Species suitable for grafting
Cacti and milkweed plants that belong to a family are refined using the grafting technique. Choose a fast-growing species as a base that is robust and insensitive. For plants that do not develop chlorophyll, Hylocereus undatus has proven itself. Cereus peruvianus is characterized by the rapid growth of the graft. Cuttings on Eriocereus jusbertii are willing to flower. Species of the genera Wilcoxia, Opuntia, Echinocereus or Echinopsis also offer good starting material.
also read
- What light do cacti want? - Tips on the location
- How to get cacti to bloom - tips for the right strategy
- This is how cacti thrive in the glass - tips for the self-planted terrarium
Preparations for flat grafting
When the rootstocks are juicy and in the middle of the growth phase, grafting shows the best possible success. The time frame extends from the beginning of May to the end of August. You should water the plants thoroughly a few days beforehand so that they do not have to consume their last energy reserves. On a warm day, you can start work:
- place a sharp knife just below the new shoot
- Cut off the head of the pad horizontally
- Remove about five millimeters from the outer edge at an angle
- Remove the lower part of the plug and bend the ribs
method
Slide the prepared Cactus offshoots sideways on the mat. The interfaces must be free of particles and deposits. Slight turning and pushing pushes trapped air bubbles outwards. Try to stack the plants so that the large vascular bundles partially coincide.
Tips
Slot grafting is suitable for flat cacti such as Schlumbergera. Here, cut cuttings are inserted into a slot-shaped incision in the base.
Fix
So that the two plants grow together at their interfaces, they must be stabilized. Use two rubbers that you pull crosswise under the pot and over the grafted cactus. At a suitable location, the plants should have grown together after one to two weeks. Then remove the rubber rings.
Notes on care
Put the pot in a bright and warm place out of direct sunlight. High humidity favors growth. During the growth phase, no water should get to the grafting point.
