Graft Christmas cactus now: use the right trick for fast survival and vigorous new growth

In September, the weather is neither cold nor hot, making it the perfect time to graft Christmas cactus or Thanksgiving cactus. The survival rate is high, new shoots sprout quickly, the shape looks good, and root rot is less likely! Today, Huahua will introduce several different grafting methods~

Grafting Christmas cactus (or Thanksgiving cactus) onto cactus: cold-resistant and drought-resistant

Grafting onto cactus is relatively simple and easy. Its advantages are good cold resistance and drought resistance, and it is convenient to manage.

Grafting steps

1. Choosing the rootstock and scion

Choose a robust, thick-leaved cactus as the rootstock; the yellow-spined type is fine;

Use Christmas cactus segments with a relatively high degree of lignification as the scion, pinch off the head and tail, and remove the tender leaves at the top and the old leaves at the bottom.

2. Find a utility knife, simply disinfect it with alcohol, cut off the top part of the rootstock horizontally, then use the blade to peel off the epidermis from 1/4 below the scion to expose the white xylem.

Note that both sides of the scion must be cut into wedge-shaped cuts of the same size. It is best to make the cut in one stroke, not repeatedly.

3. At the horizontal cut on the cactus, offset from the middle, use the blade to cut a V-shaped slot vertically downward, about 2~3cm deep, then immediately insert the prepared scion into it so that the rootstock and scion are closely connected,

4. At the horizontal cut on the cactus, offset from the middle, use the blade to cut a V-shaped slot vertically downward, about 2~3cm deep.

5. Depending on the height of the cactus, you can make several cuts on the side of the leaf to graft multiple layers of Christmas cactus.

6. Care

After grafting, move it to a shady place and cover the outside of the pot with a plastic bag to increase air humidity.

Water only after 10 days from grafting, once every 3~4 days, but do not water too much. Keep the soil slightly moist. If the scion has not shriveled after 25 days, it means it has survived, and new stems and leaves will grow within 2 months.

Grafting Christmas cactus (or Thanksgiving cactus) onto dragon bone cactus: rapid growth

Dragon bone cactus is the most common type of rootstock and is also used the most. Its advantages are very obvious: after grafting, the growth rate can increase by 4~5 times.

Grafting steps

1. Choosing the rootstock and scion

Choose a robust dragon bone cactus as the rootstock, select Christmas cactus leaves in good condition as the scion, and cut the lower end of the scion into a wedge shape.

2. Use a sterilized sharp knife to make a horizontal cut at the top of the dragon bone cactus, then cut several V-shaped slots downward, then immediately insert the scion into the cuts, and you can use toothpicks to pierce and secure it.

3. You can also continue to make several more cuts on the three ridges of the dragon bone cactus to graft multiple layers of Christmas cactus.

The post-grafting care techniques are the same as above.

Grafting Christmas cactus (or Thanksgiving cactus) onto Pereskia: drought-tolerant, waterlogging-tolerant, and fast to propagate

Using Pereskia as the rootstock has many benefits: you can graft repeatedly at the same spot, and it does not matter if it fails; it grows quickly, is drought-tolerant and waterlogging-tolerant, and rarely rots at the roots!

Grafting steps

1. Choosing the rootstock and scion

Choose 1~2-year-old Pereskia branches as the rootstock, about 5mm in diameter; use well-growing Christmas cactus leaves as the scion.

2. Grafting

Cut off the top of the Pereskia branch, use a sharp knife to make a horizontal cut 1cm deep at the position where you will graft, then cut the bottom of the scion into a wedge-shaped cut. After preparing, quickly insert it into the rootstock and secure it with a grafting clip.

3. After grafting, place it in a cool, ventilated place, keep the soil slightly moist, and do not let water touch the graft interface.

Besides the types above, Christmas cactus can also be grafted onto aloe, dragon fruit, Rhipsalidopsis, cactus balls, and other plants. The steps are all similar, so Huahua will not introduce them one by one. Below, let me tell you how to improve the survival rate of Christmas cactus grafting!

How to improve the survival rate of Christmas cactus grafting?

1. The rootstock's potting soil must be dry

When grafting, be sure to ensure that the rootstock's potting soil is dry! Most rootstocks are in the cactus family. If the potting soil is moist, by nature the plant will continuously absorb water and store it for use during drought. Grafting under such conditions makes the interface prone to seepage and rot.

2. Grafting tools must be disinfected

When cutting the incisions, the knife must be disinfected with alcohol. Knives that have touched water or rust generally carry pathogens, which can easily infect the rootstock and scion and greatly reduce the survival rate.

3. Do not drip wax or touch water at the interface

Many people like to seal the interface tightly with wax to speed up fusion, but this creates an oxygen-free environment, causing the scion at the interface to be unable to breathe, making fusion less likely. Simply secure it directly with toothpicks or a grafting clip.

Flower friends, have you all learned it?

While the weather is good, hurry up and graft!

Remember to share the little tips with friends~

?