How to Propagate the Succulent Pencil Cactus (Milk Bush)?
Many people grow succulents nowadays; they are small and cute, and placing them in the home adds a touch of life. The pencil cactus we are introducing today is also a variety of succulent. You may not be too familiar with this variety, but it is actually quite a good one. Unlike other succulents, its method of propagation is a bit different. So, do you know how to propagate the pencil cactus? Let's take a look together!
How to propagate the pencil cactus?
1. Morphological characteristics of the pencil cactus
People hearing the name "pencil cactus" for the first time may find it quite cute; actually, it is not a bachelor at all. The pencil cactus can also be called the green jade tree, dragon bone tree, milk bush, and so on; the name differs from region to region. It is a tropical shrub or small tree, about 2-6 m tall, with small alternate leaves that are round and linear, but the leaves are sparse and fall off easily, so the plant remains leafless year-round. It has many branches, mostly opposite or whorled, which replace the leaves in carrying out photosynthesis. The flowers grow in cymes at the tips of the branches, yellow-white in color, with small bracts; the fruit is a capsule, dark black in color, with the skin closely covered in soft hairs. The plant is green when young and gray when old.
2. How to propagate the pencil cactus
The pencil cactus has a rather special method of propagation; for a succulent, it still has its own characteristics. Because it rarely flowers, the pencil cactus is generally propagated by cuttings. Before propagating, you need to choose in advance a relatively loose, fertile, and well-draining soil. The soil mix can be made up of leaf mold, garden soil, and river sand. Some slow-release fertilizer can be placed at the bottom of the pot as a base fertilizer. For good drainage, some gravel or broken tiles can be placed at the bottom of the pot. These small details cannot be overlooked; they are all considerations for the growth of the pencil cactus.
3. Propagation steps for the pencil cactus
First, we need to do the preparatory work: get ready the scissors, pencil cactus branches, water, loosening tools, and the prepared potting soil that will be needed next. Then use the scissors to cut branches from the pencil cactus; this is to help it grow more healthily. Next, loosen the entire potting soil. After loosening is complete, dig a small hole in the center of the pot and place the pencil cactus branch to be cuttings into this small hole. Finally, fill in the soil. The whole process takes about a quarter of an hour. After everything is done, do not relax; remember to secure the branch and also water them so they can absorb it. Generally, roots will slowly form after two weeks; the higher the temperature, the more it helps speed up rooting. Once rooting is complete, you can switch to a larger pot for planting out.
That is all Tuliu.com has to introduce today about propagating the pencil cactus. When growing the pencil cactus, you need to note that its milky sap is toxic, has carcinogenic effects and promotes tumor growth; contact with the skin can cause redness and swelling, and getting it in the eyes can cause temporary blindness. Be extremely careful when pruning.