If you’re someone who loves plants and is constantly overwhelmed by how many you want to buy, you may want to look into propagation.
Propagation is an easy, cost-efficient method that you can use to get many plants from one. People who propagate plants tend to gift them to their friends.
The lockdown in 2020 grew this sense of self-reliance in people, and now, many people are starting to do things on their own.
Learning how to propagate a Christmas cactus is one way to improve yourself further.
Read on as we discuss methods you can use to propagate your succulents and a Christmas cactus.
Table of Contents
What Is a Christmas Cactus?
The Christmas cactus is a very popular houseplant. They’re popular for a substantial reason. When they bloom, they produce gorgeous flowers in different colors like pink and lilac.
These vibrant, warm colors make people want and take care of them in their homes.
Additionally, the flowers tend to bloom for a very long time, and these Christmas cactus plants are also relatively easy to take care of.
Like other cactus plants, the Christmas cactus thrives in hot and arid climates such as deserts and plains.
Furthermore, you can also gift cactus plants to someone who doesn’t know how to take care of them, too as their first plant.
It’s a hardy plant which means they won’t even need to take much care of them. People also prefer Christmas cactus plants as they make for excellent gifts.
How Can You Propagate a Christmas Cactus?
When it comes to Christmas cacti, many are better than one. Learning propagation will help you take one Christmas cactus and grow many from it.
Christmas cactus propagation is simpler than you may think. All you have to do is take a small V-shaped cutting from the stem.
The cutting should be two or three segments long so you can plant it firmly into the soil.
Propagating Christmas cactus is easy. However, for the best result, you will have to follow some steps:
1. Choose the Correct Season
You want to ensure that your Christmas cactus grows into the rightful plants. Hence, you will have to give your plants the best shot to grow.
For this, you want to sow them into the soil at the beginning of the growing season. When the time arrives, you have Christmas cactus plants to show for it.
You should begin the process in late spring as the winter frost will have finally settled at this point, and the plant will be ready for growth.
2. Make Your Stem Cuttings
You can’t grow your plants without stem cuttings. To receive the stem cuttings, you’ll have to make a small incision in a V-shape in the stems.
Then, have to ensure that the segments are two-five segments long and filled with foliage. You can either remove the segment by cutting or twisting/pulling off the shoots.
You want to collect as many stem cuttings as you possibly can.
3. Let Some Time Pass Before Rooting
You must let your cutting heal before you root them. Place your stem cutting into a cool, dry place for a couple of days so that the ends can heal completely and close up.
During this time, you want to keep the stems away from sunlight. The time which passes prevents rotting in the root, so it’s more healthy when you finally root it.
4. Root the Cuttings
Once the stem cuttings are prepared, you want to take out your time and root the cuttings so they may grow.
You may do this in two distinct ways. You can either root the plant in water or root in potting mix. The potting mix is very coarse and has sand, perlite, and peat.
Regardless of the method, you use to root your plants, ensure there isn’t a chance of rot with the stem cuttings.
When rooting in water, have very little water, so only a quarter of an inch of the stem is submerged. This practice ensures growth without the possibility of rot.
When rooting in potting mix, you should also ensure that the pot you choose has ample drainage so that the cuttings can grow.
To root, place some rooting powder on the end of the shoot and then place the stalk into the water or pot until it’s firmly in place.
5. Take Care of Your Cuttings
For the next two months, you need to take care of your plants in the best way possible.
Keep the pots in a place where they may receive indirect sunlight since direct sunlight may be too harsh for your plants.
If you have rooted your stem cuttings in water, you’ll have to observe the water level for the plants. Once it falls below a certain range, you have to top it up.
Too much water will lead to rot and too little with lead to a lack of growth.
It’s a fine balance, but you’ll have to maintain it for at least two months so that your plants have a chance to grow.
6. Transplant the Cuttings
Once two months have elapsed, you may want to move the cuttings into their pots.
The potting mixture should be coarse enough to hold the cutting but thin enough to let the water drain. You’ll then place the cutting an inch deep into all the containers you want it to grow.
After this, you will water as often as required, making sure that you don’t water the plant too often.
7. Provide Further Care
You don’t just want any Christmas cactus. Rather you want one which is in full bloom and has vibrant-colored flowers which characterize its presence.
Like any other plant, the Christmas cactus needs bright, indirect sunlight and a certain degree of humidity so it can thrive.
It also needs fertilizer and aerated soil so it can drain properly.
Final Thoughts
Propagating a Christmas Cactus doesn’t take much effort.
However, you must know how you’re going to do it so that the process is linear and efficient for you. It will take a degree of your time and effort.
However, we can assure you that the tips we’ve provided in this article will help you achieve better results.
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