How many sections are best for Schlumbergera cuttings (Schlumbergera cutting propagation methods and techniques)

How many leaves should be left for cuttings of Christmas cactus?

Christmas cactus is an epiphytic plant of the Cactaceae family . There is a growth point between each leaf section. The growth point is the bud point , which is the place where the roots of the Christmas cactus cuttings will grow in the future.

Therefore, when propagating Christmas cactus cuttings, no matter how many leaves are retained, the premise should be to retain the complete growth point.

In order to prevent excessive consumption of water and nutrients before rooting, and to avoid apical dominance, the longer the branches of Christmas cactus cuttings, the better.

Generally, 1-2 plump and thick leaves are sufficient, which not only take root quickly but also consume less and have a high survival rate .

Simple method of cutting Christmas cactus

Keep 1 to 2 leaves of the pruned Christmas cactus, dry the wound and set aside. At the same time, prepare a loose and breathable sterile cutting medium, such as sandy loam, peat soil, small-grain vermiculite, etc.

Insert the dried Christmas cactus leaves into the seedling soil to the depth of half the leaf, keeping a certain distance between them. Then spray a small amount of water with a fine spray. Place them in a well-ventilated and diffused light environment and let them take root naturally.

It usually takes about two weeks for Christmas cactus cuttings to take root. During this period, avoid exposure to the sun and rain, and keeping the soil slightly moist is more conducive to survival. After two weeks, you can gradually increase the light and maintain normal maintenance .

After it takes root, continue to grow it for about 2 weeks, and then transplant it when the root system is well developed. Generally, it is transplanted in spring, and it will bloom in the autumn and winter of the same year.

The natural flowering period of Christmas cactus is from October to February. Timely pruning and nutrient supplementation after the flowers fade is conducive to nutrient return and can alleviate the symptoms of shriveled and soft leaves after flowering.

After pruning, you can also change the pot and soil, which is conducive to the Christmas cactus to re-enter the vegetative growth stage, and the quality of flowering in the next season is more guaranteed. At the same time, you can try cuttings in your spare time, which is also a two-birds-with-one-stone!