How to Graft Cattleya orchid onto Yexian Tutorial
This article provides a detailed introduction on how to graft Cattleya orchids onto Yexian, with specific details as follows:
Yexian can be grafted before cutting, but this operation is somewhat challenging, so beginners should avoid trying it.
Yexian is also known as Yexian cactus or Mulinsen. It is a plant from the cactus family, with exceptionally developed roots and a very fast growth rate. The compatibility of grafting plants from the cactus family is excellent, so many people like to use Yexian as the rootstock for grafting, as it grows very fast.
Whether grafting Cattleya orchids, cactus, or sword lilies onto Yexian, the wound will heal and the plant will survive in about 7 to 10 days, and start growing in about 20 days.
They can take advantage of Yexian's strong root system to achieve rapid growth, propagation, and flowering, which are the benefits of grafting.
Usually, grafting plants wait for the rootstock to develop roots before grafting, so that nutrients are quickly transmitted, the healing is fast, and the survival rate of cuttings is very high.
Yexian's branches are like sticks, although its cutting is very easy and it basically survives when it touches soil, the plant itself does not have much nutrients, mainly relying on its strong root system for growth and development.
If it is grafted without rooting, during the wound healing period, it will only consume the nutrients in the branches, and it also needs to consume the branch nutrients to root quickly.
Under double consumption, improper operation or watering can easily cause the plant to wither and retract. Therefore, when using Yexian to graft plants, it is best to graft after it has rooted and is growing normally.
Cacti can also be used as rootstock because their leaves are particularly thick.
Using it to graft plants from the cactus family can be done even without rooting, as the leaves contain enough nutrients to supply the healing and growth of the contacting leaves. Even if the cactus has not rooted after a month, it will not become too thin, as the succulent leaf flesh contains enough nutrients to supply the Cattleya orchid leaves for growth.
Grafting Cattleya orchids onto Yexian requires the cambium layers of both plants to be fully aligned for healing.
Just cut open the epidermis of Yexian to expose the white cambium layer, expose the cambium layer of the Cattleya orchid leaf, and align them properly before securing them with clips.
After the grafting takes, they grow very fast, and one year can be as good as two or even three years, allowing the Cattleya orchid leaves to grow lush and bloom more frequently, and also easily survive the summer dormancy period.
【Summary】
First, choose a well-pruned Yexian plant for grafting, then prepare the tools and healthy Cattleya orchid stems with full leaves. Make a diagonal cut on the Yexian stem where you want to graft, just enough to insert the Cattleya orchid cut.
Then, make a diagonal cut on both sides of the Cattleya orchid stem so that it can be inserted into the Yexian cut. Secure it with a toothpick.
The above is the complete content of the tutorial on how to graft Cattleya orchids onto Yexian, for your comprehensive understanding and reference!