Propagating the Pencil Cactus
Take a cutting of a green branch around 6 inches long, and dip it in fresh water to stop the flow of sap. Then, allow the cutting to dry for about a week and form a callous over the cut end before potting it in moist succulent or cactus potting mix.
One may also ask, how long does it take for pencil cactus to root?
Put the potted cutting in bright, indirect light, where the temperature is around 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Allow the potting mix to dry out half-way down the pot before you add more water. Check on the rooting progress after 30 days.
Regarding this, can I cut the top off my pencil cactus?
Remove any dead, damaged or diseased branches. This will both tidy up the plant and promote new growth. Determine the shape and height you would like for your plant. Then use pruners or sharp, heavy scissors to shape the plant as desired by cutting off the branches above a node.
Does pencil cactus need full sun?
As these plants evolved in dry climates with lots of sun, keep your Pencil Cactus in a bright location for maximum growth. This plant will not tolerate low light conditions. Direct sun, or plenty of bright ambient light from a western, eastern, or southern facing window is ideal for this plant to thrive.
How much sun does a pencil cactus need?
Full sun and temperatures of at least 65 F. (18 C.) or warmer are necessary when learning how to care for a pencil cactus. Pencil cactus is easy to grow. It will need water approximately every two to three weeks in summer but no water in winter.
Do pencil cactus like to be root bound?
It should be about 1 to 3 inches wider than the circumference of the root ball. The pencil cactus thrives when it is slightly pot bound, according to Master Gardener Linda MacPhee-Cobb of Herself’s Houseplants.
Is pencil cactus poisonous to humans?
The succulent, found across San Diego County, is toxic to humans, dogs, and cats worldwide and can cause serious intestinal and skin injury, according to The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
How do you start a new pencil cactus?
How do you make a pencil cactus bushy?
Cut the plant back to the desired height and width if it becomes too large for its container or space in the garden. Cut back to a branch union to conceal the cut. You can also cut branches to stimulate new branching and give the plant more of a bush form.
Is a pencil cactus poisonous to dogs?
The pencil cactus, or Euphorbia tirucalli, is toxic to humans, dogs, and cats worldwide and can cause serious intestinal and skin injury, according to The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
Why is my pencil cactus droopy?
Over-watering a firestick plant causes the succulent stems to become droopy. The fleshy stalks may lose their green, red, or yellow colors and turn an unsightly gray or brown color. To help revive an over-watered pencil plant, don’t water it until the soil dries out.
