Cactus with split stem?.....best solution please!

[quark1]

I have a cactus - unnamed - and the only one I've ever kept going for the length of time I've had it - over 7 years!

It was bought as 2 pairs of small ball-like structures (nicknamed - 'my boys' when still at work! Oh I've a dreadful sense of humour - but no offence intended!) but has now grown to around 8 inches in height. One of the 'spikes' I've noticed has a split stem - despite being careful with watering and feeding.

Knowing sweet 'fa' about what I should do next or the potential for the damaged plant - how can I make best use of 4 - one damaged - cacti plants? And can the split stem be cut and replanted (for new plant) from the 'good bit' uppermost or better cut off and let the lower bit (with roots etc) try and start again?

I know about using newspaper bands to help in transplanting to reduce PAIN and damage to plants! There are also 3 babies - we are a grandmother! - should these be plucked off at the same time as repotting or left in situ?

Vey interested to read any tips you might have - thanks!

[shirlthegirl43]

Could you post a picture please? Nick is the cactus guru and I am sure he will be able to help you.

[quark1]

Thanks for the reply Shirlthegirl - I don't have a working camera at present - but I'm working on it.

I'll post a pic as soon as I'm able (couldn't do a Vivaldi spud for this (2007) years' comp as a result!) and in the meantime I'll look for knowledge from Nick!

Nick the cactus guru - any educated guesses in 'lack' of a pic?

Cheers.

[nick the grief]

Thanks for the reply Shirlthegirl - I don't have a working camera at present - but I'm working on it.

I'll post a pic as soon as I'm able (couldn't do a Vivaldi spud for this (2007) years' comp as a result!) and in the meantime I'll look for knowledge from Nick!

Nick the cactus guru - any educated guesses in 'lack' of a pic?

Cheers.

It is defo down to watering. If it is infrequent it will cause this to happen - I've done it with one of mine.

It won't heal up as such but may grow out depending on what sort it is. If it is the sort that can be cut off & re rooted you need to cut it cleanly off, dust with sulphur or hormone rooting powder leave to callous over for a week or so and then sit it on a very gritty compost ofr better still Tesco's cat litter ( it's not the sort that goes mushy when wet - might be lightweight not sure) and it will need to stay there unmoved for around 12 months or more so is it worth the hassle?

As to the pups, you can treat these in the same way but just twist them off and leav for a week and then sit them on the medium of you choice. Failing that PM me your address and I'll send you a few seedlings to play with as I've got to cutt down from the 600+ in the greenhouse due to lack of space

[quark1]

Many Thanks Nick - I'll try out your suggestion/s.

Is there any better time to do this - or so long as your don't change the ambient temp the plant is used to living in - any time will do? I'd guessed it might be to do with watering. I've always tried to give just an eggcupful 2x per week in summer and 1x per week in winter - but I guess I must have overdone it a bit during the summer last year - or even the one before when it was very hot and dry. I also keep in the smallest possible 'comfortable' acccommodation as I'm sure I read somewhere that they like to be cramped.

That's just a 'small' collection you've got there - must be quite a magnificent sight! I may well take you up on your kind offer of seedlings. I bought a pack of misc seeds from T&M last year and haven't yet got round to starting them. Perhaps a few babies from your collection might encourage me! I love your term of calling them 'pups'. If you can give me a couple of weeks to sort out what I'm starting off veg-wise etc - I'll be able to let you know how much space I have - thank you so much for this kind offer.

As you seem to be the forum expert on cacti - do all cacti potentially flower - even if only once in a lifetime - or types like mine which produce offshoots - use that as a single method of propogation?