How to Propagate Christmas Cactus from Leaf Cuttings and Key Aftercare Points
When it comes to the Christmas cactus, many aunts are surely most familiar with it; it blooms beautifully every winter and spring, and with good care the flowering period can be extended to summer, close to the dog days. However, once its flowering period ends, you can propagate small Christmas cactus plants from cuttings, and the well-rooted young plants can also be given as small gifts to relatives and friends.
Generally speaking, there are many ways to propagate the Christmas cactus, and the most suitable one for home propagation is none other than the "comb method". Specifically, what you use is the disposable plastic comb given out at hotels when traveling, or you can also use an old comb you no longer use to do simple propagation; this method is extremely efficient, and each time you can propagate at least 50 leaves or more. Then you also need to prepare a basin of clean water, a clean bowl or cup that can hold water, and of course a healthy Christmas cactus. Once everything is ready, first pick some healthy leaves off the potted Christmas cactus, giving priority to plump, firm, emerald-green and strong leaves, because thinner, paler leaves have a low rooting rate, and even if they grow later their condition will be relatively poor.
Generally, Christmas cactus leaves come off very easily; mainly just shake them gently left and right a few times and the leaves fall off naturally. The collected leaves only need to be inserted in order into the gaps between the teeth of the prepared comb, and that is done. The point to note here is that the base of the leaves must face the same side of the comb. Finally, fill the bowl or cup with clean water, place the comb on the rim of the bowl, and just let the base barely touch the clean water.
The propagated young Christmas cactus plants will naturally take root in about 15 days; when the stems at the base of the leaves reach 3 or more, they can be taken off the comb and transplanted into a small flower pot to continue growing. Then, when transplanting, choose a flower pot with a diameter of about 10~15 cm, and bury them to a depth of about 1/2~1/3 of the leaf; one such small flower pot can hold at most about 9 young plants. Finally, while the young plants have not yet grown strong, try to avoid direct sunlight and just place them in a ventilated spot with diffused light; after about another 15 days of care, you can return to normal Christmas cactus care.