How to graft Christmas cactus to achieve a high survival rate?

Grafting Christmas cactus is an effective way to increase its growth rate and flowering effect. Many flower lovers are confused about the timing and method of grafting Christmas cactus. In fact, as long as you master the key points, grafting Christmas cactus can become simple and have a high success rate. Let’s learn how to graft Christmas cactus to achieve a high survival rate.

1. Choice of grafting time

The best time to graft Christmas cactus is closely related to temperature. Grafting should be carried out during a period when the temperature is between 15 and 25 degrees. Such temperature conditions are conducive to rapid survival and healing after grafting. Spring and autumn are ideal times for grafting because the temperature is just right, which is conducive to the healing of the grafted area and the growth of the plant.

2. Selection of rootstock

Selecting the correct rootstock is critical to the success of grafting. It is not recommended to use cactus or dragon bones as rootstocks because their root systems are weak or have low affinity with Christmas cactus. The ideal rootstock should be a fast-growing cactus plant that can provide nutrients for a long time, such as a thick cactus, pitaya branches or leaf fairy. Whereas cactus as a rootstock may only sustain grafting effects for a few years, leaf cactus can provide longer-lasting grafting effects.

3. Management after grafting

When grafting, ensuring that the cambium of the Christmas cactus and the rootstock are tightly aligned is the key to a successful graft. The cambium is the white part in the middle of the Christmas cactus, the oval line in the middle of the cactus, or the round part in the middle of the pitaya branch. Only when the cambium layers are in contact can the grafted site heal quickly and survive.

4. Maintenance after grafting

After successful grafting, pay attention to maintenance. During the growing season, water and fertilize in time, maintain sufficient light, and avoid direct sunlight in summer. Pay attention to keeping warm in winter, especially when using dragon fruit branches as rootstocks, make sure the temperature is not lower than 10 degrees to prevent water from melting in the stem flesh.

In summary, by mastering the key points of grafting, even a novice in flower growing can successfully graft Christmas cactus, allowing it to grow quickly and bloom beautiful flowers. Remember, correct grafting timing and rootstock selection are the keys to successful grafting of Christmas cactus.