Cactus Graft Updates: The Unity

Measure Of Success In Cactus Graft

How to  know whether the graft succeed?

• Scion is not turning mushy and rotting on the root stock

• Scion is becoming firm to touch from day to day

• Apical meristem shoot of the scion resume growth

• Emergence of pups or branching on scion especially mid or butt graft.

• Scion merges through plastic wrap.

Below are my recently grafted Echinopsis variegata on Cereus rootstock.

When is it suitable to remove the rubber band or wrap?

• I go with 2 weeks, as my climate is tropical and very wet.

• 1 week may be too early sometimes especially for large scion, they need more time to harden up and establishing better union.

• Too early and the graft may fail due to dehydration eventhough they are initially healthy after getting unwrapped.

• Too long and it may hurt from getting entangled or compressed. The risk of rot may increase too.

Below are my two weeks old grafts. I decided to extend the date for plastic wrap removal due to heavy rain. Other than heat, rain can cause the graft to fail due to rootstock too expanded from water intake or water seeping between the union. I decided to remove it next week.

This  grafted Coryphantha elephantindens is already 5 weeks old and has not been removed yet due to it sensetivity to heavy rain when grafted. Bear in mind, all of today grafts shared are grown outdoors. Having said so, I have removed rubber band long ago, so it was not tightened and breathe freely.

Regrafting Decision

Why do we even need to regraft?

• The stock is weaken or sick

• Scion overgrown and grow too slow

• Scion is weak or sick

• To replicate the scion

• Rootstock is too small and totally relies on support structure

• Aesthetical value of the scion as own root cactus.

The Echinopsis below will need bigger rootstock or grown own root layer on

Deciding GO or NO GO on dormant grafted scion

Sometimes we will end up with dormant or very slow growing graft.

What should we do? Regraft or left as it is?

I put 1 month to judge the success of the graft. If the scion is not getting firm yet not rotting either, I will look at the union. If they are not well well connected, I will regraft if scion is firm. If not, I reuse the rootstock on other scion.

Below are my Astrophytum asterias grafted to Cereus. They are slow but never stop growing during the early days.

The Trichocereus scion below are grafted on a reused Cereus stock that previously grafted with Astrophytum asterias.

Reasons for Failure

There are many, but mainly from bad union or scion / rootstock health before graft.

Fail to provided proper pressure can affect union formation. Use rubber or plastic wrap for best result.

So does the rootstock offsets that poke the scion off especially when the cut is not bevelled.

Rootstock will focus on offsets over scion, make sure to remove any offsets.

Weather plays big roles too, too hot and the cut will sunken. Too wet and rot comes right from the front door.

My advice is, do not stop at your first failure. Never stop even after the thousandth, study the mistakes and enjoy grafting.

Thanks for reading.

Cheers.

October 2019 Cactus Update: New Cactus Addition My Collection Part 1

New Family Members

My shipment just arrived few days ago, it took 2 weeks from the date of purchase to parcel delivered.

eBay is a nice place to look for cactus, big number of cactus in my collection bought from eBay. Depending on seller and cactus type, you can get em cheaper than locally sold.

This week, I received my long awaited Lophophora, Ariocarpus, Coryphantha and Astrophytum. Astrophytum are obviously gonna be grafted onto bigger root stock. 

Below is the video link on my new Cactus, I'm trying new method of writing blog which includes video attachment and linking my pictures to Pinterest!

I will mix pictures and video later on, hope this is enjoyable to watch.

Cheers

October 2019 Cactus Update Part 1: Astrophytum & Coryphantha

Cactus Updates

October 2019

4. Astrophytum sp

#11 Astrophytum asterias

This is just a common Astrophytum asterias, around 10 cm wide and 12 cm tall. unlike  A. myriostigma, A. asterias is a hard skinned cactus. Which means it tends to crack more often due to over watering or growing too fast. I find that this species also grow slower than A. myriostigma and A. ornatum.

#12 Astrophytum asterias variegata 

This is the variegate form of A. asterias. They are growing in clusters, variegate Astrophytum tend to form cluster more often in my experience; probably its in their genetic. I love big solitary cactus, they look like a specimen to me but if they produce offsets; its a good things too. More scion for grafting session!

#13 Astrophytum asterias var. Godzilla variegated

This is a whole new level when compared to common A. asterias, you will see lots of bumps and papillae on 'Godzilla' variant. Sometimes also called as var 'Lizard', probably both due to the skin texture that resembles reptile skin. I am waiting for this to grow some offsets, I really want to graft it and increase the flowering chance.

#14 Astrophytum capricorne

 

I have very few of this species, not very keen on buying a lot of them at the moment. Having said so, it have one of the most wonderful flower among Astrophytum. From what I have read, it can cross with A. asterias; can function as both male pollen donor or as female receiver.

Link: Astrophytum capricorne x asterias

#15 Astrophytum myriostigma var nudum

This is one of my many common type Astrophytum myriostigma. I love them due to their good growth rate and blooming frequency. Can be used to cross with any A. myriostigma or A. ornatum too, you don't know what's the hidden traits they have.

#16 Astrophytum ornatum 

This is the biggest species of Astrophytum and I keep them due to their size, growth rate and breeding potential. They are very very spicky and took longer to flower too. But hybrid of A. ornatum and A. myriostigma usually retain the growth vigor and size of A. ornatum, although their characteristic mostly might be in the mix of between the two.

#16 Astrophytum myriostigma var. hakujo 

 

The term 'hakujo' means line that connects the dots between areoles. This one is a frequent bloomer but did not put up flower this month though. It is a medium sized Astrophytum but the flat ball shape made it quite attractive. 

#16 Astrophytum myriostigma var. fukuryu hakujo 

This is one of my A. myriostigma var 'fukuryu' that grown from a small 4 cm seedling. It shows good growth vigor and I love the tall can top heavy conical shape it carries. The picture doesn't do justice but it is slightly variegated, with lime green stripes over dark green. Now, this guy is 14cm tall and 11 cm wide.

#17 Astrophytum myriostigma var. fukuryu hakujo white

  

This is one of my cactus from the early days, was 5 cm back then and now scaling up to 10 cm tall and wide; look like sphere shaped A. myriostigma. This is not a fast grower but it carries 'fukuryu' and 'hakujo' traits. Despite the size, it haven't flower yet while other A. myriostigma usually bloom at 5-7 cm big.

4. Coryphantha elephantindens

#1 Coryphantha elephantindens variegata

 

Coryphantha elephantindens is one of my favourites. Main reason is their large tubercles and overall size, I tend to get attracted to large cactus.

Scientifically, the term 'elephantidens' means 'elephant tooth' which describes the fang-like spines of this species. The spines are very sharp and hard, which may damage and scar nearby cactus; got to be wary of that.

My largest C. elephantindes is measured 13 cm wide and 14 cm tall excluding spines. They are easy to care and fast grower too, but tend to host spidermites and hate too much water.

Variegated form of C. elephantindens is easy to obtain now, plus comes in cheaper price.

#2 Coryphantha elephantindens 

This is the grafted green form of C. elephantindens and root stock is Cereus spegazzinii. It took one month to grow from picture above,

This guy is same size as its variegated counterpart, I have grafted a good sum of its offsets onto Perekiopsis and C spegazzinii. 

That is it for now, I will update on recent graft in a day or two

Cheers.