?growing cactus pads?

[Logz23]

I really want to get some of these cactus pads growing.has anyone started some from some they have ordered.Are they just like other plants where i would expose some of the cambium and sprinke some rooting hormone and plant it in a humidity dome?

 

[Laura]

very easy.. cut the pad in half, let the ends callous, and then stick that end in a well drained soil and water.

 

[Logz23]

im sure the rooting hormone wouldnt hurt, it doesnt need the high humidy cuttings normally need?

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caould anyone suggest a good source for the cactus.I live in Virginia

 

[Scooter]

I don't use rooting hormone or high humidity for mine. I just take the pad and either stick the cut off end in the ground or lay it flat on the ground and water it occasionally. I have done this with 3 pads in a pot and they are sprouting new shoots.

 

[teq1]

My parents have alot growing in the back yard. They are very simple to grow. We pretty much just dug a little bit and threw some dirt on the end of the pad, making sure about half or less was covered. You can just let the pad kinda lay there. In no time, you will have cactus pads growing : )

 

[Logz23]

cool sounds easy, anyone know of a good source for these pads

 

[bettinge]

Unlike most plants, I choose to plant cactus in regular yard dirt, not the good potting soil you can buy. A poor quality soil for most plants is perfect soil for cacti. Be sure not to over water or the plant will rot.

 

[Logz23]

right, they like to dry out between waterings

 

[Tom]

Let the fresh cut end of the pad scar over for at least two weeks. Bury about half the pad, upright, in dry, plain dirt. Don't touch it or water it for about a month. Then water about once a month in winter, if needed, and about once a week in summer. Trim pads to keep it from getting lopsided and falling over.

 

[Logz23]

thanks everybody, i will be ordering some cactus today

 

[t_mclellan]

http://tortoiseforum.org/Thread-Growing-Opuntia-Prickly-Pear