how long can cuttings be stored?

Subject: how long can cuttings be stored? Sat May 24, 2008 9:44 pm

just wandering how long tip cuttings of columnar cacti can last without being planted, and what is the best way to keep them? ie in a dark dry spot?

Subject: Re: how long can cuttings be stored? Sat May 24, 2008 10:34 pm

Depends what sp your Storing. Due to your handle I guess Trichocereus Sp.

I do the following:

Re cut, no matter how reliable the source. Use a SHARP knife and sterilise using alochol. Allow to callous for about 3 days to a week and dust cut end with coper or sulphur. Keep in cool low light place but not dark.

Should last 1year+

Subject: Re: how long can cuttings be stored? Sat May 24, 2008 10:40 pm

cheers mate, might sound like a bit of a stupid question, but why recut? i cant believe they last over 1 year, amazing things these little spikey friends.

Subject: Re: how long can cuttings be stored? Wed Jun 25, 2008 5:20 pm

Whoops i never replied to this. I re cut for a few reasons, fist so you know when the cut was made the older the callous and the longer the plant has been dormant the longer it will take to root when you finally plant it. Second so you know the cut is clean, this is most important because you are storing it for a long period you need to be sure there is no bacteria or fungi.

Subject: Re: how long can cuttings be stored? Wed Jun 25, 2008 6:26 pm

thanks hello nasty, makes perfect sense, so if my cuttings have been laying around all winter you think i should recut again about a week before i pot them up?
also i forgot to ask about your user name, are you a fan of the beasties?
peace

Subject: Re: how long can cuttings be stored? Wed Jun 25, 2008 7:36 pm

Yeah leave it 2 weeks I rekn. Love the beasties Smile

Subject: Re: how long can cuttings be stored? Wed Jun 25, 2008 7:49 pm

cheers mate, me too. seen them three times, lucky enough to see the check your head tour in 92 and ill communication in 94 at summersault 95 96 new years. they rock. missed out on seeing them with mix master mike though...

Joined : 23 Jun 2008 Posts : 20 Location : Australia

I had an echinopsis cutting sitting in the dark in my garage for well over a year, probably closer to two.

It shrivelled a little but rooted easily when planted and pumped back up after a few waterings.

The chunkier the cut, the longer it will probably last due to more moisture content.

Subject: Re: how long can cuttings be stored? Thu Jul 03, 2008 2:57 pm

Yeah they can last ages. I have found the longer you leave them though, especially in low light, that they tend to become etiolated.
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Subject: Re: how long can cuttings be stored? Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:25 pm

They sure are hardy....Tricho sp I'm talking, they still grow whilst in storage. I had a bridgesii cut that was waiting for a mate to return from O/S. It started to dehydrate after about 4months and then many months later sent out 4 pups Smile