Leaf cuttings for Christmas cactus: do these things and it will fill the pot in no time
Whether it is clivia or Christmas cactus, these are plants commonly kept by flower growers at home, especially the Christmas cactus. Its leaves are segmented one section after another, and the flowers are pink, very cute. So today, Huahua will tell everyone about the process of Christmas cactus leaf cuttings!
The propagation methods of Christmas cactus are mainly divided into two types: one is grafting, and the other is cutting. Because cuttings have a high survival rate and low cost, this method is becoming more and more popular.
First, we need to choose a healthy Christmas cactus. After it blooms, we will all prune it, and after removing the flower, the topmost leaf is the most nutritious. Using this kind of leaf for the operation will greatly increase the survival rate. The removed leaf should first be placed in a cool and ventilated place and left to dry for a day. Once its wound has healed, it can be used for cuttings.
When cutting the leaves, pay attention not to remove too many at once. Just keep 2-3 sections, so that it will have enough nutrients to grow!
Next is preparing the potting soil. We can use a special seedling pot. We should decide the size of the pot according to the number of cutting leaves. As for the soil, it must ensure good water permeability. In addition, slightly finer soil can speed up the rooting of the leaves. Then the leaves can be inserted into the flower pot. When inserting, be careful to face the wounded part downward!
Remember to water, but not too much. Just keep the soil slightly moist. Then we can put a plastic bag over the flower pot. This can effectively ensure the humidity of its growing environment, thereby speeding up rooting. However, a few small holes should also be poked in the plastic bag to allow air circulation, otherwise it will easily suffocate the leaves.
Next, place the plant in a place without direct sunlight, because under strong light it cannot root normally. After about two weeks, we can check whether it has rooted. If many fine roots have grown, it means the leaf cutting was successful. Then we can take it out of the seedling pot and transplant it into a larger pot.
Under normal care, before long you will see a brand-new Christmas cactus. It prefers a moist environment. During growth and flowering, it can be watered once a week, but after flowering it should be kept appropriately dry and watered once every half month. It must be placed in a semi-shady environment, as too strong sunlight will seriously damage the leaves.