newbie cactus growing help (Selenicereus grandiflorus)

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LovedeLitu
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed May 17, 2017 2:42 am

newbie cactus growing help (Selenicereus grandiflorus)

Post by LovedeLitu »

Hi! Im new to the world of cactus growing but I recently received a Selenicereus grandiflorus cutting. While waiting for my soil to arrive, I looked at the roots and thought they looked too dry so I slightly sprayed them with some water. The next day, I looked at my cutting and I felt as though one side started to mold a little bit. I immediately cut it off and now I'm just waiting for it to callous.
So now, I've got several questions I need help with.

1st, here is a picture of the cutting I received.
Screen Shot 2017-05-23 at 7.46.50 PM.png
Screen Shot 2017-05-23 at 7.46.50 PM.png (325.21 KiB) Viewed 1594 times
My question is, which side is supposed to be up and which side down?
Im guessing the side with the most roots is down, making the little part thats branching out face downwards. Which, in a way, makes sense since selenicereus grandiflorus cactus droop out? But Im not 100% sure so I just had to ask.


2nd, a few days after the arrival and after I cut off the moldy part these little scab like things appeared? Im pretty sure it wasn't there when I just received it. Is it normal? Will it affect my cactus in any way?
Screen Shot 2017-05-23 at 10.01.46 PM.png
Screen Shot 2017-05-23 at 10.01.46 PM.png (411.93 KiB) Viewed 1594 times

3rd, after letting my cactus just sit there for some days (waiting for part that is newly cut by me callous), I saw this appearing. Should I be alarmed? What does it mean? Is that part of my cactus drying out?
Screen Shot 2017-05-23 at 10.04.42 PM.png
Screen Shot 2017-05-23 at 10.04.42 PM.png (285.64 KiB) Viewed 1594 times
Screen Shot 2017-05-23 at 10.05.35 PM.png
Screen Shot 2017-05-23 at 10.05.35 PM.png (287.39 KiB) Viewed 1594 times

4th, here is a picture of the top part of the cactus, I believe the seller has cut it already and it seems to have calloused am I right?
Screen Shot 2017-05-23 at 10.07.33 PM.png
Screen Shot 2017-05-23 at 10.07.33 PM.png (166.86 KiB) Viewed 1594 times
5th, here is the part that I cut, taken on 5/19
Screen Shot 2017-05-23 at 10.09.20 PM.png
Screen Shot 2017-05-23 at 10.09.20 PM.png (307.72 KiB) Viewed 1594 times
here is the part I cut, taken on 5/ 23
Screen Shot 2017-05-23 at 10.11.09 PM.png
Screen Shot 2017-05-23 at 10.11.09 PM.png (286.67 KiB) Viewed 1594 times
Screen Shot 2017-05-23 at 10.11.41 PM.png
Screen Shot 2017-05-23 at 10.11.41 PM.png (296.3 KiB) Viewed 1594 times
My question is, how long do I still have to wait before I can plant it in soil??


6th, also in the past few days, I noticed some roots starting to grow from the tip of the cactus. Is it a good sign? Is there anything I should constantly be aware of? Or should I just let it grow by itself and focus my attention on my cactus callous?
Screen Shot 2017-05-23 at 10.14.58 PM.png
Screen Shot 2017-05-23 at 10.14.58 PM.png (184.43 KiB) Viewed 1594 times
Screen Shot 2017-05-23 at 10.15.38 PM.png
Screen Shot 2017-05-23 at 10.15.38 PM.png (231.99 KiB) Viewed 1594 times

And heres just an update on the overall look of the cactus right now.
Screen Shot 2017-05-23 at 10.16.08 PM.png
Screen Shot 2017-05-23 at 10.16.08 PM.png (394 KiB) Viewed 1594 times

Sorry for the length of this post!! And thank you to those who replied!! Im super excited and still have a lot to learn! Thanks!
DaveW
Posts: 7369
Joined: Thu Dec 20, 2012 2:36 pm
Location: Nottingham, England/UK

Re: newbie cactus growing help (Selenicereus grandiflorus)

Post by DaveW »

Selenicereus produce aerial roots from any part of the plant apart from the flowers or fruit. These usually act like tendrils on other plants to anchor them to the bark of the trees they grow up in habitat, as well as absorbing any water and nutrients that may run down the trunk of the tree. They are perfectly normal and may even absorb some moisture from the air. In spite of what the link below says they are not a sign the plant lacks water or fertiliser, they are just normal growth since most epiphytic cacti produce them to some extent.

With plants in general "the pointed end goes uppermost" as that's the growing point. I would cut the top part off the stump at the thin part where it is already producing roots and pot it and the original stump up separately. The stump will again produce new shoots which eventually you can take off when long enough and root up.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/orname ... -roots.htm

This link shows how a similar epiphytic cactus produces aerial roots to hang on to the tree trunk in order to climb up into the crown of the tree in in habitat.

http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/23 ... fullscreen
LovedeLitu
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed May 17, 2017 2:42 am

Re: newbie cactus growing help (Selenicereus grandiflorus)

Post by LovedeLitu »

Thank you so much!

When do you think I will be able to plant it?

And as for the stump, is the bottom part the part with more roots?? (so when I plant it I wont get mixed up)
DaveW
Posts: 7369
Joined: Thu Dec 20, 2012 2:36 pm
Location: Nottingham, England/UK

Re: newbie cactus growing help (Selenicereus grandiflorus)

Post by DaveW »

Give it a few days to callous over and then plant it. Yes the bottom of the stump is the opposite end to where the other stem is presently growing out of having the most roots at present.
LovedeLitu
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed May 17, 2017 2:42 am

Re: newbie cactus growing help (Selenicereus grandiflorus)

Post by LovedeLitu »

Thank you so much Dave! I appreciate it!! :D
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