After the Start of Autumn, Hurry Up and Propagate This Plant by Cuttings - Every Pot Will Explode with Blooms
Growing flowers and plants is a hobby for many people, and choosing a flower that suits you and is not too difficult to grow is the greatest wish of every plant lover. For example, in summer we have different choices like jasmine and roses, so as we enter August, especially after the Start of Autumn, as temperatures gradually drop, what plants are suitable for us to grow? Here I recommend growing the Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera), and using the cutting method - not only is it simple to do, but the survival rate is also quite high. Want to know exactly how to do it? Then follow along and read on!
The Christmas cactus really is a type of ornamental plant we are all very familiar with. Compared to ordinary flowers, it has a relatively long blooming period, and the number of blooms in each flowering season is also very large. Plant one pot and place it at home, and it will instantly become the eye-catching focal point. The Christmas cactus is easy to grow, especially when using the cutting method. Autumn is the golden period for propagating Christmas cactus cuttings. In the early preparation stage, we can cut several leaf segments from a strong and disease-free mature Christmas cactus plant, and snap them apart at the nodes, with every two small segments serving as one cutting. After that, place the Christmas cactus cuttings in a ventilated and shaded place to dry.
Once the "raw material" is ready, let's deal with the soil for cuttings. In this respect, the Christmas cactus actually has no special requirements - weakly acidic or weakly alkaline soil can both ensure its smooth growth. We can prepare some sandy soil, leaf mold, and large-particle stones and mix them in a 2:2:1 ratio to make a special growing medium. This mixed soil can ensure sufficient water permeability and air permeability while also providing fertility, making it suitable for Christmas cactus during the cutting stage. Of course, as the plant continues to grow, this soil can continue to be used, though attention needs to be paid to subsequent fertilizing.
Now formally entering the cutting step, we need to insert the previously prepared Christmas cactus leaf segments into the soil, at a depth of about 2 cm, and a certain distance needs to be kept between the segments. The specific spacing should be decided based on the size of the pot and soil and the number of leaf segments prepared. A basic point to keep in mind is to ensure that all the leaf segments can fully receive sunlight. After cutting is complete, water lightly - on one hand, it makes the soil moist, which is more conducive to the growth of the leaf segments; on the other hand, moist soil can also help the Christmas cactus hold its shape, so we don't end up growing a "crooked-necked tree"!
After the above steps, we have actually completed the cutting of the Christmas cactus, but this is not the end. Afterwards, we need to place it in a well-ventilated environment with a moderate temperature. After about 5 days, we can take it out to get some sun. Of course, in the time that follows, we need to observe the growth of the Christmas cactus about once every week, so that we can respond promptly if we encounter pests or diseases. And when the soil dries out, we need to replenish water in time. Continue this for about a month and a half, and the Christmas cactus cuttings will have taken root. At that point, transplant them into another container to ensure normal growth. When the flowering season arrives, what you harvest will be a sea of blooms!