October 2019 Graft Update: How To Graft On Cereus Root Stock Part 1

Best Way To Graft Astrophytum On Cereus Root Stock

This applies to medium to large sized scion graft. Cereus hildmannianus serve as a great permanent root stock, It wasn't the fastest but might last longest compared to others.

Step 1

To begin with, get a decent root stock; make sure they are actively growing and plump. Never used dehydrated root stock which look flaccid and soft to the touch. Cereus also can be grafted while they are on mother plant and you can root them later once attached.

Cut the top part of your root stock, it can be the top 2-4 inch up to the mid, as long as the core i.e. middle ring is still soft. Best bet is to cut top 1 inch first and try to match it with scion middle ring, if your scion's ring bigger then cut another inch until they match.

Cereus is a nice root stocks due to their thickness and ring size. The thickness give us a good guarantee of grafting success as there is more contact between scion and root stock.

Step 2

Cut your scion and make sure it is a level cut, skewed or concave cut on the scion may fail the graft, mostly due to shrinkage. I use Astrophytum myriostigma variegated for this graft, around 7 cm big. Cereus, Harrisia and Myrtillocactus are not that suitable for seedling grafting, better choose proper sized scion for these root stock.

For both scion and root stock cut, make sure you do it with sterile and very sharp knife. For hard skinned cactus such as Astrophytum, I will bevel the scion too, this is due to their tendency to shrink more and push themselves upward; and may fail to remain attached.

 Make sure the ring is similar in size to get better connection between scion and root stock

Beveling the cut edge is optional, but I always do so to prevent two complications later on. One is the risk of cut surface to dry and shrink, if it shrink then the scion will very likely fail to stick or imperfectly attach to the middle ring. Other complication is offsetting of the root stock, it it pups close to scion, it may push it up and out which usually occur anytime during both cactus lifespan.

Step 3

Match their cambium ring, as long as they touch each other; the graft will work well. Makesure the stay moist, never leave them too long or they will  dry up and shrink or sunken.

Step 4

Providing pressure and preventing the scion from moving are two main concern in grafting. Without pressure holding the scion, it will detach or partially detach; which may lead to scion death or may require re-grafting.

I use plastic food wrap and rubber to hold them together, some times just rubber. Cereus root stock has thick long thorns that can be use to hold the plastic, but additional rubber use can reduce the risk of losing pressure.

Pull the plastic and make sure it is fittingly tight, not loose but also no too tight. you can test the scion after attaching plastic cover, if it shift to any direction; adjust the holding pressure.

Apply rubber to hold your plastic cover in place, I use one rubber but fold it once so it stretch tighter.

Do your final adjustment if needed and left them under shade for a while. the advantage of using plastic wrap is they retain moisture from cut so they don't shrink quickly. Sometimes I forgot about my grafts, the scion just pop out of the plastic and continue growing; just make sure it is soft plastic wrap though.

Hope this explanation helps.

Thanks for reading guys.

cheers.