Q: After 12 years my toothpick cactus has finally yielded five flowers for the first time. I am wondering if I could propagate a toothpick cactus, and if so how do I do it?
A: You can propagate the toothpick cactus (Stetsonia coryne) by seed or cuttings. For cuttings you simply cut off a section from the top of a stem using a sharp knife and at a 45-degree angle to protect the parent plant from water collecting on the wound. The size can be anywhere from three inches up to six feet. Square off the cutting, dust with sulfur and/or a rooting compound and leave in a dry airy place to form a callus. This can take one to four months, depending on the weather. August through October is a good time of year to do this part. Next, pot the cutting using standard cactus mix containing 50 percent pumice or perlite and 50 percent peat or compost.
Plant it deep enough that it won’t fall over, filling in with fine gravel to hold it steady. Water once a month or so to keep the mix from completely drying out but avoiding the risk of rot. Leave the pot in a bright spot.
The cutting should root in a month or two although some take longer. Once the cutting is showing signs of active growth you can remove it from the pot and transplant it to another larger one or to the ground where you want it to grow. There is no hurry if you use a one- or two-gallon pot. They can grow in that for up to a year.
Peter L. Warren is the urban horticulture agent for the Pima County Cooperative Extension and the University of Arizona. Questions may be emailed to plwarren@cals.arizona.edu.
