How to graft Christmas cactus onto a cactus ball? Detailed explanation of the latest method
Grafting a Christmas cactus onto a cactus ball not only makes its shape beautiful, resembling a rockery with green trees, but also lets you see the beauty of the cactus ball's flowers in summer, and in the cold winter you can admire the beauty of the fiery red Christmas cactus flowers, making our homes more comfortable and healthy. Now let us take a look together at how to graft a Christmas cactus onto a cactus ball!
Treatment of rootstock and scion
1. Rootstock selection: The cactus ball used for grafting must be thick-fleshed and grow strongly. Its cultivation method follows the general cultivation method for cactus balls. Generally, choose a pot diameter of 30 cm, and graft when the cactus ball has grown to a height of 30 cm.
2. Scion selection: For the Christmas cactus used as the scion, select a robust mother Christmas cactus plant, and from it choose a relatively tender top branch of the current year that has nodes as the scion, with a length of 3-4 cm.
3. Scion treatment: Use a blade disinfected with alcohol to cut both sides of the lower part of the scion into a wedge shape, with a cut length of 0.8-1.2 cm. The grafting time is generally chosen in May or October; weather that is too cold or too hot is not conducive to its survival.
Grafting time and method
1. Choosing the time: Grafting is best during the Christmas cactus's growing period. Generally, grafting can be done from the end of March to October, but the best period is April to July. During this period, the grafting survival rate is high and growth is fast.
2. Insertion method: For a Pereskia rootstock with a diameter of less than 3.0 mm, choose one side and cut downward from top to bottom with one cut, exposing the wood. At the middle vascular bundle part of the scion base, use a sharp knife to cut an incision upward from bottom to top along the leaf surface, with the incision width the same as the width cut on the Pereskia. Insert the scion into the rootstock incision so that they fit closely together, then secure it with transparent tape or plastic film, etc.
3. Cleft grafting method: For a rootstock with a diameter greater than 3.0 mm, make a straight cut downward from top to bottom at the cut opening, with a depth of 1.5 cm. Peel off the epidermis on both the front and back sides of the scion base so that the vascular bundles are exposed and it forms a wedge shape. Insert the scion into the rootstock incision and align the vascular bundle part of the cut surface with the rootstock incision, then bind and secure it.
4. Building a support: After the grafted Christmas cactus survives, generally after about a year of growth, the Christmas cactus will surround the cactus ball. At this time, a support needs to be made so that the Christmas cactus hangs on the cactus ball like a fountain.
Care and management after grafting
1. Watering: When watering, grasp the principle of “water thoroughly after the soil dries out, do not water if it is not dry”. The water temperature should be as close as possible to the soil temperature. In summer, try to water in the morning or evening; in winter, water from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and pour the water directly onto the potting soil, otherwise it will affect the beauty of the spines.
2. Fertilizing: When fertilizing, grasp the principle of “timely, appropriate amount, and according to the target”. Fertilize in spring and autumn, once every 15 days. It should be done in the early morning or evening of a sunny day. The fertilizing method is to dissolve the fertilizer to be applied in water, pour it into the pot in the morning, and water thoroughly at one time for a better effect. Keep the concentration at about 0.2%.
3. Light: Cactus balls prefer sufficient sunlight, especially in winter they need full sunlight. In summer they mostly prefer semi-shade conditions, and in the high-temperature summer season they should be placed indoors. In winter, place them in a sunny room, and the Christmas cactus can bloom with fiery red flowers at Spring Festival.
4. Temperature: The suitable temperature for cactus balls is 20-35°C. In winter, it is advisable to maintain 10-18°C or higher. When the summer temperature is too high, shade it and sprinkle more water on the ground to lower the temperature.