Seeds are often available in stores with which you can grow this beautiful cactus yourself. If you already own a Selenicereus Grandiflorus, you can easily propagate it with offshoots. If you keep a few basic points in mind, this is much easier than you think.
How do I propagate the Queen of the Night?
To propagate the Queen of the Night (Selenicereus grandiflorus), cut off 15 cm long offshoots from the ends of the tendrils between April and August. Allow the cut surface to dry and then place the cuttings in a substrate mixture of leaf mold, sand and perlite or loosened cactus soil.
The right time
The cuttings should be taken during the main growing period between April and August. If the plant has already set flowers, you should no longer cut offshoots, as they will then root much more poorly or not at all.
Cutting offshoots
Do this carefully so that the interfaces do not become infected:
- Always use a very sharp knife. Scissors are unsuitable as they crush the shoots.
- Clean the cutting tool thoroughly.
- Cut pieces about fifteen centimeters long from the ends of the tendrils.
- Disinfect the wound on the mother plant with powdered charcoal.
Insert offshoots
First let the cut surface dry in a bright but sunny place, standing upright, for several weeks. After a few days, a thin protective skin forms, which protects the cutting from invading pathogens and fungi.
Well suited for cultivation is made from
- Lauberde
- coarse sand
- Perlite
self-mixed substrate. Alternatively, you can use commercially available cactus soil, which you can loosen up with a little coarse sand or perlite.
Place the cut side of the cuttings in the soil and support the cuttings with wooden sticks if necessary. A plastic cover is not necessary. Pour on and place in a bright, sunny place where the temperature must be at least 24 degrees all day. Keep the substrate evenly moist, but be sure to avoid waterlogging, as this will inevitably lead to rot.
After just a few weeks, roots form and the cuttings begin to sprout. However, you still have to be patient until the first flowers appear, as this takes at least five years.
Tip
When repotting, shoots break off unintentionally. You can use these excellently to propagate the Queen of the Night.
