Cloning San Pedro and Other Trichocereus

Propagating Trichocereus cacti from cuttings (more rarely known as cloning) is a simple and cost-effective way to grow new plants. Trichocereus cacti including San Pedro cacti are prized for their fast growth rate, making them easy to clone and share.

Here's a step-by-step guide for propagating Trichocereus cacti from cuttings.

Step 1: Choose healthy, mature stems. This will ensure that the cuttings have energy to root and grow into new plants. Look for stems that are at least 8 inches long and 2 inches in diameter (they can be shorter if they are thicker). Thinner or shorter cuttings are more likely to dehydrate before they root. 

Step 2: Make the cutting. With a sharp knife or box cutter, cut the main stem at least 8-12 inches from the top. Cut at roughly a 45-degree angle to prevent water from pooling on the remaining cactus stump. For best results, cuttings should be taken during the growing season, typically spring or summer.

This cutting is so long it's almost guaranteed to root. From u/RestoreBotanicals on r/SanPedro (link)

Step 2a (optional): Apply rooting hormone. If you have a powdered rooting hormone like Bonide Bontone II, you can brush some of it on the fresh cut. This will help dry the cut (see next step) but also increases the speed at which the cutting will push roots.

Step 3: Let the cutting dry. Allow the cutting to dry for a few days. This will help the cut surface to callus over and prevent it from rotting when planted.

A cutting nearly finished callousing. From u/DanishLeopard on r/SanPedro (link)

Step 4: Plant the cutting. Plant the cutting in a well-draining soil mix – e.g. 1 part gardening soil (e.g. Fox Farms Ocean Forest) and 1 part perlite. This will be good for the rooting phase and the eventual growth. Alternatively, it can be placed in a 100% inorganic substrate (e.g. all perlite) for the rooting phase, then moved into a well-draining soil mix. As another option, you can even leave cuttings as-is and wait for roots! But this method has a slightly lower success rate – having a section of the cutting in the dark, naturally moist substrate encourages root growth. 

Step 5: Wait for roots. Place the cutting in a warm location with indirect sunlight.  This can be inside near a window, or outside in the shade. In this phase, some moisture in the soil mix can help encourage rooting, but don't water fully because the plant has roots (and no way to drink!). It may take several weeks to several months for roots to form, but once they do, the cutting can be treated as a mature plant and watered regularly. 

Roots! From u/looper420 on r/SanPedro (link)

In conclusion, propagating Trichocereus cacti from cuttings is a simple and effective way to grow new plants. By following these steps, you can have a thriving new plant in no time.