Rooting a cereus cutting ?

[SW_FL_Gardens]

How long should you wait before watering a cutting that you are trying to root ? Gave it plenty of time to "heal over", planted it in a well drained mix. How long before you start watering it ?

(It has been very hot and dry here in FL.)

Also how long do you think it takes cactus seeds to germinate ?
How long before you give up and figure they weren't viable ?

[agavemonger]

Out here in cactus country (at least that's what they call Vista, California) we generally water-in heavily then allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. This is the perfect time of year to root cuttings and I would expect to see the onset of roots as soon as in a few weeks. You can usually tell when they root as they tend to plump up as well as "freshen up" (show enhanced color and new growth) once this new growth appears then you can resume normal watering and fertilizing. Don't give up on your cactus seed. Some species can germinate months or years later, but generally, if kept moist they should germinate fairly fast (in a greenhouse environment with high heat and humidity is highly preferable) Happy growing!! The monger