Detailed Explanation of How to Graft Cactus with Crab Claw Orchid
Mini-series on Plant Management: An introduction to home gardening with cactus and crab claw orchids, a detailed explanation of how to graft cactus with crab claw orchid, next, the editor will provide you with detailed answers
After April, except for a few provinces, the temperature in most parts of the country is above 15 degrees Celsius. This kind of climate is very suitable for the grafting conditions of cactus rootstock and crab claw orchid scion. However, good external conditions alone are not enough, and necessary grafting skills must also be paid attention to. Allow the grafted crab claw orchid scion to heal quickly and ensure its survival. To ensure the survival of the graft, it is necessary to do a good job in the pre-grafting preparation, the key points to be mastered during the grafting process, and the management after the grafting. The following briefly describes these three issues.
1. Pre-grafting preparation
Before grafting, as the rootstock, the cactus must have been propagated and survived in the previous year. The selection of cactus is important and should be cold-resistant. Trichocereus (also known as the heavenly measuring stick) is not suitable due to its intolerance to cold. Different cactus varieties also show different cold resistance. Choose varieties that do not show shrinkage on the outer epidermis in winter. This indicates good cold resistance and strong resistance. Also, choose thick and flat stems that have grown in the current year, as too old or too young are not suitable. If there are no cactus stems that have survived from the previous year, it is also possible to propagate and graft at the same time. However, the survival time after grafting will be extended.
To increase the survival rate, it is best to choose a single node with a single leaf as the scion at this time. Because at this time, the cactus stem first needs to solve the problem of its own root growth, and then it can provide nutrients for the scion. At this time, the nutrition (G-Y) of the scion can only rely on the internal juice reserves of the stem. Therefore, compared with the rooted cactus that is grafted while propagating, the survival time of the grafting is longer, the success rate of grafting is reduced, and it is reasonable to choose a single node with a single leaf as the scion. For rooted cacti, the scion can have multiple nodes, and each node can have multiple leaves, depending on the size of the rootstock. Multiple nodes and leaves are beneficial for rapid shaping. Generally speaking, it is better to use rooted cacti as the rootstock for grafting.
2. Key points to note during grafting Article Source: https://
The key points to note during grafting can be summarized into three points.
(a) Find the cambium layer of the rootstock. The basic principle of grafting is to combine the cambium layers of the rootstock and scion to heal them into one. Cacti are succulent plants, and the cambium layer is not obvious, existing in the vascular bundles. Therefore, only by determining the arrangement of the vascular bundles can the cambium layer be found. Cut the cactus horizontally with a knife, and the outermost layer of the cross-section that is dark green is the epidermis, the inner light green circular arrangement is the vascular bundle, and the middle light green part is the pith. For the graft to survive, the vascular bundles of the rootstock and scion must be mostly closely aligned.
(b) Select the scion: The scion should be selected from branches that are not too old or too tender. If the stem is large and thick, it indicates vigorous vitality, and the scion can be selected with multiple nodes, each with multiple leaves, which is beneficial for rapid shaping. After selecting the scion, use a sterilized blade to cut obliquely from the lower end of one node on both sides into a duckbill shape, with a cutting length of about 3 centimeters, and the outer epidermis of the raised main vein in the middle should also be cut off. In addition, it is easy to overlook that the top section of the main vein is uneven, and a little should be cut off and trimmed flat to make it easier to insert and contact firmly, accelerating healing, and ensuring the success of the graft. (c) Perform the grafting: Cut the rootstock stem into a V-shaped slit. The principle is to use the main vascular bundles as much as possible in the cutting surface and not let it dry. The requirement for cutting the rootstock slit is to make a longitudinal cut at the top of the rootstock, with the width and depth of the cut based on the cut surface of the scion, slightly larger and deeper. Then insert the scion. Since both the rootstock and scion have sticky liquid, the scion is easily mobile during grafting. A more effective method is to use two cactus thorns to secure it. To make it more reliable, after the thorns are fixed, drop candle wax around the joint for full closure. The benefits of this method are obvious. It prevents the joint from drying out on one hand and prevents bacterial infection on the other. It doesn't matter if water accidentally falls on the joint.
3. Management after grafting
After grafting, the grafted seedlings should be placed in a shaded and well-ventilated area. After watering well in the first few days after grafting, no watering should be done for at least half a month. If the pot has good quality and poor ventilation, the watering time can be extended. The general principle is to consider watering a little only after the graft has survived. Sometimes it can also be replaced with sprinkling. Cacti will never die of drought, only of overwatering and root rot. This is very important because frequent watering after grafting causes the concentration of the sticky liquid inside the cactus to decrease. That is to say, the proportion of internal water will increase, which generally causes the joint to rot, making it difficult for the rootstock and scion to heal, and the survival rate will be greatly reduced. It can be said that nine out of ten die from overwatering, and the author has learned from experience. In addition, in April, the internal physiological activities of the cactus rootstock have already begun to germinate, and sometimes young stems will appear at different parts of the rootstock. They should be pinched off at any time, otherwise they will compete with the scion for nutrients and inhibit the survival and growth of the scion.
Following the above requirements for grafting, it generally takes half a month to survive. It can also be self-assessed. After half a month, if the scion is upright and looks lively, and feels relatively solid to the touch, it is most likely to have survived. If the grafted seedlings are well managed, they can bloom a small amount in the same year, and by the second year, they can stand tall and present themselves for your appreciation.
The detailed explanation of the method of grafting cactus with crab claw orchid shared above is for reference and suggestion only!