How to propagate zygocactus - choose the simplest and most effective way
Imagine: outside the window a blizzard is sweeping white snowdrifts, Epiphany frost is bursting, and zygocactus is blooming on the windowsill. It is for this that he is so loved and it is not surprising that the question of how to propagate zygocactus interests many, especially beginners, flower growers. Anyone who has ever seen its bloom can no longer stop and tries to have the Decembrist at every window. Why not, because getting new plants is very easy and quick. The main thing is to know which method is best for this culture.
How to propagate zygocactus
- Seeds. A laborious and time-consuming process, moreover, bushes grown from seeds do not retain varietal characteristics.
- Vaccination. An interesting method that allows you to give the Decembrist an original shape and turn it from a bush into a tree. Cactus is also used as a rootstock, most often - peresky.
- Sheet. This method allows you to save even a plant that is severely damaged by pests or disease. One leaf is enough, which should be rooted for the Decembrist to be reborn.
- Cuttings. Usually the tops of the shoots are used, but the Decembrist has a good rooting ability. Even segments taken from the middle of the shoot will do.
At home, zygocactus reproduces mainly by cuttings. This is the easiest way to get a young bush in a short time. The cuttings take root quickly and build up a lush cap.
Propagation of the Decembrist by cuttings
Harvesting cuttings can be combined with the formation of a bush so as not to throw away the torn off fragments. It is best to do this in the spring, when the bush fades and begins to actively build up the aerial part. The length of the cutting is determined by the number of segments (they are also segments). The most "convenient" cutting is the one with at least 2 but no more than 3 segments. Ideally, if it already has airy cuttings, which will significantly reduce the rooting time.
Cuttings must be pinched off by hand, slightly scrolling them. Then put it in a dark place for two days so that the place of the gap is covered with a film.
There are two ways to root cuttings:
- First in the water. To make the roots appear faster, you can add Kornevin to the water. Only the lower part (lower segment) should be immersed in the liquid. If the water becomes cloudy, it must be replaced. When the roots grow to 2 cm or more, you can plant the cutting in the ground. On average, this takes 1 to 2 weeks.
- Immediately in the ground. You can use small plastic cups, planting one cuttings in them, or a pot, rooting up to 4 zygocactus fragments in it. The soil should be very light and loose. It will be convenient to purchase a special substrate for cacti. Cuttings take root in the ground in about a month.
New bushes can be fed no earlier than 3 months later.