Dropped cactus and split stem

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Carpkel
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Location: Near Cleveland, Ohio zone 6a

Dropped cactus and split stem

Post by Carpkel »

I am not sure if I am posted under the correct topic.
I want to let everyone know it is possible to "graft" cacti that have a horizontal crack or split in its stem.
I have had a top heavy cactus fall off my greenhouse bench and crack the stem in half. The fall split the stem half way through the diameter of the stem. I was able to get the split to graft itself back together and heal the wound. I did not apply anything to the inside or rinse the wound. I used a firm piece of wood or stake to stretch over both sides of the split. I then put wedges between the cactus and the wood to create a slight bend or pressure towards the crack to allow the crack to close together. I do not recall if I placed a piece of plastic around the wound to keep it moist while healing itself.
This catastrophy not only happened once, but twice to two different cacti. I was successful regrating both cactus back together. I think this will be useful information for Antony who can use it.
I have photos to load as soon as I can make it work
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Carpkel
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Location: Near Cleveland, Ohio zone 6a

Re: Dropped cactus and split stem

Post by Carpkel »

Photos of the healed graft.
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jerrytheplater
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Re: Dropped cactus and split stem

Post by jerrytheplater »

Pretty cool. How long ago did this happen?
Jerry Smith
Bloomingdale, NJ
45 inches (114 cm) rain equivalent per year, approx. evenly spread per month
2012 USDA Hardiness Zone 6b: -5F to OF (-20C to -18C) min.
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Carpkel
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Joined: Sun May 20, 2018 4:46 am
Location: Near Cleveland, Ohio zone 6a

Re: Dropped cactus and split stem

Post by Carpkel »

I believe I dropped it two years ago
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Steve Johnson
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Re: Dropped cactus and split stem

Post by Steve Johnson »

jerrytheplater wrote: Fri Jul 14, 2023 1:08 pmPretty cool.
Yes indeed -- great job, Carpkel! =D>
If you just want photos without all the blather, please visit my Flickr gallery.
My location: Los Angeles, CA (Zone 10b)
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7george
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Re: Dropped cactus and split stem

Post by 7george »

Good job!
Well, otherwise you would have now two specimens of that cactus eventually...

Also practiced some grafting. Grafting fans have a saying: "Even having two identical cacti you do cut their heads and exchange those..."
If your cacti mess in your job just forget about the job.
°C = (°F - 32)/1.8
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