I can only relay what I have learned:

Elmer's waterproof wood glue http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/1644343/laura-special-thank-you-for-aftercare-of-pruning-with-wp-glue?n=12

use Alcohol to clean blade for each cut. Some use Cinnamon or fungicide in the area but the glue also helps with that. Let it dry. Some hang it for a couple of days before they plant. Don't fert right away. Are you going to spread the roots? and or cut the top? Others will chime in soon

That is great of you Marica to post this and I will see about finding the info that I have and will post.

Arash, I personally have not tried this yet. I have info from a number of people and will post for you to view.

Rick

Cinamon or wood glue is fine or notting works too. Let dry a few days to a week. I use coconut fiber but now i am using coars sand and potting soil mix. A disk, rock or a pot under the plant. Some slow releas fertiliser.

I think that organic mix works better than griity mix for roots spread.

This one was cut a few months ago and placed on a plastic strip.

Thank you Stuart! Thanks for letting me know about the gritty mix, i didn't think it would work so I glad you confirmed.

These are the materials I have at home, can you let me know what you suggest for best potting medium please? If anything is missing I will gladly purchase it:

- cactus & palm soil

- organic potting soil

- coco coir

- perlite

Regarding fertilizers, I have DynaGro Foliage 9-3-6 and Pro-tekt. Which slow release would you recommend?

Thanks everyone!

The gritty mix is a verry good mix but i am not sure if you want to cut the caudex for root spreading or only the tap root? Foliage pro is perfect but not for a cut caudex and it is not a slow release fertiliser. Search for a controled or slow release fertiliser 3-1-2 npk ratio with all macro and micro nutrients

Sorry I should have clarified, I want to cut the caudex for root spreading just like the picture you showed. Which soil blend would you recommend for that?

Thanks Stuart

Coco coir and perlite 1:1 or cactus soil and perlite 1:1. Moisten the mix before planting. Water lightly after mix is a bit dry. No need to put fertilizer yet.

Good luck Arash!!

Cinnamon, fungicide and glue are used for what? are they interchangeable?

Do you put the glue on and then hang to dry or do you hang to dry and then put the glue on?

Do you pot it with the glue still on or do you remove the glue? thanks for any info...

A few times i put noting. The glue or cinamon act as fungicide and rooting powder. The are interchangeable. Glue or cinamon first than hanging. Don't remove glue.

The little guy with both the top and bottom cut off - isn't it now like a cutting taken from the parent plant?Will this affect its chance to survive?

My success rate to root a cutting is only 10%.

No it isn't. Success rate to root from the cut caudex is 100%

Thank you Stuart...

Wow. You were pretty mean to that little guy. I only use wood glue for pruned parts that are above ground.

Ok repotted! It was left to dry for a few days, now the little guy is ready for his new home. I used a 50/50 cactus mix & perlite as the medium for now. I also made a couple incisions at the base of the caudex and applied some clonex to help promote root growth.
He's now sitting on top of a deli cup wrapped in some nice moist soil :)

When should I water? Should I apply the same watering principle as per other DRs with roots? Or do I water more or less frequently?

Thanks again for everyone's help!

root training · More Info

Arash: Thanks for posting I like to read about you trees. Please keep us updated. Where are you located, do you know you grow zone?

Just moisten the soil when the top layer is dry. If the mix is feeling moisten right now you don't have to water it for a few days

What is the styrofoam for? And Thank You Stuart, you've helped me a lot

Is to hold the plant on it place. For support.

Very interesting............will be checking this page for more updates

After everything is done do you cover it with a bag or leave it out in open air and in the shade

What a fabulous thread! Arash and Stuart, please share a 3-month update (next month) on your very bold April prunings. I am dying to see the results.

Arash, what was the age of the tree you pruned?

I like this thread, interesting step by step. Everybody could learn.

Thank you all.

Marie