How do I prune this cactus safely?

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

I had this cactus growing in our old apartment where it didn't get a lot of sun. It got leggy and is leaning more and more to the side. In the winter we moved to a house in NJ with tons of sun coming in the windows and a back yard where I can summer my succulents and cacti. I'd like to prune this one so that it can grow more robust and balanced in this better environment but I've never pruned something that looks like this. Do I just cut it at the separation between pads? Anything I need to know about that? Should I then let the cut off part scab over and plant it? Thanks.

Featured Answer

rina_Ontario,Canada 5a

7 years ago

I do not grow these because I don't like glochids...just wanted to mention that any succulent should be slowly introduced to direct, outdoor sunlight - even if it was in sunlit indoors before.

IMO, all succulent cuttings should be let scab over. Could be just a little while, an hour or few to overnight, depending on how big is the area to be scabbed. If my plant, I would cut off at least 2 uppermost pads, maybe more ,and root them separately - but I don't have any experience with opuntias...I would also add lots of sifted perlite or pumice to improve drainage (by lots I mean about half - or more - of total volume).

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

Embothrium
7 years ago
Yes - you can cut it between the pads. However what will make it more robust is adequate light exposure, and not pruning - all the pruning will do is make it smaller.
synonymgirl (NJ 7a) thanked Embothrium
Related Professionals
Middlesboro Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Durango Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Florence Landscape Contractors · Fergus Falls Landscape Contractors · Hempstead Landscape Contractors · Victorville Landscape Contractors · Carson City Landscape Contractors · Marietta General Contractors · Leominster General Contractors · Kalamazoo General Contractors · Brainerd General Contractors · Mansfield General Contractors · Toledo General Contractors · Lewiston General Contractors · Calgary General Contractors
synonymgirl (NJ 7a)
Original Author
7 years ago
Embothrium, I know it will make it smaller in the short run, but I'm hoping that the pads it grows in the future (with more sun exposure than before) will be thicker and more balanced so it isn't so awkward and top-heavy. There's a good chance that will happen, right?
Kara 9b SF Bay Area CA
7 years ago
The old growth will stay as is, but if your Opuntia gets the right amount of light the new growth will grow how it should.
synonymgirl (NJ 7a)
Original Author
7 years ago
Great thanks
Stefan
7 years ago
How to prune safely you ask...

Get tongs. Hold pad with tongs. Use a sharp knife. Discard the pads carefully. And yes, cut at the joints. Make sure knife is clean...