How to tell if a cactus is callused

[John2468]

I took this large cutting 3 days ago and I’m having trouble seeing if it has calloused or not. Can someone help me? Thanks!

[Silas_Sancona]

  On 6/14/2022 at 1:29 PM, John2468 said:

I took this large cutting 3 days ago and I’m having trouble seeing if it has calloused or not. Can someone help me? Thanks!

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The the surface inside the cut will resemble the look of the skin on the outside ( brownish and cracked ) when fully callused over.. If the center of the trunk is a little soft when touched, it will form a tough skin over it.  Estimate that would take another 10 days to start seeing.  

That said, w/ Prickly Pears, often, you can dunk cuttings in a pot ( or the ground ), soak once, and they'll usually take off ..not necessary to let them fully callus before planting.  Have done this w/ this exact Opuntia and had no problems rooting pads off of it ..in fact, pads will quickly root if just laying on the surface of damp soil for a week or two. Actually need to move some of these to their own pots ( growing in w/ other stuff atm ).

Easy way to tell they're adjusting / starting to root? ..watch the pads.. They may shrivel a little when first set, but will quickly plump up as they start rooting / taking up moisture.. The callusing process itself will continue in the pot /ground as well.

A large cutting like that?   you should see new pads pushing from Areoles on the older pads, & possibly from the " trunk " as well before the end of summer. Heat really speeds up this process.

Would use a gritty, and well draining soil mix. Nothing high in easily broken down Organics.  W/ summer storms / higher humidity there, highly doubt you'll have to water until rooted.  Notice, best rooting %'age i have w/ these, ..even some " slow poke " Opuntia   is accomplished when they are placed in bright or shifting shade.

Possibly the easiest group of cacti to root from cuttings..

[John2468]

Thanks!!

[John2468]

Update: some buds!!