You can conduct Bunny ears cactus propagation by using cuttings, seeds and their offsets. Let’s find more about bunny ear cactus propagation in this article.
What is a bunny ear cactus?
Bunny ears cactus is a famous succulent among the succulents’ enthusiasts due to its easy maintenance and attractive looks.
These are endemic plants to Mexico, and they go by the common names bunny ear cactus, angel wing cactus and polka dot cactus.
This is a prickly cactus, and they would not look threatening as the other cactus. You could spot them carrying a white dot on the bunny ear surface.
They are called glochids, and they are the small spots of the spines of these plants. Hence when propagating them, I encourage you to protect yourself from wearing gloves.
This article is about the Bunny ear cactus propagation methods and the after care tips you need to know after propagation.
Bunny ears cactus propagation by cutting?
Just like with rest of other succulents, you can propagate the Bunny ear cactus also by cuttings.
Before starting, keep in mind that they could irritate your skin if you touch it barehand. That is simply because they have a defense system. Hence protect yourself from that by wearing a pair of gloves.
- First of all, select a mature plant which looks healthy.
- Next you need to break off the pads while using some tweezers.
After that you can dip the cuttings in a rooting hormone. It is not compulsory to do, and it is up to you to decide whether you should do it or not. Literally if you are an impatient gardener, you may proceed with this step. Further if you proceed with this, you can always guarantee the success of this propagation method. That is because simply they can speed up the rooting process. - Next, you can prepare the soil mix along with some premixed cactus potting soil.
- Further you should pick a pot which is made of clay, and which is slightly larger than the size of the Bunny ear cactus.
- In the meantime, let those cuttings heal and wither.
- Next place them in the soil for about one inch deep.
You need to make sure that you water them properly whilst exposing them to enough sunlight. You could see how they produce roots within a few days’ time. Ensure that you practice the aftercare treatments so that it will further enhance the growth of the roots.
Do they produce seeds?
Yes, they produce seeds.
The bunny ear cactus produces a beautiful yellow coloured flower and from that flower they produce a purple color fruit. That fruit contains seeds and you can use those seeds to plant a new bunny ears cactus. Normally one seed of this plant is worth $ 0.7.
Do they produce offsets
Bunny ear cactus produce pads and you can use them to have multiple plants of your well grown matured Bunny plants.
Instead of purchasing new plants, you can use this propagation method and make new plants. Using their flatty pads for propagation is easy and convenient.
You need to await until summer to conduct the propagation as then you can guarantee the results of the same. Bunny ear cactus produce multiple healthy pads and you can simply detach them from the mother plants.
Having said that you should protect yourself when conducting this propagation through these pads too.
Unless it would irritate your skin. Glochids are what cause the irritations in your skin. As such, best is to wear thick gloves when interacting with these plants.
To start off, you should first group the cacti in at least three pads.Next, let the pads wither and develop callus for a few days.
After that, you need to remove the baby stems and then plant those pads in a container in which you have filled with a fresh cactus soil mix.
The right soil mix to use for the propagation would be a succulent soil mix or a cactus soil mix.
Alternatively, you can mix 2 parts of multipurpose peat free compost and 1 part of horticultural sand and horticultural grit. Further you may also use pure sand which you had moistened for this purpose.
When you place the pads, ensure that you plant them in a depth of about 2.5 cm. Next ensure that you place the specimen in a brightly lit place.
When you plant them in a 2.5 cm depth, it will provide them the right support and it will prevent probable rotting which could take place.
You may dip the pads in a rooting hormone also when doing this. They will develop roots after a few day;s time.
Can you root the Bunny ears cactus in water?
You can propagate the Bunny ear cactus in water.
How to treat after propagation
Sunlight requirement
Bunny Ear cactus love growing in full sunlight just like the rest of other cacti. Ideally the exposure for 6 hours of sunlight would be crucial for them to grow well.
Despite where you grow them, you should ensure that they can absorb sufficient sunlight. . However, if you find it difficult to expose them to sufficient sunlight, you can consider growing them closer to grow lights.
Ideally you can place a grow light about 6 inches to 1 foot below the plants. Moreover, a white fluorescent tube would be perfect for them.
You can use it for about 14-16 hours per day and it will be quite effective for the plant’s vigorous growth. It would be quite productive in supplementing the sunlight particularly during rainy dark days.
Soil requirement
Bunny Ear cactus could grow well if you provide them a special mix of potting medium as only then the root system of the Bunny Ear cactus could grow firmly as well as vigorously.
Alternatively, you can go ahead with a soil mix which is specifically made for succulents and for cactus.
No matter what soil mix you utilize, it needs to have excellent drainage and a good aeration.Ideally the substrate needs to be sandy and loose so that the roots can grow freely and firmly.
Besides, if you wish you can make a cactus soil mix on your own by mixing standard cactus soil mix and with perlite.
The right ratio should be 1:1. Not only that but also, you can add coarse sand also to further enhance the draining of the soil mix at a ratio of 1:1:1. This will provide sufficient nutrients and an excellent draining too.
Temperature requirement
Bunny Ear cactus used to grow in desert conditions.
Hence to mimic the same conditions they get in their natural habitats; you need to expose them for warmer temperatures in summer and cooler temperatures in winter.
During summer, a temperature range of 70-100 degrees Fahrenheit would be optimal for them. ( 21 degrees Celsius – 37 degrees Celsius).
On the other hand, a temperature range of 50-65 degrees Fahrenheit ( 10-18 degrees Celsius ) would be ideal during fall and winter.
These fluctuations in the temperature are an indication for them to enter the dormancy and to the active growing seasons.
Bunny Ear cactus will produce blooms only if they get a colder temperature in winter. Hence it is important that they have these shifts in temperatures.
Humidity requirement
Bunny Ear cactus are native to arid deserts in Mexico and to Arizona.
Hence , when it comes to the humidity aspect, they would prefer to have the same conditions that they get in their natural habitats. High humidity levels would be quite unhealthy for them.
A humidity level of 10-30 % would work well with these plants.
Hence if you grow them as houseplants, do not grow them closer to your moisture loving houseplants as these plants have contrasting humidity requirements with them.
In case, if there are high humidity levels, you can use a dehumidifier and control the humidity in your space.
Fertilizer requirement
When you grow them as indoor plants, they grow slowly.
Hence , if you apply some fertilizer for them, it will help them to enhance their growth. You may go ahead with regular house plant fertilizers for this purpose.
Having said that you need to dilute them with water to half strength and then apply. You could feed them just once a month during spring and summer and it will be adequate to provide the necessary nutrients for their growth.
Pot
Bunny Ear cactus are vulnerable for root rot just like the rest of other succulents.
Hence , I recommend you use clay pots which are slightly larger. Besides, they need to be deeper than the cactus root system as well.
More importantly they need to have draining holes too. Unless you will not be able to have good results even if you water them properly.
Water requirement
You need to water these plants properly as it is critical in looking after these plants well.
Despite these are desert grown plants, they would also prefer to have regular watering during some parts of the year like in summer.
Whenever the soil is dry, you need to resume watering them.
Besides, it is always best to under water them rather than over watering as there will be less repercussions from under watering when compared to overwatering.
Bunny Ear cactus can survive with minimal water during cooler periods. In fact, you can limit watering them to once a month during winter.
Further when watering, ensure that you do it thoroughly. Give it a good soak of water and allow the excess moisture to come out from the draining holes.
Next when you water them again, check whether it is dry from the previous watering and then water them again.
Conclusion
Bunny Ear cactus are such great picks for any succulent enthusiasts.
If you ensure they get plenty of sunlight, a dry and warmer environment along with occasional watering and fertilizing, they will grow to their best.
Regular repotting would also be helpful for them to grow vigorously. You can practice the aforesaid propagation tips and can easily make multiple plants of them.
Anybody would fall in love with these cuties. So, if you ever come across these plants, do not ever hesitate to start growing them as they will never disappoint you !
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