Grafting Opuntia fragilis and random questions....

[jaredhiggs1]

I am super new to this and would like some help determining what the best stock would be to graft Opuntia fragilis onto. I have a pad of what could be O. ficus-indica and have access to pereskiopsis, hylocereus, juvinile selenicereus testudo, blue myrtle, Opuntia microdasys f. monstrosus, and Austrocylindropuntia subulata monstrose. 1) What would be the best to use? 2) Is it even worth my time? 3) can O. fragilis be turned monstrose or crestate and if so has anyone done it? 4) what would be the best and easiest cuts to use to graft?
Hopefully that makes sense.
Jared

[CactusFanDan]

1. Out of all those stocks you listed, I'd say Opuntia fragilis is a better stock than a few of them.
2. Nope, O. fragilis is one of the easiest plants to grow and fairly fast too. Cold hardy, moisture tolerant, drought tolerant, heat tolerant etc.
3. I don't think anyone has been able to induce crested or monstrose growth in any cactus species so far. So in short, nope.
4. Flat grafting is most commonly used for cacti. Simple and effective. But as I said above, I wouldn't bother grafting O. fragilis. But saying that, if you want practise at grafting and nothing better to graft, then why not.

[snarfie]

interesting topic: http://cactiguide.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=9172" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[jaredhiggs1]

Thank you dan and snarfie for your replies! Very clarifying for me ha. Much appreciated.
Jared