Offset with roots advice please?

[Heather]

The Echinopsis in these pics has an offset ( or is it a pup?) that has it's own roots. They are white and quite healthy looking. Do I need to do anything? If I sliced it off would I need to dry it or put the roots straight into soil?
Many Thanks.

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P1010032.JPG (58.17 KiB) Viewed 2667 times

[CactusFanDan]

Offsets/pups like that can be cut off and the roots placed directly into soil. You can leave it like it is if you want, though. I'd be more concerned with treating those mealie bugs on the pup's growing point.

[Heather]

Thank you Dan
I've picked all those bits off and I think they are bits of cat litter to be honest. Mind you, I wouldn't know a mealy bug if it got up and slapped me!

[Ron43]

Thank you Dan
I've picked all those bits off and I think they are bits of cat litter to be honest. Mind you, I wouldn't know a mealy bug if it got up and slapped me!

Try squashing it in your fingers. If it is a mealy bug it will squash flat and almost disappear, if it's cat litter it will keep some of it's original shape. If they are mealy bugs you can dab each one with rubbing alcohol on a Q-tip and it will kill them.

[Heather]

Thank you Dan
I've picked all those bits off and I think they are bits of cat litter to be honest. Mind you, I wouldn't know a mealy bug if it got up and slapped me!

Try squashing it in your fingers. If it is a mealy bug it will squash flat and almost disappear, if it's cat litter it will keep some of it's original shape. If they are mealy bugs you can dab each one with rubbing alcohol on a Q-tip and it will kill them.

Thank you Ron. I'll do that. I've also heard that spraying with soap water works. Is that true?

[CactusFanDan]

Yep, soap water can work just fine, since it dries out the mealies.

[Heather]

Yep, soap water can work just fine, since it dries out the mealies.

Thank you.

[BarryRice]

Regarding the pups....

I recommend putting on some gloves, then twist-bend the pup off. It should come off pretty cleanly. Cure the pup for a few days, then pot it up as normal.

[Heather]

Regarding the pups....

I recommend putting on some gloves, then twist-bend the pup off. It should come off pretty cleanly. Cure the pup for a few days, then pot it up as normal.

Cure? Sorry, what does "cure" mean and how is it done please?
Would I have to do anything to the wound/break on the parent plant?

[majcka]

Regarding the pups....

I recommend putting on some gloves, then twist-bend the pup off. It should come off pretty cleanly. Cure the pup for a few days, then pot it up as normal.

Cure? Sorry, what does "cure" mean and how is it done please?
Would I have to do anything to the wound/break on the parent plant?

I thinkk he meant to dry it up a little for a few days and only then to pot it.

[Onzuka]

Maja is correct. A better word would have been heal. it means to let the severed end dry out and callous over before potting it up. Steve

[Heather]

Thank you.

[BarryRice]

Yep, that's what I meant. Sorry about the poor word choice.

When you plant the pup, make sure the rooted area has good contact with the soil so the roots can grow happily.

[Heather]

Thank you.
Will the parent heal by itself then?

[BarryRice]

Yes, with good air circulation.

Mind you, we don't have a good ID for your plant, so caution is merited. But all the Echinopsis species and hybrids at UC Davis, that produce pups which bear roots while still on the plant, root very quickly when popped off the parent plant.