How to graft a Christmas cactus? You will master the detailed grafting method at a glance
There are mainly two ways to propagate a Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera truncata): cuttings and grafting. Although the survival rate of cuttings is high, the plants produced are not attractive, so grafting is generally used more often. Below, the editor will explain the grafting method for Christmas cactus:
Grafting method for Christmas cactus:
1. Grafting time
The grafting time can be in late spring and early summer, or late summer and early autumn, but late spring and early summer is best. In the Zhejiang area, mid-May is the most suitable, as this is the peak growing season for both the Christmas cactus and the cactus, so ideal scions and rootstocks can be selected; in addition, the temperature is suitable at this time, the compatibility between scion and rootstock is strong, they are not prone to rot, and the survival rate is relatively high.
For the scion, choose vigorous young branches; the part with the tip is the most ideal, about 8-10 cm long. Use cactus as the rootstock, choosing a one-year-old single-pad cactus kept specially for use as a rootstock, about 15 cm long, with flesh of moderate thickness.
2. Grafting steps
(1) Select a one-year-old branch of cactus that is strip-shaped, not too thick in flesh but vigorous in growth, and free of pests and diseases, as the rootstock, with a length of 8-12 cm. Remove it from the mother plant, cut the lower end into a flat opening, and insert it into sandy loam to cultivate for 2-3 months. Once it survives, it can be used as a grafting rootstock.
(2) Select a robust mother Christmas cactus plant, and from it choose a relatively tender top branch of the current year with nodes as the scion, with a length of 3-4 cm (if the scion is too long, its growth will be weaker after sprouting). Use a blade sterilized with alcohol to cut both sides of the lower part of the scion into a wedge shape, with a cut length of about 0.8-1.2 cm.
(3) The cactus selected for grafting should be wider than the scion. Whether the top of the cactus is flattened or not is optional. When grafting, choose a thin bamboo skewer as wide as the scion, insert it vertically downward from the exact center of the cactus top along the flat direction to make a slot 1.5-2 cm deep as the interface, then quickly insert the scion into the interface of the rootstock.
3. Post-grafting care
Once the Christmas cactus is grafted, this is only the first step in graft propagation. The subsequent care is also very important for the survival of the Christmas cactus.
(1) Do a good job of shading and avoiding light. The newly grafted Christmas cactus, because it has just been separated from the plant, is very prone to wilting from excessive water loss, so at this time it must be moved to a shaded place to reduce water evaporation.
(2) After grafting, water appropriately, keeping the potting soil slightly moist. Under normal circumstances, water once every three or four days, and be very careful when watering to avoid water entering the cut.
(3) Fertilize at the right time. After grafting, if it still has not wilted after half a month, it means it has survived. Fertilize appropriately one month later to promptly supply the nutrients needed for plant growth.
(4) Set up supports in time. After the Christmas cactus survives grafting, because its stem segments are relatively soft, supports should be set up in time and tied appropriately during its growth to keep the plant shape complete and attractive.
(5) Prevent diseases and control pests in time. Christmas cactus is prone to rot disease. If rot disease occurs, it can be scraped off with a sterilized small knife and disinfected by applying sulfur powder. The main pests of Christmas cactus are scale insects and aphids.
If they occur, when the number is small, they can be brushed off with a brush; when the number is large, 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate at 1000 times dilution or 50% fenitrothion emulsifiable concentrate can be used for spraying to kill them, and spray again after 20 days. Washing powder can also be used, mixed with water at a weight ratio of 1:150, stirred evenly, and sprayed once every 5 days; spraying continuously 2-3 times can control them.
Grafting is the best way to propagate Christmas cactus. The plants that grow are relatively attractive, and whether for viewing alone or for decorating and beautifying a room, they can produce very good effects. The grafting method for Christmas cactus is introduced here, and I hope it is helpful to everyone.
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