Decembrist propagation by cuttings: how to root a schlumberger at home, including in water, and what is needed for a zigocactus to take root in the ground?

Schlumbergera or zygocactus is a common houseplant native to South America. In nature, it grows on tropical trees, but at home it requires loose, nutritious, well-drained soil.

Schlumbergera is popular for its abundant flowering starting in December. With the term of the appearance of the buds, the folk names of the plant are associated - Decembrist and Christmas. The main method of propagation of zygocactus is cuttings. The rooting of the cuttings is carried out by two methods: in water or soil.

Features

Reproduction of Decembrists using processes allows you to get a new plant while preserving all the species characteristics of the mother bush (color of flowers). The optimal period of cuttings is the beginning of spring. Schlumbergera by this time fades, the vegetation phase begins.

Florists note that the shoots taken in March actively root and grow. If the spring period is skipped, then you can take material for propagation in the summer, during the formation of the bush.

Information. The Decembrist has no thorns, so there is no risk of injuring his fingers while tearing the handle.

The number of segments on the appendix does not matter. Rooted cuttings from 1-2 segments and long shoots taken during molding. It is not recommended to take more than four segments, it is more difficult to work with such a process. When landing in the ground will require the installation of supports.

Zygocactus cuttings are rooted in two ways:

in the substrate (soil for forest cacti, universal soil based on peat, perlite);
in water.

Both options are used equally. The choice depends on personal preference. Subject to the rules of grafting, a positive result is guaranteed both in water and in the ground.

Instructions for cutting Schlumbergera

An indispensable condition when choosing a cuttings for propagation is a healthy mother plant. The shoot must meet several requirements:

A sheet plate without scratches, cracks and other mechanical damage.
Choose a shoot with a good turgor.
If some segments have air roots, give preference to them.

How to propagate Schlumbergera by cuttings? Algorithm for preparing the cuttings for planting:

The selected process of 2-3 segments is unscrewed from the mother bush. With one hand he turns clockwise, with the other hand he adheres to the branch.Important! Do not use scissors, a scalpel and other cutting tools.
Material for propagation must be dried within two days. The cutlery is laid on a napkin and cleaned in a dark place. A thin film forms at the separation site.

Further actions depend on the rooting method.

Read about how to plant a Decembrist by the appendage and in other ways, and from this article you will learn about whether the Schlumberger can be cut and how to do it at home.

In the ground

To root the cuttings, it is necessary to prepare:

A pot or plastic cup up to 200 ml.
Substrate is a special soil for cacti, bought in a store, perlite or a mixture made independently (about what should be in the soil for Decembrist and how to prepare it yourself, read here). The soil should be light and loose. The mixture uses sheet and turf soil, peat, sand. The inclusion of perlite and ground sphagnum helps to improve the structure of the soil.
A plastic bag or a glass jar for a greenhouse.

A drainage layer (1/3 of the volume) is poured at the bottom of the pot, and a substrate is added on top. When rooting in perlite, drainage is not required.
The soil is well moistened.
The prepared cuttings are buried by 5 mm.

2-3 shoots are planted in a volumetric pot, in glasses one at a time. To create a stable microclimate and maintain high humidity, the container with the handle is covered with a jar or bag.

The use of Kornevin, a biological stimulant for plants, will help accelerate root growth.. It is enough to dip a cut of the stem into the preparation before planting in the ground.

The process of the Decembrist is placed in a warm (18-20 °) place with diffuse lighting. Every day, the greenhouse opens for airing for 30-40 minutes.

Note! Watering only after drying of the top layer. At high humidity, the cuttings rot. It is better to spray the process with warm, standing water.

The emergence of new segments speaks of successful rooting. If growth points are found, shelter can be removed. Breeding Schlumbergera in the substrate takes about a month.

In water

Consider how to root a Schlumberger at home. As a container for rooting the Decembrist, use plastic cups (150-200 ml) or glass jars. Water must be left to stand for at least 24 hours so that chlorine impurities disappear. For rooting in water, it is convenient to use long processes of Schlumbergera. The liquid level in the glass is one segment. If necessary, add water.

In a transparent container, the appearance of roots is clearly visible. They grow back after 1-2 weeks. During this period, it is necessary to monitor the state of water. If it becomes cloudy, replace immediately. This will prevent rotting of the cuttings.

A few drops of “Kornevin” added to the water will accelerate the formation of roots on the Decembrist handle.

Having received roots longer than 2 cm, you can transplant the process into a pot. The procedure is similar to that described above.

Capacity requirements - drainage, drain holes, loose slightly acidic soil. Planted stalk watered and left away from the light. A week later, it is placed on the windowsill. Moisturize the soil as it dries. The intensity of irrigation depends on the temperature and humidity level in the room (how to properly water the Decembrist, so that it flourishes luxuriantly and is healthy, read here). The emergence of new segments means that the cactus has taken root.

Zigocactus Care

When to transplant rooted cuttings? The processes from a small glass are transplanted into the pot immediately after the appearance of new segments (how to properly transplant Decembrists at home can be found here). The procedure is performed using the transshipment method. Around the weak roots a lump of earth is left.

To transplant a young Decembrist, you will need a small, low pot. The plant has a superficial root system that does not require a deep planting. The container should have drain holes. At least a third of the volume of the pot is allocated to the drainage layer. Forest cacti are sensitive to waterlogging. Excess water should immediately drain into the drip tray.

If the Schlumbergera rooted in the pot, then the plant is not disturbed for several months until the roots appear in the drainage holes. This is a signal to fill the soil.

The new pot should be 2 cm larger in diameter than the previous one. Drainage (expanded clay or small pebbles) is placed at the bottom, half of the soil is poured. To less damage the Decembrist, the soil is moistened. The plant is taken out with a lump of earth and placed in a new pot. Around the soil is filled up, slightly crushed. After transplantation, zigocactus is put in the shade.

The plant must recover from stress. During the adaptation period, watering is replaced by spraying. After 1-2 weeks, the pot is exposed, but not under direct sunlight.

Forest cacti need fresh air, the accepted cuttings are carried out on a balcony or a veranda. Placed in partial shade.

Recommendation. Do not rush to feed the Decembrist. The first time fertilizers are applied after 2-3 months. You can use top dressing for cacti, diluting twice the recommended dose. Until the age of four, the Decembrist is transplanted every year, then every 3-5 years.

Read about how to properly grow a wonderful Decembrist at home, read here, and from this article you will learn how to properly care for a flower.

Possible problems

Reproduction of zygocactus by cuttings gives a high percentage of rooting, but problems with a young plant may occur:

Leaves segments turn yellow and fade - Perhaps the plant stands in direct sunlight.
Wilt cuttings - This is a manifestation of a fungal infection or improper care. Excessive watering and the use of cold water lead to rotting of the roots. One of the causes of the disease is an excess of fertilizers. In this case, it is necessary to replace the substrate.

The cuttings of zigocactus, which took root in March, bloom in the first year of life. In December, a flower appears on the bush. If you find small buds at the edges of the segments, stop moving the plant. Leave it alone for the entire flowering period, otherwise the Schlumberger will drop its petals. The Decembrist is a long-lived among indoor plants, an unpretentious cactus adorns the room for 15-20 years.