Propagating Christmas cactus by cuttings in autumn: use this and it grows big white roots in ten days without rotting
When it comes to the Christmas cactus, I believe gardening friends are all familiar with it. It has thick, fleshy leaves and belongs to the cactus family, but it is not a true cactus. Its flowers are bright in color and bloom at the tips of the leaves. Its normal flowering season is in winter, but if the Christmas cactus is kept indoors, its flowering period can be regulated through light and temperature, so a flowering Christmas cactus can be seen in all four seasons.
Christmas cacti are all propagated by cuttings, and spring and autumn are generally the right seasons, which is to say, right now is especially suitable for taking Christmas cactus cuttings. When it comes to taking Christmas cactus cuttings, many gardening friends get a headache, because Christmas cactus cuttings always run into the problems of blackening, rot and decay. So what can be done to improve the survival rate of Christmas cactus cuttings?
This is also the topic we are sharing today, let's take a look!
Taking "Christmas cactus" cuttings in autumn, use "it" and big white roots grow in 10 days, with no fear of "black rot"
(One)
Soak some willow branches to make rooting water. Christmas cactus loves it, and it will survive no matter how you take the cuttings
Seeing the subheading, gardening friends all know that to make Christmas cactus root quickly, you need to use willow branches to make rooting water. So why is rooting water made from willow branches so magical?
When it comes to willow, I believe gardening friends all know it is a plant with especially strong growth ability. It can grow all over the country, and after cuttings it quickly roots and sprouts. If fertilizer and water keep up, it soon grows into a lush little willow. Why does willow have such strong growth ability?
This is mainly because willow contains large amounts of "salicylic acid" and "aspirin". Salicylic acid is a plant growth agent that can promote plant rooting and sprouting; plainly put, it is a plant growth hormone. Aspirin has an antiseptic effect and can prevent plant root rot, so these two substances make willow so powerful.
Later, some expert gardeners took advantage of this characteristic of willow to make rooting water, and the result was superb. It really makes whatever you take cuttings of survive, and after survival, if you water it with willow branch water, it will show explosive growth.
The method for making willow rooting water is as follows:
Break off a few willow branches of the current year (branches of the current year are rich in sap), remove the leaves, and use a small knife to score the bark on the willow branches. Cut them into small pieces 3-4 cm long and soak them in clean water. The amount of water only needs to be a little more than enough to submerge the willow branches. Seal the opening, put it in a cool place, and after 3-4 days you can take the water to use as rooting water.
You can soak the Christmas cactus branches directly in the willow branch rooting water and root them directly in water; the effect is superb.
You can also take the cut Christmas cactus leaves, let them dry, soak them in the willow branch rooting water for 1-2 days, then take them out. After they dry, insert them directly for cuttings. After inserting them, you can cover them with a plastic bag and put them in a cool, ventilated place for care. The effect is also good. It can improve the survival rate of Christmas cactus cuttings.
(Two)
Other care for Christmas cactus
If you want the Christmas cactus to grow well, the other care after rooting is also very important. Let's take a look!
1. Light
The Christmas cactus is a light-loving potted plant. For home care, it needs to be placed in a bright, well-ventilated place for care, but note that it must not be exposed to strong sun in summer or during the high temperatures at noon. During the flowering period, light needs to be controlled; generally it can only be given 6-8 hours of light, and at other times it should be kept in complete darkness. In this way it will bloom quickly.
2. Watering
The potting soil for Christmas cactus needs to be loose and breathable, and it is best for the potting soil to be on the dry side. Do not water too much, and standing water in the pot is strictly forbidden. Water when the soil looks dry, and water thoroughly when you do.
3. Fertilizing
During the growing period, the Christmas cactus needs a large amount of nitrogen fertilizer. You can water it twice a month with fermented soybean water. When the flowering period comes, phosphorus fertilizer needs to be added; spraying a 0.3% monopotassium phosphate solution can achieve good results.
That's all for today's sharing