Cutting propagation methods and precautions for Christmas cactus

How to propagate Christmas cactus

Christmas cactus has a high ornamental value and is often grafted onto octopus or other rootstocks to obtain lush plants.

Grafting: First choose a good rootstock. The best rootstock is the cow tongue palm. It has a large plant shape, a strong trunk, and great supporting capacity. After grafting, it can hang freely downwards, which can enhance the ornamental value. Therefore, you can choose 1-2 sections of the cow tongue palm that are healthy, free of pests and diseases, and beautiful in shape for cuttings one year in advance.

Cuttings: Select healthy, disease-free Christmas cactus nodes 3-7, and insert the lower 1.5 nodes into the potting soil. Well-growing plants will bloom the following year, and later in the third year. The number of flowers will increase year by year.

Cutting propagation method of Christmas cactus

The best time to take cuttings of Christmas cactus is in spring and autumn, because the temperature is suitable and the air humidity is high, which is conducive to improving the survival rate and the plants can take root quickly. The specific cutting method of Christmas cactus is as follows:

1. Choose fleshy stems with thick branches and leaves, intact leaves, and no yellowing as cuttings. Cut them gently with a knife. The length should be 3 nodes. Too small or too large will cause the Christmas cactus to grow slowly. Place the cut Christmas cactus in a ventilated place to dry for a few days to allow the wound to heal. Since the root system of the Christmas cactus is not well developed, it is recommended to use single-node cuttings, so that the growth rate will be faster.

2. The soil must have good nutrition, air permeability and drainage capacity, otherwise it will be unfavorable for rooting and growth. You can use humus soil mixed with a little volcanic rock as the matrix, which can meet its rooting requirements. Because its roots are relatively shallow at the beginning, it can also be equipped with a wide and shallow flower pot, so that more cuttings can be planted at one time.

3. Insert the Christmas cactus branches steadily into the potting soil at an angle of about 3 cm, then put a plastic bag on it and place the flowerpot in a cool place away from direct sunlight, otherwise the leaves are in danger of rotting. Water it every 4 days to keep the soil moist, and do not allow water to accumulate in the pot.

Precautions for cuttings of Christmas cactus

The temperature is lower in winter. If there is no heating indoors, the temperature is only around 10 degrees. The growth of Christmas cactus will be relatively slow. It is not suitable for Christmas cactus cuttings at this time. The roots will grow slowly after cuttings, and improper watering may cause root rot.