What are the propagation methods for the Golden Barrel Cactus?
The Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus grusonii) is an important ornamental cactus and is loved by many flower enthusiasts. So how do you propagate the Golden Barrel Cactus? Let's take a look below.
1. Sowing method
Seeds harvested in the same year have a high germination rate. In spring or autumn, select plump golden barrel seeds (black), soak them to speed up germination for two days, and then sow them into the potting soil. They sprout in about 7—10 days. When the young offsets grow to 1 cm, thin the seedlings to a spacing of 5×5 cm between plants and rows. When they grow to 4 cm, they can be planted out, one per small pot. 30-40 days after germination, the seedling bodies are already the size of a grain of rice or a mung bean, and they can be transplanted or grafted onto a rootstock to speed up growth.
2. Offset grafting method
Graft seedlings grown for more than 3 months onto tender Hylocereus undatus to speed up growth. When the scion grows to a certain size or the rootstock can no longer support it, it can be cut off, the wound dried, and then potted as a cutting. In a good environment with fertile soil and air circulation, seedlings that are not grafted also grow quickly. After potting, seedlings or grafted offsets should be placed inshade, avoiding direct sunlight. If the body does not shrivel after 7-10 days, it has survived.
3. Cutting method
This is the most commonly used propagation method and can be done all year round. First cut a mature small piece from the mother plant, place it in the shade for half a day, and then insert it as a cutting. This is the key to survival. The cutting medium should be a material with good aeration that both retains water and drains well, such as perlite, vermiculite, or river sand. After inserting, do not water; only mist so that the sandy soil is slightly moist.
4. Grafting method
Using the grafting method for propagation can promote growth and advance flowering. During the growing season, except for the hot and humid period when the cut surface is prone to rot and grafting is not suitable, grafting can be done at other times, but September is the most suitable. Use a three-ribbed cactus (Hylocereus trigonus) that has strong compatibility with the Golden Barrel Cactus as the rootstock. When grafting, first make a horizontal cut at an appropriate height on the rootstock, then make a horizontal cut on the lower part of the small scion. Immediately after cutting, place the scion on the cut surface of the rootstock (be careful to make at least part of the vascular bundles in the centers of the scion and rootstock closely contact), then use fine thread to tie it vertically together with the pot, so that the upper and lower cut surfaces fit closely together. After grafting is complete, place the pot in a slightly shaded place, cover it with plastic film to maintain air humidity, and the binding can be removed after 3 to 7 days.
After propagating the Golden Barrel Cactus, it is also necessary to do a good job with management tasks such as temperature, light, and watering, so that it can grow more luxuriantly.