How To Graft Cacti

 Despite sounding like a difficult process grafting of cacti is relatively straight forward. The reasons for grafting can be:

• To save a damaged plant that is suffering from rot or similar misfortune
• To accelerate growth of say a particularly slow growing species
• To produce offsets in order to distribute plants rapidly
• To save a particularly rare, delicate or special specimen

• A clean sharp blade such as a razor blade or scalpel
• A Cacti to graft onto (stock plant)
• The cacti to be placed on top of the stock (scion)
• Elastic bands, micropore tape or ladies stocking for applying gentle pressure and keeping the scion in place
• A plastic bag to place over your grafted specimen

Remember that the stock plant must be in full growth with a well established root system. Ideally so should the scion although this is not always the case. Depending on your needs the following are some likely varieties for stock plants:

• Perekopsis, this proto- cactus does not look like other species but is extremely fast growing and is particularly suitable for the grafting of tiny seedlings. Be warned however that the grafted scion may quickly outgrow its stock plant and may need regrafting onto more durable stock or re-rooted or sufficiently established.
• Selenicereus- another fast growing stock that is easy to propagate. It doesn't grow quite as fast as Perekopsis and will provide a suitable stock for longer. Even so so the scion will outgrow this after a year or two at most.
• Trichocereus stock: Such as Trichocereus Panachoi or Trichocereus bridgesii. These columnar cacti from the Andes and Bolivia respectively are excellent for the grafting of rare and slow growing cacti. They provide a stable base that will provide a stock for your graft for a good many years.
• Various other fast growing and rot resistant cacti can be used for grafting stock. Whichever you choose ensure that the plant is well rooted and free of pest or dieseases.

1. Select the seedling or damaged cacti you wish to graft (scion).
2. Sterilise the blade, use isopropyl alcohol or methylated spirits
3. Remove all soil from the scion or cut off above the soil line. If you choose to graft a seedling lift it from the soil (you can graft both root and top) and wash in cool water, allow to dry on kitchen paper or clean surface
4. For extra precaution spray with isopropyl alcohol
5. Cut the stock off approximately 7cm above the soil line, preferable at the top of the plant that is actively growing. Leave the tip in place while you prepare the scion, use can use this later as a cutting if you wish
6. Cut the scion. Make sure you get nice clean strainght cut for step 4 and 5
7. Quickly place the scion on top of the stock
8. Make sure the vascular budles of both plants are in contact a gentle twist will remove air bubbles
9. Apply gently pressure in the case of larger plant.
10. Cover with the plastic bag, seal with elastic band to maintain humidity and prevent your graft from drying out whilst it fuses for about 5 days. You can then remove the plastic bag.

That's it. Leave in a cool shady place for the first few weeks. Do not water until you see signs of active growth.

 Images of the above process will be added soon.