Remember Sid? Well, if you’re getting plant-quainted for the first time, here’s the lowdown. My bestie for the restie (a.k.a. fellow plant enabler) was like, “you should buy this awesome 12-foot tall cactus, it’s $50.” And I was like, “OK.” And that was that.
On the flippity flip, the best part of Sid is also the worst part of Sid: he’s 12-feet tall. 😂 With chillier days approaching, it’s high priority getting this lanky prick indoors. My Craftsman Bungalow ceilings are high, but they cap out at precisely 103-inches.
Yet fret not, fronds! My sister and I gave Sid a fighting chance at a new life. He got the chopping block, but he’s lookin’ real sharp and standing at just over six-feet. That’s official home height approved.
How’d we do it? Keep on reading…
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
- An awesome 12-foot tall cactus
- Terracotta planter
- Potting Soil
- Pruners
- Gauntlet gardening gloves (longer sleeves, more protectioné)
- Rooting hormone
- Cactus food
- Watering can
- Ladder (you know, if it’s 12-feet tall)
INSTRUCTIONS
Guide the gargantuan and awesome 12-foot tall cactus down to ground level with a plank of wood. This is a two-person operation. Use pruners to cut the cactus at a notable notch. Use pruners to clean up the cut and expose a bit of cactus flesh.
Moisten the cut with water and dip in a bowl filled with rooting hormone. Tap lightly to remove excess. Fill a large terracotta planter with potting soil about ¼ of the way full. Have one human hold the cactus in the desired spot (they can point all sorts of funny ways) and the other fill the pot with soil until the cactus feels secure.
For extra wonky cacti, add a hefty layer of decorative rocks to help weigh that top heavy sucker down.
Mix the appropriate amount of cactus food in water. Dose the fresh cactus cutting with a moderate amount of water, about 2 cups. Place in a sunny spot and pray she takes. Mist once every three to five days to encourage root growth until established.
For Inquiring Minds
If you’re wondering: how’d I transport this thrifted bad boy home from three towns over? Nothing a big ass plank of wood in cahoots with Gloria (my FJ Cruiser) on a stealthy route of backroads can’t do. Plus, a super sweet exercise buddy to assist in the lifting. 💪🏻
Happy propagating!!
Leave a Reply