How To Mend A Cactus Repair Guide

Difficulty

Very easy

Steps

Time Required

                          20 minutes

Sections

How to Mend a Cactus
9 steps

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Introduction

What you need

Step 1

              How to Mend a Cactus

First, check the status of your cactus by assessing its dryness. If it feels dried out, an extra step will have to be taken.

First, check the status of your cactus by assessing its dryness. If it feels dried out, an extra step will have to be taken.

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Step 2

If the wound is still fresh, you can proceed to Step 4.
If the wound is too dry (feels rough and appears calloused), please proceed to Step 3.

If the wound is still fresh, you can proceed to Step 4.

If the wound is too dry (feels rough and appears calloused), please proceed to Step 3.

Step 3

If the wound seems too dry, use the knife and cut off a thin slice (about a quarter inch) of the dry area of each side of the broken cactus limb.
Remember to always wear protective gloves while handling sharp objects!

If the wound seems too dry, use the knife and cut off a thin slice (about a quarter inch) of the dry area of each side of the broken cactus limb.

Remember to always wear protective gloves while handling sharp objects!

Step 4

Take the broken cactus piece and reattach it carefully to the main body of the cactus.
Make sure to align the cambium (center ring of cactus) on each piece properly.

Take the broken cactus piece and reattach it carefully to the main body of the cactus.

Make sure to align the cambium (center ring of cactus) on each piece properly.

Step 5

Use the string to tie cactus together. A simple string like embroidery floss works fine.
Wind the string around your cactus carefully. Make sure to cross the string over the other, creating a perpendicular line.
Repeat this step multiple times until you have wound the string above and below the wound.
The string should be tight enough to create support for the cactus.

Use the string to tie cactus together. A simple string like embroidery floss works fine.

Wind the string around your cactus carefully. Make sure to cross the string over the other, creating a perpendicular line.

Repeat this step multiple times until you have wound the string above and below the wound.

The string should be tight enough to create support for the cactus.

Step 6

Alternatively, you can take the broken cactus piece to plant a new cactus!
To start the self-propagation process, take the planting pot and fill it with potting soil.

Alternatively, you can take the broken cactus piece to plant a new cactus!

To start the self-propagation process, take the planting pot and fill it with potting soil.

Step 7

Unlike the previous steps, let the broken cactus limb dry out in a shady area in room temperature for about 2 days (or until the end calluses over).
Having a calloused piece prevents the cactus from drying out completely and stops plant diseases from entering and infecting the wound.

Unlike the previous steps, let the broken cactus limb dry out in a shady area in room temperature for about 2 days (or until the end calluses over).

Having a calloused piece prevents the cactus from drying out completely and stops plant diseases from entering and infecting the wound.

Step 8

Once the piece is properly calloused, take the cactus and press it gently into the soil. The piece should be resting slightly in the soil and does not have to be buried deep.
However, if the broken limb is large, bury the cut end of the limb until it can fully support itself on its own in the soil.

Once the piece is properly calloused, take the cactus and press it gently into the soil. The piece should be resting slightly in the soil and does not have to be buried deep.

However, if the broken limb is large, bury the cut end of the limb until it can fully support itself on its own in the soil.

Step 9

Regularly water the cactus by misting the soil. Do not over water since this can lead to rot!
Most cacti take several months to a year to grow back to its original size, so it will take patience to fully allow your cactus to heal.
Cacti grow better in warmer weather, so if you live in a cooler climate, it can take longer than usual.
Once it becomes apparent that the cactus is fully healed, remove the string.

Regularly water the cactus by misting the soil. Do not over water since this can lead to rot!

Most cacti take several months to a year to grow back to its original size, so it will take patience to fully allow your cactus to heal.

Cacti grow better in warmer weather, so if you live in a cooler climate, it can take longer than usual.

Once it becomes apparent that the cactus is fully healed, remove the string.

With the appropriate care of your cactus, it should be fully healed and continue to grow!

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                    Jessica Kim

Member since: 10/26/2018

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Team

                       UC Davis, Team S1-G3, Bender Fall 2018                        

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Crocaffeine Artlova - Dec 27, 2022

Thank you , help me a lot! I accidentally cut off my cactus because i though it was rotten after the plant under it rotting from too much water. Here’s cactus for you 🎉🌵🌵🌵🎊

Introduction#

What you need#

Team#

Introduction

What you need

Team