Grafting on Selenicereus
You can graft cactus seedlings on many different types of grafting stock. For small seedlings you can use Selenicereus (or Pereskiopsis) with very good results.
The major benefits of Selenicereus grafting stock are the following:
- Fast growing stock, easy to use
- The grafted seedlings sticks very well, 80% success!
- The grafted cactus grows fast but keeps her natural form
- Selenicereus grafts are very easy to de-graft and root
How to graft your cactus seedling on a Selenicereus stock:
- Take a sturdy Selenicereus cutting and cut it in pieces of 10 cm.
- Let the cuts dry for 3 days and pot them in a good draining soil (3 parts coarse sand and 1 part regular potting soil).
- Take active growing cactus seedlings with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the Selenicereus stock.
- Clean a sharp knife with preferably a 65% alcohol sollution.
- First cut the Selenicereus stock and then cut the cactus seedling just above the roots.
- Gently put the cactus seedling on top of the Selenicereus graft and turn it slightly to remove possible air bubbles.
- Keep your grafted cactus seedling in a shaded position for about 3 days. After this period your graft should be sticking to the stock and you can slowly increase light intensities. Be careful with water. If you over water your Selenicereus stock, just before grafting or just after grafting, the cactus seedling will not stick good and could detach.
The same grafting method can be used for Pereskiopsis stock.
Did you know?
Cactus seedlings like Lophophora sometimes form roots even when they are still attached to their Selenicereus grafting stock.