Tutorial on grafting cactus onto Christmas cactus

1. Grafting time

Grafting is usually done in spring or autumn. Spring starts in late March and lasts until mid-June. The only suitable time in autumn is from mid-September to mid-October. And it is more suitable to graft in the morning on a sunny day.

2. Choose branches and stems

Choose two or three not-too-old branches from the lower section of the Christmas cactus, and use a sterilized knife to cut the bottom of the base leaves into a wedge shape. This will make it easier to insert into the rootstock, and the cut area will also be easier to absorb nutrients.

3. Processing of cactus

The cactus should be of moderate size, with a diameter of no less than 5 cm, otherwise it will be difficult to support the Christmas cactus. Use scissors to cut off the thorns to avoid injuring the stem of the Christmas cactus. Then use a sterilized knife to cut a slit at the top. It should not be too wide or too deep, and do not cut on the edge to avoid deformation of the plant. The knife should remain on the incision and cannot be pulled out immediately.

4. Grafting

After preparing the stem, pull out the knife and quickly insert the stem into the cut of the cactus. The base section of the stem should be fully inserted into the incision so that it can fit better and avoid detachment.

5. Subsequent maintenance

After grafting, place the potted plant in a cool place. When watering, be careful not to spray on the grafted wound. Generally, after about 15 days, the two will grow together, and then you can move them to a sunny place. Wait until it sprouts and then you can maintain it normally.