Guide to Growing House Plants , for details on conditioning house plants to a change in environment. The cooler temperatures develop sturdier plants and encourage the formation of flower buds. Cool winter temperatures are not a necessity for cactus plants, but these conditions approach the environment in which cacti normally grow. Convenience often will decide the temperature at which cacti plants are maintained. Propagation Cacti usually are propagated by seeds, cuttings, or offsets.
Some species are more difficult to propagate than others.
Cuttings are pieces of cactus stem without roots. Allow cuttings to dry for a few days before placing in a rooting medium. This permits the cut surface to heal, or callus. The callus helps prevent rotting when the cutting is placed in the rooting material. Place cuttings in a rooting medium of equal parts peat moss and sharp sand.