PROPAGATING TRICHOCEREUS SPECIES
PROPAGATION OF ECHINOPSIS SPECIES (TRICHOCEREUS SPECIES).
San Pedro Cactus, Peruvian Torch Cactus, Achuma Cactus, Bald San Pedro Cactus.
0. INTRO
Echinopsis species are easily propagated by cuttings or sowing.
The instructions below apply to all Echinopsis (Trichocereus) species unless otherwise stated.
So for Echinopsis pachanoi, Echinopsis peruviana, Echinopsis lageniformis, Echinopsis scopulicola,
as well as for other Echinopsis species, forms and varieties.
Propagating Echinopsis Cacti can be done in many ways.
Each method of propagation has its own characteristics, with certain advantages and disadvantages.
Each method of propagation involves certain techniques and tricks.
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1. LINKS
1. Sowing seeds of Echinopsis (Trichocereus) species.
By sowing seeds you can make many new San Pedro Cacti.
Growing up sown San Pedro Cacti (seedlings) does take a lot of time and a lot of effort.
You only know after a few years whether the sown species is actually the right one, or perhaps another Echinopsis species.
2. Cuttings of Echinopsis (Trichocereus) species.
By cutting off off shoots and side branches from the San Pedro Cactus, you can quickly make new San Pedro Cacti.
Let the cuttings dry for several weeks, then pot them up.
Cuttings make new roots within 2 months.
3. Grafting of Echinopsis (Trichocereus) species.
Propagation by grafting of a San Pedro Cactus is almost non-existent.
The San Pedro Cactus grows very well by itself, so grafting is of no advantage.
The San Pedro Cactus is used as a rootstock to graft another special cactus.
The Peyote Cactus is sometimes grafted with a San Pedro Cactus as rootstock.
4. Cloning of Echinopsis (Trichocereus) species with tissue culture.
The tissue of a San Pedro Cactus can be cut into many small pieces.
The cut cells are grown on an artificial culture medium under sterile conditions.
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2. PROPAGATION OF TRICHOCEREUS SPECIES - CHARACTERISTICS
Cutting is the easiest way of propagation.
You then know exactly which Echinopsis plant the cutting comes from.
Sowing seeds is the slowest way, and the most uncertain way.
You don't know exactly which Echinopsis plant the seeds descend from.
Nor do you know exactly which Echinopsis plant supplied the pollen.
Also, the emergence of the Echinopsis seeds is not known beforehand.
The table below lists the characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of each method of propagation.
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3. PROPAGATION OF TRICHOCEREUS SPECIES - CHARACTERISTICS
Cutting a cutting is the easiest way of propagation.
You then know exactly which Echinopsis plant the cutting comes from.
Sowing seeds is the slowest way, and the most uncertain way.
You don't know exactly which Echinopsis plant the seeds descend from.
Nor do you know exactly which Echinopsis plant supplied the pollen.
Also, the emergence of the Echinopsis seeds is not known beforehand.
The table below lists the characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of each method of propagation.
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POSSIBLE
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RESULT
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AMOUNT
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COMPLEXITY
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ADVANTAGES
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CONS
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MAKING
CUTTINGS
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Yes
cutting
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fast
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few
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Easy.
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Same genetic
characteristics as
mother plant.
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Cannot be crossed with
cuttings from the same
mother plant.
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SOWING
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Yes
sowing.
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slow
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much
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Not so easy.
Good conditions needed
Precise and clean
sow out.
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Sown cacti
are mutually crossable.
High yield when the
seeds emerge.
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Emergence varies.
Unknown in advance
which species and shapes
you have sown.
Check regularly.
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GRAFTING
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No.
Trichocereus
species are strong
and grow quickly.
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fast
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very little
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Difficult.
Good technique.
Precise and clean
grafting.
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Faster growth.
Same genetic
characteristics. .
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Trichocereus Cacti
grow fast and well.
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CLONES
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Yes
Tissue culture.
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slow
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very much
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Very difficult.
Good conditions needed.
Good technique.
Tools needed.
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Large number of Cacti
with the same genetic
traits.
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Cacti that are too weak
(‘greenhouse plants’) due to too much protection.
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Allow cuttings to root in the winter months !
The winter months are ideal for rooting cuttings.
Rooting cuttings in winter saves 6 weeks of growing time !
In the coming winter months, the cuttings can dry and root in peace and quiet.
So that after their winter rest they can continue growing in sunny weather as early as mid-February.
Allowing cuttings to dry and root in the growing season takes at least 4 - 6 weeks.
Time when the roots grow slowly, but the top of the cutting does not.
If you then water too quickly when the underside has not yet dried properly,
the underside may rot.
Choose the sure way, and root Mescaline Cactus cuttings in winter!
Buy unrooted cuttings of Mescaline Cacti now.
( Peyote, San Pedro Cactus, Peruvian Torch Cactus, Achuma Cactus ).
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