Growing New Cactus from Cactus Pads

Q. I am growing new cacti from pads cut from the mother plant. You recommended I amend my soil with either compost or manure before planting the pads. I used a local planting soil which was cheap but not a good decision, I discovered. Can I amend this soil and “fix” it?  

When planting cactus pads, make sure pads are planted north – south so that one side of the pad receives morning sun and the other side of the pad receives afternoon sun. Add manure or compost to the soil. Don't water too often. Use a soil moisture sensor like the one pictured to gauge when to water again.

A. You probably can. However, the soil should not be “fluffy” but firm after it’s been watered. If it’s “fluffy”, the cactus will fall over when it gets taller. It will also fall over, or possibly die, if watered too often, watered frequently with small amounts of water, or if water is applied only around its base. Use native desert soil whenever possible, mix in a small amount of manure and build a three-foot basin around the plant for containing enough water applied to it. Water it every three or four weeks in the summer, filling the basin to its brim.

The area around the pads can have a basin built to keep the water from getting away. Monitor the soil moisture to know when to irrigate again.

            Make sure all cuts have healed before planting the pad or it can become infected and rotten. To be done on the safe side, apply a copper fungicide like Bordeaux to the bottom fourth of the pad before planting. This helps keep wounds from rotting when it first get started.

If laid flat the pads will curl over night. Stack them vertically until they are used.

            Plant the entire pad so its flat surfaces are facing east and west and one third of it extends below the soil. Water the entire basin and let it soak into the soil 12 inches deep. The roots will form from the pad using stored water taken from them.