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Wave Cactus

22 years ago

Today in the nursery there were three huge Wave Cactus leaves on the floor, and NO I didn't break them off the plant. I approached an assistant who looked at me quizzically (sort of hinting "Yes my Mum would have a go too") and asked if I could please have them.

Thing is, what should I do with them. Out here in the bush I have plenty of compost and some river sand. The girl said to "let them dry out a bit" What would she mean there?

Isn't the rain wonderful!!!!

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Comments (4)

littlelisie
22 years ago
What's a wave cactus??! Anyway, by 'drying out a bit' she would have meant to allow a callous to heal over where the leaf broke away from the mother plant. Like letting a scab heal over if you skinned a knee, the callous will prevent any nasties from invading the plant's injury site. When you plant something in the ground the soil is full of bugs and bacteria just waiting to get a foot hold into your plants, that's also why you only repot a plant to the same level of soil it was originally planted at, same principle.
As for your leaves I'd leave them to dry a week, if you have some rooting hormone then right now dust a thin layer onto the wound end (no worries if you don't though, most cacti and succulents root very easily anyway). If the open end is already dry you could take a thin slice of tissue off to get new flesh to put the rooting hormone powder onto, or it won't stick. Then anyway (with or without powder) in a week's time pop them into some of that river sand you have so much of and leave them somewhere warm but not in direct sun. You can mist the soil with water in a week or so but don't water them like you'd water a normal plant as they've no roots, and with no roots to suck up the water they'll rot.
Good luck! Lis :)
Dave61
22 years ago
Hi
I think by wave cactus you mean Nyctocereus anthonyanus I will see if I can find a link to photo and post it.
Regards Dave hall
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auzziecarmel
Original Author
22 years ago
Grateful thanks for suggestions. We will have a go
We had about 20ml(80pts) and I am sure things are moving already. Its actually good to have mud on the boots
Regards aussiecarmel
possum_blossum
21 years ago
I have never heard of the wave cactus, but i would love to see a picture. With my succulents,if a leaf breaks off, i just lay it on some dirt, and after 1-2 weeks they sprout.

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