Soak Christmas cactus cuttings in willow branch water before propagating for a higher survival rate
Let me tell you, autumn is the best time for propagation and grafting. I have been wanting to graft the Christmas cactus I keep at home so it grows better and blooms more vigorously! Many people might say that whether it is propagation or grafting, there is always some risk - if you do not handle it well, the plant may not survive, and it is a bit like "losing the lady and losing your troops too."
Don't worry. Today let me tell you some little tricks that can help your Christmas cactus survive before you propagate or graft it.
It is actually not hard at all - we just need to soak it in "water." Of course, not ordinary water. Let's see what kind of water it is!
Anyone who grows flowers regularly must know about aspirin, right? For those who don't, let me fill you in: aspirin contains ingredients that can make plants grow quickly, speed up plant growth, and accelerate the rooting speed of Christmas cactus, so the survival rate will be a bit higher.
Aspirin actually has another function too - it can disinfect and preserve plant branches and cuttings. You should know that if a branch starts to rot or get infected, it becomes very difficult to deal with. Soaking in aspirin before propagation or grafting has plenty of benefits.
Besides aspirin, there is another kind of water that can also make Christmas cactus root quickly. This water is made by soaking willow branches. Many people may not know that willow trees contain a substance called salicylic acid, which can promote the growth of Christmas cactus. After willow branches are soaked in water, the water will naturally contain some salicylic acid, and that is the perfect time to soak Christmas cactus cuttings in it. As long as it can improve the survival rate of Christmas cactus, a little extra effort is worth it!
Soaking Christmas cactus in these two kinds of water before grafting will make it easier to survive, and then you can graft it. Before grafting, you also need to do your homework and use the correct techniques and methods to graft the plant, which will help ensure your grafting succeeds.
That is all for today's little tips. If you are also planning to propagate or graft a plant soon, why not give this method a try? These two little tricks come from the experience of fellow flower growers, so you can totally trust them! Finally, I hope your Christmas cactus blooms beautifully!