Starting Night Blooming Cereus from Cuttings

On November 20th my husband was given a stalk of night blooming cereus for rooting. I have read several sites but none tell me where to cut the stalk for rooting. The stem is almost three feet long with a "Y" branch. One side of the "Y" is one foot long with a new shoot just off the tip and the other branch is two feet long. Do I cut only at the branch joints or can I divide up the three and two feet sections as well? I mentioned the date because it seems that this particular plant is very sensitive to specific times of the year. Any additional suggestions for propagating the cuttings would also be greatly appreciated.

As you guessed timing will influence your chance of success. Spring is the best time to start cacti from seed or cuttings. Since you have the cuttings you might as well give it a shot. Cut your cereus (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) into several smaller pieces. Cut the side shoots where they form the Y. Keep the main stem and try to root it as well. Allow the cut ends to callus over by storing the cuttings in a warm dry place for up to 2 weeks. Once the ends seal closed you can stick the cuttings (bottom end down) in a well drained cactus mix. Consider using a clay pot with drainage holes so the soil dries faster reducing the risk of rot. Place the potted cuttings in a cool bright location and wait for roots to form. Water only as often as you would a mature cactus. Avoid over watering that leads to root rot and death of the plant. In a few months you should have three new rooted cereus plants.          

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