Peacock Ball Cutting Method
As a star variety among succulent plants, the Peacock Ball is deeply favored by gardening enthusiasts for its unique scaly protuberances and easy maintenance characteristics. Mastering the correct cutting propagation method can lead to exponential multiplication of your Peacock Ball, creating an astonishing succulent landscape.
Peacock Ball Cutting Environment Preparation
Best Cutting Season Selection
The temperature difference between day and night is stable at 18-28℃ from May to September, and the humidity can reach over 60% at this time, providing an ideal environment for callus formation of the cuttings. It is recommended to operate on the third day after consecutive sunny days, avoiding the high humidity of the plum rain season.
Substrate Mixing Golden Ratio
A mixture of Perlite/Vermiculite/coarse sand in a ratio of 3:2:1 is recommended. This combination can not only ensure a 50% porosity for rapid drainage but also sustain microelements through the ion exchange properties of vermiculite. The mixture should be sterilized with high-temperature steam before use to eliminate the risk of fungal infection.
Peacock Ball Branch Processing Technique
Select the top 10-15cm semi-woody branches, and cut them diagonally at a 45-degree angle with branches剪 that have been wiped with alcohol. Key detail: The cut must be more than 0.5cm away from the leaf axil, retaining 3-4 complete scales. Dry in a well-ventilated area with scattered light, and wait until a semi-transparent callus film forms on the cut (about 48 hours) before cutting.
Professional Level Cutting Operation Standards
Dip the base of the cutting in a rooting powder containing 0.1% naphthylacetate, and insert it into the substrate 2-3cm deep. Use an intermittent misting system to maintain an air humidity of 80%-90%, combined with 4 hours of 10,000Lux supplementary light every day. White new root points can be seen on the 15th day, at which time the light can be gradually increased to 20,000Lux.
Rooted Seedling Maintenance Management
Transplant when the roots have developed to a length of 3cm, using a 70% granular soil mixing matrix. Keep the soil slightly moist for the first 2 weeks, and apply a 2000-fold dilution of HB-101 vitality factor every 10 days. Pay attention to the condition of the new scales, and when they show the characteristic blue-green patterns, it indicates that the plant has fully adapted to the new environment.
Through systematic cutting management, the success rate of Peacock Ball propagation can reach over 90%. It is recommended to reserve 1/3 of the healthy branches of the mother plant each season for continuous propagation, which can maintain the beauty of the plant shape and obtain a large number of high-quality seedlings.