If the majestic cereus collides with the ceiling or one arm of the snake cactus is damaged, pruning will fix the problem. These instructions explain how to professionally trim a cactus with tips on the cutting tool and proper aftercare for cuts.
Cacti can be shortened
Preparatory work for a successful cut
To ensure that a cactus with its succulent, fleshy shoots and leaves survives a pruning without damage, pay special attention to the quality of the cutting tool. Furthermore, please take appropriate precautions with the following preparatory work so that you do not become a victim of the prickly plant reinforcement:
- Have a scalpel or freshly sharpened knife ready to trim fleshy parts of the plant
- Use a serrated knife to cut woody shoots
- Disinfect each blade with alcohol
- Put on sturdy leather or nitrile gloves
- Purchase charcoal ash from a garden center for treating wounds
Since thick gloves impair manual dexterity, we recommend grill or kitchen tongs as an alternative for fixing the shoots.
How to trim a cactus professionally
The best time to trim cacti is from March to July. With the following pruning, any damage is repaired, the size is regulated and at the same time renewed budding is ensured:
- If the cactus is too long or too large, trim it at the narrowest point
- Make the cut at a slight angle so that the sap can run off unhindered
- Ideally, unbranched columnar cacti should be cut back to the end of the trunk
- Cut away diseased, rotten areas down to the light-colored, undyed tissue
Then dust the cuts with the charcoal powder to minimize the flow of juice and to disinfect the area. If you shorten diseased parts of the plant, please wipe the blade with a cloth soaked in alcohol after each cut.
The ideal cutting depth should be such that at least 1 to 2 sleeping eyes remain on the shoot or trunk. Where thorns or leaves thrive, there are usually also buds capable of sprouting, without which further growth is not possible.
tips
Cacti are not poisonous, so there is no need to worry when it comes to caring for them. However, the risk of injury from the often very sharp and strong thorns should not be underestimated. Opuntias present us with edible fruits and at the same time harass us with thorns, which cause painful injuries and inflammation on the skin.