How to handle the leaves pruned from Christmas cactus in summer so it blooms in a spectacular burst at the end of the year for a grand New Year celebration
Placing a potted plant indoors adds charm to life, cultivates character and soothes the spirit, and at the same time makes the environment more beautiful and life more comfortable.
The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) is a very popular flowering plant, much loved by people; its flowers are small and delicate, exquisite and charming, with strong ornamental value.
In summer, when pruning the Christmas cactus, do this with the cut-off leaves, and at the end of the year the flowers will burst into bloom for a joyful New Year celebration.
Summer weather is too hot; when the temperature exceeds 30 degrees, the Christmas cactus easily enters dormancy. So for a Christmas cactus that has entered dormancy, you need to reduce salt consumption, which can be done by pruning the leaves. Cut off some old, densely growing leaves to increase air circulation and light penetration, which helps it pass the summer safely and grow more vigorously.
Then the pruned leaves should not be wasted; use them for grafting, which both reduces the buildup of root rot and makes the Christmas cactus grow more vigorously, producing more flowers at the end of the year.
Select healthy Christmas cactus leaves and cut them into 2 to 3 segments. Prepare a cactus, and graft the Christmas cactus leaves onto the cactus. You can use the top grafting method and the side grafting method, or use both methods at the same time.
Top grafting method
Cut off the upper part of the cactus to expose the green part inside, then make a cut from the incision about 1 to 2 cm deep, with the width based on the cross-section of the Christmas cactus.
Peel off the skin on both sides of the Christmas cactus with a knife, insert it into the prepared cactus, secure it with cactus spines or toothpicks, and place it in a cool, bright spot with indirect light. In 7 to 10 days it will resume growth, after which move it into the sun for care.
Side grafting method
The side grafting method is also very simple. Treat the Christmas cactus the same way as above, make several cuts on the side of the cactus, insert the Christmas cactus into the cuts, secure with toothpicks, and place it in a cool, dark spot. In 7 to 10 days it will resume growth, after which move it into the sun for care.
Using cactus as rootstock to graft the Christmas cactus can improve the Christmas cactus's disease resistance, reduce the chance of root rot, make it grow more vigorously with firmer leaves, and bring the flowering period on schedule, blooming at the end of the year, both festive and lively!
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