Expert: Maureen - 4/6/2010

Question
I have a golden barrel cactus that is at least 14" tall and has a complete ring of pups.  I would like to transplant some.  How do I remove them and will it "scar" the Mother?

Answer
To remove them take a sharp knife sterilized with alcohol and cut them off.  They may have some roots of their own and if so, gently separate them from the mother plant. Brush both the cuts on the mother plant and the pup with fungicide to prevent rot. Whether or not there are roots let them dry out and callous over for several days/couple of weeks. Then, for pups without roots, set on top of soil (1/2 perlite 1/2 peat or potting soil) in a pot, put in partial shade and leave them alone till they start growing roots. DO NOT WATER during this process.  You can occasionally mist and make sure there is good air circulation.

If there are roots do all of the above, but you can very gradually start to water once the pup is planted, let the soil dry out in between, and then give a little more water. The baby roots will drown with to much water and need to develop and get strong slowly.

The mother plant will have a minimal scar but it won't make the plant look awful. Barely noticable.  Oh, and also don't water the mother until the cuts have calloused over as well.  Eventually all mothers show at least a tiny bit of wear and tear, no?

It can take a long time for the pup to root.  You need to be really patient.

Good luck, have fun.

Good luck,

Maureen