|
Back to the
graft index |
Some
simple suggestions for grafting techniques. |
|
|
Detach
the shoots
[ click the single picture to enlarge ] |
|
|
|
 |
The
Opuntia stock
in the first year produces
numerous
shoots, they are very easy to detach when still young:
Simply push
with your finger and they come off very easily. Don't leave the detached shoots in the
cultivation box because they can take root. If the shoots became too
large a sharp knife is needed to cut them off. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shorten the stock
[ click the single picture to enlarge ] |
|
|
 |
 |
- If the stock is too high it
is possible - for aesthetic reasons – to shorten the Opuntia. This is not
necessary but if you don’t like to see the base of the graft this
method can make it invisible.
- Make the stock shorter
cutting it at 2,5 - 3 cm.
- Place the plant for about a
week in shaded place to let the cut heal over. This avoids any risk
of the stock rotting after repotting.
- Re-pot the plants burying it
in the potting mix for 1,5 -2 cm, but the upper part of the stock (about 1 cm) must be kept
above the surface. (see the enlarged figure
for more details).
- This keeps the graft union
point raised from soil and helps to prevent fungal infections and
helps the Opuntia to grow better.
- After one or two months when
a new root
system has been developed one can also put some gravel
on the soil surface to hide definitively the stock base. Now the
plants looks very natural and can keep growing healthy for many years.
- A month later: a new root system has been
produced, we can pick up the plant and the pot together!
|
|
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 But
is more simple to put
some gravel or some small stones at the base of the plant to hide the
stock and to sustain the graft. This photo (Sulcorebutia
rauschii WR 289 cv. violacidermis) has been sent me by
Paolo Conti
he used lava gravel. Thanks for the suggestion! |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
