Propagation by taproot cuttings?

[psi]

I degrafted a bunch of L. williamsii grafts that had been on Pereskiopsis, and a number of them have made many taproots. I was wondering about the possibility of taking taproot cuttings and inducing them to form new heads. Obviously there would be no areoles on them, but callus tissue can be induced to form shoots in vitro with something like 6-BAP, right?

[CactusFanDan]

Depending on the size of the taproot they should form heads from points on the vascular rings on the taproot, if you allow the wound to callous over, then plant the taproot and water it like you would a normal Loph. If the root has enough resources to rebuild a head, then it will do so. I've seen this happen to Ariocarpus species, like A. kotschoubeyanus, where multiple heads can regenerate from a taproot. I believe the same can happen with Loph's. So yeah, just plant the taproots once they're calloused and hope they sprout heads. Tissue culture is a pain to do in a home setting, ideally you need a laminar flow hood at least. Also you don't need hormones to form callous tissue, only meristematic cells. The hormones are needed later in the process to produce differentiated growth.

[psi]

Cool, I was hoping it was doable without hormones. I have some 6-BAP that I got a while ago but I'm a little wary of using it.

[Alber khan]

I just ordered a Variegated Loph for myself which I suspect was degrafted,the seller sent me the picture and when I looked closer I could see small bumps on the taproot which,to me look like new pups forming.Have a look.

[Onzuka]

They sure look like offsets to me, Alber. Good growing and a few years and you will have a very attractive plant there.

Steve