How to make grafted Disocactus and Schlumbergera grow vigorously
An introduction to the related topics of the succulent plant Disocactus, on how to make grafted Disocactus and Schlumbergera grow vigorously, let's take a look together!
Like many cactus enthusiasts, I am passionate about grafting, especially grafting Disocactus and Schlumbergera. Because if grafted well, the growth rate of Disocactus and Schlumbergera is very astonishing, usually two-year-old grafted plants can bloom two to three hundred flowers, and plants over three years old can bloom a thousand flowers.
However, not all grafted plants grow this well. Some may survive after grafting, but they just don't grow fast, completely failing to show the advantages of grafting. How to solve this problem, according to my years of practice, attention should be paid to three aspects: before grafting, during grafting, and after grafting as well as daily maintenance:
(一) Issues to note before grafting.
1. Soil. The soil should be loose, breathable, and have some fertility, preferably with a base fertilizer. Don't assume that cacti can grow rough and easily without choosing soil or needing much fertilizer when grown alone. Think about it, will the soil be able to support hundreds or thousands of leaves of Disocactus and Schlumbergera without being fertile?
2. The rootstock should be very thick. This issue should not be underestimated. For example, when choosing a cactus as the rootstock, the thickness of the cactus should reach 3 centimeters or more. Thickness is the primary factor in choosing the rootstock, and whether it has roots can only be considered a secondary factor. If the rootstock is not thick, don't rush to graft, but rather, fatten it up. The method of fattening is simply: get more sun and less rain (water).
(二) Issues to note during grafting.
1. Choose combinations with strong affinity. Generally, cacti are grafted onto Schlumbergera, and Hylocereus (three-angled arrow) is grafted onto Disocactus.
2. Grafting should be done on a clear day with temperatures between 25-30 degrees Celsius (slightly hot for humans), around the "May 1st" and "National Day" holidays are most suitable. Too hot and the scion is prone to rot, too cold and it's most likely to grow poorly after surviving.
3. Choose large branches for the scion, with each grafted branch having four to five level branches, totaling twenty to thirty segments is not too many, and there's no need to remove the tender leaves. Practice has proven that choosing large, strong branches grows faster than choosing weak, small branches.
4. Grafting method. The grafting method is not as complex as we imagine. First, make a 30-45 degree angle cut 4 to 5 centimeters deep at the intended grafting site with a small knife, leave the knife in place, then use another blade to cut the scion, on the downward side of the scion, about one-third should be cut斜削 to expose the xylem, then pull out the small knife and insert the scion, making sure to insert the cut part of the scion completely, hold it in place for a few seconds to prevent it from slipping out. Of course, it's better to disinfect the small knife and blade, the simplest method is to burn them with a lighter for a few seconds.
(三) Issues to note after grafting and in daily maintenance.
1. Place the grafted plants in a shaded area for about a week, in the second week, expose them to one to two hours of sunlight in the morning, and gradually increase the exposure time.
2. Do not water for a week before grafting and about two weeks after grafting. After two weeks, water a small amount and spray water on the leaves in the morning and evening to aid in survival.
3. Watering should be minimal, about once a month. During the vigorous growth period (when there are tender leaves or flower buds), it can be slightly more frequent, once every half month. After flowering, there is a period of dormancy, during which you should not water, but you can spray more water on the leaves to shorten the dormancy period.
4. Master the characteristics of the rootstock and scion, and create conditions that are beneficial to both. The rootstock prefers sunlight, unless it's extremely hot in summer, try to get as much sun as possible, but the scion prefers semi-shade, too much sun is not good. You can cover the scion with newspaper while allowing the rootstock and pot to receive more sunlight.
The above introduction on how to make grafted Disocactus and Schlumbergera grow vigorously is for reference by netizens.