Newb need some help with Cylindropuntia imbricata.....

[dt1028]

I have some one sending me some "Walking Stick" (Cylindropuntia imbricata) cactus cuttings through the mail this week.

I live in South Central Texas and have several types of cactus growing naturally on my homestead but have never planted any on my own.

I read the Cacti guide on the soil mix but I am having problems finding pumice locally. Lowes doesnt seem to carry it and most of the garden stores are an hour drive or more away.

Lowes does have crushed granite, can I use this instead?

Also how do I get my cuttings to grow?

Should I just plant them in the ground or start with a pot at first?

[daiv]

C. imbricata is extremely hardy and you should be able to simply stick them in the native soil you have there and watch it grow like mad.

[iann]

Crushed granite is fine, but you probably don't need it. If cacti grow in the ground already then your new should too. You can stand them in some grit, crushed granite, or just dry soil until they grow a couple of inches of roots, then they can go in the ground.

[ihc6480]

Yep, stick it in the ground and watch it grow.
If I can do it in Kansas you won't have a problem in Texas