Pencil Cactus Propagation by Cuttings and Tips for Pruning Branches and Leaves

Pencil cactus (Euphorbia tirucalli) - just hearing this name is quite interesting. Many people think it must be very lonely, which is why it has such a name. In fact, it belongs to the succulent plants, is relatively cold-tolerant, and looks bare, which is how it got this name. So how exactly is the pencil cactus propagated? Let's take a look below.

Pencil Cactus Propagation Method (Cuttings)

Cuttings are commonly used for propagation, and well-drained soil is suitable. It is best to use a mix of 2/3 leaf mold and 1/3 garden soil with a small amount of river sand added as the growing medium. A little hoof parings and other slow-release fertilizer can be placed at the bottom of the pot as a base fertilizer. To help with drainage, some crushed stone or tile pieces should also be placed at the bottom of the pot.

Take cuttings in the warm season of May to June. Cut plump, well-developed tip branches, taking stem sections with 2 nodes as cuttings, 8-10 cm long. After letting them dry slightly, insert them into a sand bed. Use yellow sand or perlite as the medium for the sand bed, or use well-drained sandy loam. Roots form about 3 weeks after insertion. Single-leaf cuttings can also be used; after cutting the leaf, let it dry. Then insert it into the sand bed, and roots form easily under warm conditions. Roots form about 4 weeks after insertion, and when the roots are 2-3 cm long, pot them up. After rooting, they can be planted in 10-15 cm pots. In the warm regions of the south, they can be grown in the open ground, while in the Yangtze River basin and areas to its north, they must be cultivated in a greenhouse. Generally, they are kept in a greenhouse in winter and grown outdoors in summer.

How to Prune Branches and Leaves of Pencil Cactus

You can first observe the roots. Some old, rotted, or weak roots can be appropriately selected and cut off. Then look at how dense or sparse the root system is. If it is still very dense, you can trim and tidy it further yourself.

Next, observe the aboveground stems and branches. You can first cut off some diseased branches, weak branches, and damaged branches, and then observe from an overall perspective which areas need adjustment. In addition, some of the fairly good stems and branches that were cut off can be used for cuttings to grow a new potted pencil cactus. But when pruning, you must absolutely prevent the sap from splashing onto your face; this is the most important point.

Pencil Cactus Planting Methods

1. Soil

To plant pencil cactus, choose soil with relatively strong drainage performance. You can use leaf mold and garden soil mixed at a ratio of 2:1, and at the same time add a small amount of river sand to make the growing medium. A little hoof parings and other slow-release fertilizer can be placed at the bottom. To enhance drainage performance, you can also place a layer of crushed stone and tile pieces at the bottom of the pot.

2. Fertilizing

The fertilizing period for pencil cactus is mainly during its growth stage. At this time, once every 7-10 days, you can apply a thin, decomposed liquid fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The fertilizer should not be too concentrated. Winter is the dormant period for pencil cactus, so fertilizing should be stopped at this time; otherwise, it can easily cause root rot.

3. Watering

Pencil cactus is a fleshy, succulent plant with strong drought tolerance. It should not be watered too much; wait until the soil has dried completely before watering. In the relatively hot summer, do not water heavily right after exposure to strong sun, as this can easily cause leaf drop. When the temperature is above 30°C, the whole plant is in a dormant or semi-dormant state, and watering should be controlled at this time.

4. Light

As already mentioned earlier when introducing its growth habits, pencil cactus is a plant that greatly enjoys sunlight. It can be placed in a sunny environment all year round, but avoid exposure to scorching sun.

Precautions for Planting Pencil Cactus

1. The white milky sap of pencil cactus is highly toxic, so special care is needed when viewing or cultivating it. The sap must never be allowed to enter the five sense organs. Therefore, when pruning pencil cactus, remember to wear latex or plastic gloves and use a blade to cut off branches that affect the plant's shape.

2. In the hot and humid July to August, watering of pencil cactus must be strictly controlled. In midsummer, if ventilation is poor or there is excessive water shortage, it can also cause leaves to turn yellow and fall off, so it should be kept in a semi-shaded place for care. After the beginning of autumn, watering should be gradually reduced. When cultivating outdoors, avoid being washed by heavy rain; otherwise, too much water will accumulate at the roots and can easily cause root rot and death.

3. Although pencil cactus has no green leaves, the branches of pencil cactus contain a large amount of chlorophyll and can carry out photosynthesis in place of leaves. In the warm regions of the south, pencil cactus can be planted in the open ground, but in the north it needs to be cultivated in a greenhouse.

Although pencil cactus is relatively easy to grow, there are places that require special attention when planting it. Because it is itself toxic, you must wear gloves when pruning to avoid the sap splashing onto your face and causing an adverse allergic reaction. Also, during the planting process, be sure to control water and fertilizer.