Secrets To Growing Cactus And Succulents: How To Graft Lophophora & Lobivia On Opuntia

Opuntia Grafting Guide

Introduction

Opuntia is a tough cactus that flourish very well in almost all growing condition from ice cold to desert hot region. In addition, it could withstand our hot and wet condition unlike most Mediterranean and South American cactus that usually melt away when grown in tropical region.

This time, I pick Opuntia as rootstock due to their toughness, long lifespan, sticky sap and abundance availability. Other than that, this is my first time grafting Opuntia, it will serve as a good learning curve. It is funny how I have spent time and money getting imported rootstock yet the locals are growing everywhere around me.

I will share grafting method conducted, which done according to my reading and other grafting experience. To be honest, when you get the gist it is very easy to perform. No wonder Taiwan and Thailand grower could mass graft using Opuntia.

Preparation

You need to choose less than one year old Opuntia pads to be used for grafting. New growth has more sap but thinner in comparison to mature pad. Make sure you wear gloves as they have glochids, tiny thorns that itch a lot when they prick.

Step 1

Cut the top part of the pad, I also cut the lower part to ease grafting when you stick the scion later.

Look at the cambium ring, they are not exactly ring-looking cambium, instead more like a oval shaped and this can be advantageous as more surface to place scion anywhere on the cut.

Step 2

Cut the scion, I use Lophophora dan Lobivia for this session.

Step 3

Look at how sticky the Opuntia sap is. That is why they are one of the best for grafting, some grower do not use any pressure holding material such as rubber on Opuntia graft. But I am not confident enough to do so yet.