t even know there are different kinds. Haha. Thanks! ☺️

[@crazycactuscollector2462]

Great video, they grew so well in 3 months. Cacti are amazing 🌵Love your Vegas mug 🌵🌵😊

[@CactusCaffeine]

I was surprised, too at how fast the pups formed. Maybe the weather was just right. Isn’t my mug so cute? 😃☕️

[@DavidRodriguez-jt1ns]

Thank you for such an informational video, I learned something new today about the uses of cinnamon on seedlings, thanks, great video!

[@jennybenton4628]

Thank U Ana I learn so much from all Ur videos each time I watch Salamahpo😊😊

[@CactusCaffeine]

Salamat din po. 😉 I appreciate you leaving your thoughts, Jenny.

[@Uneedmoremeds]

I love your Vegas mug👍. I have one of these that is getting super tall. Thanks for sharing☺👍❤.

[@CactusCaffeine]

Thank you, Ruthie! ☕️

[@Cactimania]

Great video Ana. Even though I don’t have many columnar type cactus I do have one that’s quite thin at the bottom so maybe mine will need to get this treatment. Great how quickly they form new offsets and become propagation plants 😊 Thanks for sharing Ana, from Edith & I, have a fantastic day 🌵☀️🌼☕️

[@CactusCaffeine]

I was surprised, too at how fast the offsets came out. I guess the weather and the temperature was right. Good luck on your cactus and thank you for your support, Daz! Salamat po. 😉

[@H.pylori]

Just found this video. The only plant that I have been able to grow and place in the ground successfully has been this Myrtillocactus geometrizans . My wife had one that had grown so tall it was trying to push up the eaves of my house. So I went to you tube and after 10-12 videos I took knife in hand and made 5 slant cuts and dried the ends and then potted them. Then I did not have your advice about the cinnamon, but the mother plant did fine. Also I did not know about the wiggle test so that I kept my cuttings in the flower pots way too long. Yet, all grew up, and as my other desert garden plants died, I replaced them with the Myrtillocactus geometrizans . They are still doing well after two years but I have so many that they have unbalanced my garden makeup. As we speak, I have three new cuttings from the same mother plant that are into the third day of drying. I will plant them within 48 hours into pots, using the method that you showed in the other video. These videos have been very helpful, thank you. Thumbs up and new subscriber.

[@nattyssucculentlife8462]

Dang Ana you had way better luck then I did. The bottom for my San Pedro just rotted and the tops were starting to as well. So I recut it and ended up throwing away the bottom which makes me so sad. BUT YAY for you and your lovely cacti. They look so great! 🌵❤️

[@CactusCaffeine]

Oh, I’m so sorry about your San Pedro. Maybe your humidity is very high? I remember when you made a video about it. 😌

[@peterstevens6555]

G00D Evening from Auckland, New Zealand it’s Sunday, 24 May 2020.

[@MsMak12356]

Great video - very helpful. I've really developed a thing for cactus and succulents. I have a 6" mammillaria I bought about 3 1/2 years ago that has gotten a bit stretched at various times and has grown into a rather odd-shaped phallic looking structure. So I definitely will follow your video when I "redesign" it.

[@CactusCaffeine]

Oh, thank you and good luck “redesigning” you cactus. 😉

[@toniarussell5266]

Great video, thank you so much , for the great demonstration.

[@CactusCaffeine]

Thank you for watching. 🙂🌵☕️

[@mollycher3630]

Very good repotting, Ana!! 👏👏 Good tips too. 👍👍👍

[@CactusCaffeine]

Thank you, Molly. I appreciate your support. From Las Vegas to Malaysia, CHEERS! ☕️☕️😊

[@myfairyterracegarden]

Good information 😊 😊 Thanks for sharing Nice video 👍

[@CactusCaffeine]

Thank you for stopping by.

[@SSaaNNddYY77]

So happy to find your video! We have a 40 year old cactus of this type and it's over 7 ft tall!!! We finally made some cuttings from it. Like yours, I don't feel as though the water was getting to the top of ours. It has some shriveled areas. The lower part is healthy looking though. We are going to repot it in fresh cactus mix and see what happens! I'll put the cuttings around it then. How often did you water yours?

[@CactusCaffeine]

I only give the cuttings a little water just to introduce some moisture to the soil and encourage it to root. When rooted, that is when I water it deeply whenever the soil is dry. Good luck!

[@sparkfishes]

Well I did what you showed and the cutting from my best columner cacti rotted with in three days . I allowed the wound to calous over! The mother plant I did put cinnamon on I hope that does not die also. The cacti are inside as I am in the UK

[@JohnDoe-ih8ou]

What I do is after the cut I just plant the cactus cutting with small stones barrier between the plant and the soil for aeriation to dry out the cut. It roots in a couple weeks..

[@CactusCaffeine]

That’s great! Thanks for sharing a tip. 🙂🌵

[@JohnDoe-ih8ou]

@@CactusCaffeine Sure No Prob. Keep up the great work!!

[@christianlestergeli8899]

Hello! Did you wait for the cut part to grow some roots before planting or you planted it after it calloused? Thank you so much for the wonderful video!

[@TheExplorersMusicTv]

Watching .thanks for the tips

[@PENNYDROPS]

Great video, thanks!

[@AliRaza-wx5fr]

Thank you so much, i comment before watching. 😁. I badly need this information

[@CactusCaffeine]

Your welcome and thank you for watching. ☺️

[@scottbrady9477]

i grafted a Epiphyllum costarricense to a cereus repandus it has been two weeks and all is good

[@ejbabc]

May I ask why you didn't separate the two bases to give more room for the pups to grow? (They had to grow into the same spot, didn't they??! 🙈🙄😜) Not a criticism. Just wondering! 😉 Such a great video! Loved seeing the progress too! Thank you! Very helpful! 🙌👌😊🙏💫

[@audreyaramouni3424]

Hello! So interesting! Will the cut that you did on the main cactus grow back or will it stay brown?

[@CactusCaffeine]

The cut portion will not grow anymore. But the cactus will form offshoots on the lower arioles.

[@MiscellaneousMichelle]

Awesome video

[@CactusCaffeine]

Thank you. Happy planting! 😊

[@littlebeebs1]

Great video! Did you bury a little bit of the bottom the cuttings in the soil or just set them on top of the soil ? I’m trying to root one now . It’s just sitting on top of the soil . Wondering if I should bury it a little bit . Thank you 😊

[@ArwaShahin]

Hi! Thank you so much for this video! I was wondering how much water do you give your cuttings once you planted them in soil. And when can they see sunlight again? :)) thank you in advance for helping me out!

[@CactusCaffeine]

I just moisten the soil a little bit while there are still no roots. But once I’m sure that roots have formed, then I give them more water. But either way, I let the soil dry in between waterings

[@CactusCaffeine]

I slowly expose them to sun when roots have formed.

[@ArwaShahin]

@@CactusCaffeine oke, so if I understand correctly: as long as there are no roots, they should not be in sunlight?

[@pennylane9155]

Thank you Anna, this is what i need to do to mine which is very much like yours, It is Jan here in Australia and Summer, I just have one question, do i need to keep the cutting, and the base in a protected area out of the sun, or do they go straight out to the sun?

[@CactusCaffeine]

Protect the cutting from immediate direct sun until it roots. The base can stay where they were before, just protect the cut from getting too wet until it forms a callous. 🙂

[@godisgreat8462]

Another awesome video

[@exploringwithmicaela9301]

Thank you 😊

[@jacobstewart1155]

Do you leave you newest cutting in direct sun if they have been acclimated to the sun?

[@elainepyer8280]

Oh this video is exactly what I've been looking for. I have two blue candle cacti that are small at the base and rather full middle to top and they are constantly trying to tip over. Now I know it will be safe for me to do cutting as you have shown. Only problem is its now September in Tennessee so regrowth will be slow but if I don't do it now they will definitely tip over. Any suggestions for upcoming winter?

[@geneeyeoman8253]

Do you sprinkle cinnamon on the parts that you let callus over to replant?

[@CactusCaffeine]

I sprinkle it on top and bottom where I made the cuttings and sometimes even in the roots if I break too much roots when repotting. I sprinkle it while the cut is still fresh.

[@craigkling5125]

I was looking for info on how deep to plant the cuttings.

[@CactusCaffeine]

Deep enough just so it stands. Depending on the size and weight of the cutting, about 1-3 inches above the bottom is ok.

[@Mdxmp5]

I was thinking another solution might have been to bury the stem about 3 inches deep and all of those areoles would become new roots in the future myabe it's an option if it ever happens again.

[@toddstropicals]

That's funny, I just did this today myself!

[@CactusCaffeine]

Hahaha! That is a funny coincidence, Todd. 😃

[@BB-pf2cs]

Cinnamon! Never heard of that haha

[@CactusCaffeine]

Inexpensive but effective. 😉

[@H.pylori]

Are those special gloves thick enough to protect you from the cactus needles? Home Depot or Star Nursery?

[@Aquamarine.Aubrey]

When you put the cutting in soil to root do you want to keep the soil moist or dry? This part confuses me about cactus rooting

[@CactusCaffeine]

Moisture helps encourages roots to grow. If you live in an environment with high humidity, you can root cactus even if your soil is dry. But if you are like me and you live in an area that has dry environment and very low humidity, a little watering every now and then will encourage roots to develop. But avoid having very wet soil if your cactus has no roots yet. It can make your cactus rot.

[@Aquamarine.Aubrey]

@@CactusCaffeine thank you

[@michaelmurray214]

New grower here and just found your channel. I have a question, can you bury the cactus deeper if it's getting thin at the bottom??

[@CactusCaffeine]

I don’t recommend doing that as some cacti are more sensitive to stem rotting when their “trunks” are kept wet (touching the soil). Although I have done that with some Opuntias as they are hardier and just shoots out roots from aerioles buried under the soil. 🙂

[@taniya4116]

Hey when we have cut the cactus so from both sides we have to sprinkle cinnamon powder

[@lajardineraroquetera7342]

Buenos consejos 👍🌵🌹

[@jesusvelazquez6553]

Hi. How many weeks till you put them in soil? And how often do you water them?

[@nicki9knuckles]

Did you also add cinnamon to the cut of the top part of the cactus as well? Or do you let that dry out without any cinnamon?

[@lizetterosser]

How deep into the soil do you place the new cuttings? And should one water right after the cuttings sit in soil?

[@CactusCaffeine]

Just deep enough so they will stand. Water it lightly at first until roots form. Then you can do deep but infrequent waterings. 🙂

[@robinroberts8063]

How do you pot the cuttings? After they dry for a few days just plant??

[@azulgally]

Hi Ana! Why did you just bury it more?

[@CactusCaffeine]

Oh good question. Many cactus can be prone to rot if the body is buried too deep in the soil.

[@azulgally]

@@CactusCaffeine thank you, cacti queen ♡♡♡♡♡

[@jebediahkerman2972]

What is the chance that the mother and the cutting will die?

[@CactusCaffeine]

The cutting has a greater chance of rotting if it sits on a wet soil all the time before it roots. The mother plant should be fine as long as the top cut portion is kept dry until it forms a callous. 🙂

[@jebediahkerman2972]

@@CactusCaffeine so I should make sure the soil is dry until it roots?

[@jebediahkerman2972]

@@CactusCaffeine I made the cut it felt so weird but I now have 12 cacti not 11🥳🥳🥳

[@walterblanc9708]

Sorry did I miss something? No rooting of the cutting?

[@j4120]

Excelente

[@CactusCaffeine]

j4120, thank you for watching my video. 🙂🌵☕️ Cheers!

[@krishrao7338]

did you water them after planting the cuttings?

[@CactusCaffeine]

I watered them lightly whenever the soil dries.

[@aleethomas9800]

Can u use the blue candle cactus for ur hair? What's the benefits?

[@JMJ0125]

Hi Ana. How deep did you plant the cuttings?

[@CactusCaffeine]

Deborah Jacobs , about an inch to an inch and a half. Just deep enough so that it stays upright. 🙂🌵

[@arielluzi4548]

👍

[@JMJ0125]

Cactus Caffeine Thanks!

[@andrearamos9518]

How many days before planting the top part to the soil?

[@sophiagracecatubo]

hi maam i just want to know if do you use any rootting powder for your cuttings?

[@CactusCaffeine]

Sometimes I do but it is not really necessary. Honestly, I don’t see any difference with or without it. Sometimes I use it just because I have it. 😉🌵☕️

[@sophiagracecatubo]

@@CactusCaffeine ahaha ok maam thanks😊

[@gingerblue7774]

I just bought mammillaria bocasana white hair hoot...it still small but the bottom of it doesn't have spine or the hair..can i cut the. Bottom or should i let it grow more bigger then cut?

[@CactusCaffeine]

Hi Ginger! Do you want to cut it just for aesthetics? If you say it is still small, you may want it to grow a little more before taking out its roots. Just to ensure the cactus is mature enough to grow a new set of roots. 🙂

[@kareni8640]

Ana, I’m recently new to your channel. Do you make your own cacti soil mixture? And if you do, do have a video about it?

[@CactusCaffeine]

I do not have a special mix for cactus. I just use a regular cactus soil mix but I add some pumice or small rocks to it. I live in a very dry climate so I start with 70% cactus soil and 30% added pumice/rocks/sand. 🙂

[@kimabeno]

could you do the same with leca?

[@KalodexD]

Do you know any type of cactus that likes low light?

[@CactusCaffeine]

Hmm. That is a tough question. On the top of my head, I can only think of the tropical or rainforest cacti. The epiphytes will enjoy indirect or dappled sunlight. Desert cacti generally require plenty of sunshine. 🙂

[@joannashelton3253]

jungle cactus called rhipsalis that cactus caffeine mentioned. there are several types . “plant one on me” has video on them. fascinating.

[@DARLYNAUDRAIN]

Great

[@CactusCaffeine]

Thank you for watching! 🙂🌵☕️

[@lucasbiaggini]

Today I ignorantly tried to divide my multi-headed cactus as it had completely overgrown its pot and the two oldest heads were already bending from growing in an unbalanced way. As I removed it from the pot and started to untangle the roots, I realised I had just damaged the base of the biggest head, at its thinnest point were it attached to the base. Thanks to this video I sprinkled cinnamon to both ends of the cut and I'm currently waiting for the cut-off head to dry before replanting it. Hopefully it will root back. It's a 5 year old cactus and this head has grown to about 30cm in length.

[@CactusCaffeine]

Oh, good luck. Cacti are very tough and resilient. With proper care, it should root and continue to grow in time. 😃

[@OrchidandKitties]

You put a very nice video. I recently repot my cactus and put up the video too.but after I repot I thought what if it is a rot going on so I un pot, cut where the part is little soft to squeeze right over the root ball.put cinnamon powder and put it to dry.I will repot it soon and see what happen next.by the way I did subscribe your channel too.if you please watch my video and tell me if this really rot.tanks again.

[@CactusCaffeine]

Thank you! I will check your video. 🙂👍🏼

[@idalewis7169]

🎉

[@doomracing5527]

I would have cut the roots and seperate the 2 columns. There was alot of roots to keep the columns growing. Just my 2 cents worth.

[@Rodrigoosornio2023]

👍😉

[@linthoisanayumnam4376]

What type of cinnamon powder do you use?

[@CactusCaffeine]

The type sold in grocery stores and is used for cooking. ☺️ Or sprinkled on my coffee 😉☕️

[@linthoisanayumnam4376]

@@CactusCaffeine Do you mean Chinese cassia?

[@CactusCaffeine]

I am not familiar with the different types of cinnamon but after googling that you could be right. At our grocery store, it is just labeled cinnamon so I don’t know exactly what type it is. But I would think it does not make any difference as long as it is cinnamon. 🙂

[@waynebyerly9681]

OMG ... get RID of the peat. It is NOT, NOT, NOT good for the cactus.

[@succulentdesire1188]

Did you also apply cinnamon to the cuttings, the one you took out and had it dried before planting?

[@MsMak12356]

I'm wondering, too. I guess it can't hurt - cinnamon is a natural antibiotic after all. I'm going to sprinkle on both pieces after separation.