How to grow and propagate Christmas cactus

1. How to raise

1. Soil: When growing Christmas cactus, you must use breathable, water-permeable, loose sandy soil. It is recommended to mix half leaf mold and half coarse river sand. After preparation, disinfect it before use to avoid the presence of bacteria.

2. Watering: Watering should be done reasonably during management, and the specific number of times depends on the growth stage. Keep the soil moist during the growing season, water it every two or three days, and sprinkle water frequently. During the dormant stage, you need to control watering and keep the soil slightly dry. Be careful not to allow water to accumulate at any time, otherwise the roots will easily rot.

3. Light: It likes light, so it should be placed in a well-lit place to bask in the sun, just avoid strong light. It will bloom normally only if there is enough light. If there is a lack of light, the stems and leaves will easily grow too long, which will also affect flowering.

4. Fertilization: This is a fertilizer-loving flower, so fertilize it regularly to promote its growth. During the growth period, a thin layer of fertilizer should be applied once every half a month. You can choose well-rotted manure or compound fertilizer. Before flowering, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be added to promote flowering. Stop applying fertilizer after winter to avoid fertilizer damage.

2. How to reproduce

There are three ways of reproduction. One is the sowing method. Generally, the seeds will mature in July and August, and can be directly sown after harvesting. However, this method has a slow growth rate and is difficult to manage, so it is rarely used. The second is the cutting method, which involves selecting strong stems and leaves as cuttings, inserting them directly into the substrate, and they will soon take root. The third is the grafting method, in which cactus is often chosen as the rootstock and its stem nodes are used as scion. After grafting, place it in a semi-shaded and ventilated place and the wound will heal in a week.