When is the best time to propagate Schlumbergera by cuttings (method and time for Schlumbergera to survive by cuttings)

When is the best time to take cuttings of Christmas cactus?

First of all, the best seasons for cutting Christmas cactus are spring and autumn . But we personally think that spring is the best season. After the spring cuttings survive, they can bloom if they are well managed.

It is difficult to keep the Christmas cactus moist in autumn. There is no root system to absorb water during cutting, and it is easy to dry up in autumn . Therefore, I personally think that the best time for cutting is in spring when the temperature is stable at 18 degrees Celsius. Here are the details of cutting:

First, preparation of cuttings:

Choose healthy and full fleshy stems, preferably 2 to 3 years old and connected fleshy stems. This will help the cuttings to take shape faster. There are about 3 nodes for one cutting branch.

The cortex of the fleshy stems at the cutting site can be slightly cut, so that there will be more rooting points for cuttings later. Pruning tools must be disinfected before use to avoid infection of the wound and rot.

Pruning branches will form wounds. First, dry the wounds of Christmas cactus in a bright and well-ventilated place for 2 to 3 days until the wounds are slightly curled and a translucent "sugar-coated" film forms on the wounds.

Second, cutting planting material:

When cutting Christmas cactus, I prefer to use mixed planting materials, which are mixed in a ratio of 3:2. If you are worried that you can't fix the Christmas cactus, you can add vermiculite or small particles of red jade soil to the planting material.

The main properties of the cutting material should be air permeability and drainage. It is best not to contain humus, which can easily cause infection and rot in the wounds of the Christmas cactus.

When cutting, insert the crab claw into the planting material, about 2 to 3 centimeters. As long as the leaves of the Christmas cactus can stand upright without falling over, it will be fine.

After the cuttings are done, the surface of the pot can be paved with vermiculite or Akadama particles to prevent the fine particles of the soil from becoming runny and moving when watering, washing away the flower soil. Before cuttings, spray the planting material to a slightly wet state.

Third, maintenance and management after cutting:

1. After cutting, move the Christmas cactus to a bright and well-ventilated location. Don't rush to water it. When replenishing water, mainly use spray, spray once in the morning and evening every day, spray until the surface of the planting material is slightly wet and the leaves are moist.

Water thoroughly after three days. For the later period, continue the method of "don't water unless the soil is dry, and water thoroughly when it is".

2. After about a week, when the leaves of Christmas cactus are no longer shrunken and wrinkled, you can slowly expose them to light. Move the pot to a location with weak light for about 3 hours in the morning and evening.

Timely photosynthesis can speed up rooting. Cuttings have no roots to absorb water, so avoid strong sunlight exposure.

Fourth, management after survival:

The root system of the Christmas cactus will grow in about 20 days. The light intensity in spring is relatively weak, and the air is relatively humid. You can move the pot to a location with sufficient light to allow the Christmas cactus to photosynthesize better.

Be careful not to expose it to too much rain, and provide proper shade when the temperature is above 26 degrees Celsius. After about one and a half months of maintenance, you can move it to a flowerpot.