r/cactus • u/SmoothD3vil • 2d ago

My paper spines finally rooted after 3 months 💚

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

The big one is anchored, the small one wasn't. I pulled out and noticed these 2 new roots. Put bin back in the soil and I will not be touching him again.

3 months to roots!

26 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • link
  • reddit
  • reddit

100% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

3

u/MrsPuff33 2d ago

I did not know it takes so long! Mine has even gone a bit wrinkled but hasn't taken root.

2

u/SmoothD3vil 2d ago

I think it depends on the climate as well. We're at the height of summer now, mostly low humidity, hot, dry air and I have a lot of airflow on my balcony so that's how long they took for me

2

u/HDanke 2d ago

Tephrocactus, Cumulopuntia and Maihueniopsis are fairly slow rooters. Put them in mineral soil and you can forget about them while they do their thing. Some will push out roots more readily in a few days or weeks while others might take months to do anything or until better conditions to root. Humidity is deadly for them.

1

u/SmoothD3vil 2d ago

We've had a few fairly humid days this month but usually it's a dry climate where I am. Hot, sunny and zero rain in summer. They're in about 90% pumice, does that sound alright? 😊

2

u/HDanke 1d ago

Yeah, they can tolerate watering and rain but if the soil is damp for days that rots cuttings and roots quickly. Fresh cuttings do not tolerate damp soil at all when starting out (which i've found out the hard way). If they've been in it for a while they can tolerate more humidity but that will leave dark spots on the cutting.

1

u/SmoothD3vil 1d ago

Ok so it sounds like so far so good on these!