Cutting method of Christmas cactus

Christmas cactus is favored by many gardening enthusiasts for its thick leaves and beautiful flowers. Christmas cactus has a long flowering period, and by pruning the remaining flowers after they wither, it can usher in a second or third flowering period. Christmas cactus is mainly propagated by leaf cuttings. Just cut off the leaves and insert them into the soil. Once they take root, they will quickly grow new leaves and soon form a brand new pot of Christmas cactus. The process of Christmas cactus cuttings is very simple. As long as you master the correct method, the survival rate can reach 100%. Let’s learn a method of Christmas cactus cuttings below.

1. Cutting time

The best time for Christmas cactus cuttings is in spring and autumn. The climatic conditions in these two seasons are conducive to improving the success rate of cuttings.

2. Select cuttings

Choose healthy, undamaged, brightly colored Christmas cactus stems as cutting materials. Use a knife to cut it gently, and keep the length to about 3 nodes. Too short or too long may affect the growth rate. The cut Christmas cactus should be placed in a ventilated place to dry in order to promote wound healing. Considering that the root system of Christmas cactus is shallow, it is recommended to use single-node cuttings to ensure that the root system can provide sufficient nutrients to promote rapid growth.

3. Soil Selection

The soil should have good nutrition, air permeability and drainage to facilitate the rooting and growth of Christmas cactus. It is recommended to use humus soil mixed with a small amount of volcanic rock as the culture medium to meet the rooting needs. Since the root system of Christmas cactus is shallow in the early stage, you can choose a wide and shallow flower pot to facilitate cutting multiple branches at the same time.

4. Cutting Techniques

Insert the Christmas cactus branches obliquely into the potting soil to a depth of about 3 cm, then cover them with a plastic bag to maintain humidity. Place the pot in a cool place out of direct sunlight to prevent leaf rot. Watering frequency is once every 4 days, keep the soil moist and avoid waterlogging.

The above is an introduction to the time and method of Christmas cactus cuttings. In fact, Christmas cactus cuttings are relatively simple. Flower lovers who are interested in it can study it carefully.