Cutting off damage on cactus

[jeanccc]

What time of the year to cut a damaged Pilosocereus magnificus azureus cactus to get it to produce new growth and start cutting. I'm in San Clemente, California.

thanks, Jean

[cosmotoad]

I'd guess some time in early to mid spring would probably be best. If you cut now it would probably callous ok but wouldn't do a whole lot growth wise until the warmer seasons. You might be able to get that cutting above the damage to root over the next few months though, and then it'll be ready to start growing in spring/summer. I suppose it's never that cold in California so you could probably do it any time really, as long as you keep it dry

I'd chop off the cutting just above that hole/scar area and stand it on dry soil, you can bury it a little but not too much, use a stake to hold it up at first if you have to. Then I'd chop off any remaining damage and leave the stump as is, in the same pot and everything, and you should see little offshoots coming out when it feels like growing again. I've only rooted a few cuttings in my cactus career so I'm no expert, but that's the way I'd go about it

[ElieEstephane]

Yep i'd also cut above the scar since it will eventually break at that weak point