by Trina
(Lakeland, Florida)
Hello Jackie. Our neighbor just sold their house and during the renovation for the new owners, the workers removed a huge cactus tree and trampled on a Kalanchoe plant. I was hoping to rescue them by transplanting or propagating and they most certainly gave us access to the pile.
The cactus (is this a Cactus Pear Tree?) I was able to collect with roots and will simply transplant in our yard but the one with just the branch can wait to form callous. This is my first cactus plant and I want to make sure I can save this plant the right way.
As for the Kalanchoe (Thrysiflora?), with the weather right now at 60F I was thinking of transplanting to a big pot (hopefully it’s still worth rescuing despite it being so limp) and move it to the ground in early spring. And would you know what that powdery stuff is on the stem? Am I doing this all right? I would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you.
Hi Trina, these both look like they will be fine – for the cactus tree, as you call it, both parts will form new roots – just put them into dry soil in a pot after callousing, and in time, they will make new roots.
I’m not familiar with this plant, which looks to me to be more like some kind of relative of the Christmas Cactus. Here is a reference to the Dragonfruit, which is an epiphyte. Does this seem the same to you?
For the Kalanchoe thyrsiflora, these will root fine without any kind of care, just prune off the damaged parts, and stand back.
The white stuff, called ‘bloom’ which doesn’t refer to flowers, is perfectly normal. Some plants produce this in abundance, some not so much, but it’s a way for them to prevent moisture loss from the stem and leaves, not a disease or other issue.
Keep all of these fairly dry until they recover and produce more roots.
Luckily, you’re not moving them too far, so the soil (if you plant them in a garden situation), the humidity and the normal rain fall will be very similar.
Happy Succulent Gardening!
Jacki
Comments for Rescued Cactus & Succulents (I hope)
Oct 30, 2012
Thank you!
by: Trina
I’m on my way to planting the kalanchoe thrysiflora. Best to pot it and keep it in the lanai before the neighbor’s cats make it into their meal. Yikes the poison! I will follow your advice to the letter! Thanks again!
Yes, definitely keep it out of the way of carnivores! Best of luck – let me know what happens!
