Christmas cactus: how to propagate this plant from cuttings
The Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) is a wonderful succulent of Brazilian origin with a very colorful winter bloom which, due to its beauty and ease of cultivation, is amongst the most common plants found in our homes. Its name derives from the time of its flowering, which generally takes place around the Christmas holidays, helping to cheer up the environment during the holidays. It's a plant that needs a lot of indirect sunlight and little soil, it doesn't like too much water and it won't survive in temperatures below 10 degrees.
What if we want more specimens of this plant in the other rooms of our house? Nothing could be easier: just propagate new plants from cuttings! This operation should be carried out in spring or 1-2 months after the end of its flowering. Let's find out how to do this:
1. Cuttings in water
To propogate cuttings in water, put 2-3 cuttings in a glass jar and tissue paper (or two strips of adhesive tape). Fill the jar with water and immerse the first cutting into it, fixing it in place with tissue paper or adhesive tape so that it remains suspended in the water and does not touch the bottom of the jar. Leave the container in a brightly lit area with indirect sunlight and wait for roots to grow (until they are equal in length to the cutting); you will start to see the first roots after about 2 weeks and they should be ready in 6/8 weeks.
Only when the roots are long enough can you proceed with potting the cutting in well-draining soil. Place the cutting in a well-lit and warm area, watering only when the soil is dry.
2. Cuttings in potting soil
Propagation of cuttings can also be done directly in potting soil. In this case, you will need a cutting of at least 2-3 segments which you need to let the soil dry out well. Then, plant the cuttings 1.5cm deep in light and well-draining soil, watering them little and leaving them in a very bright place. In this case, you will see the first shoots in about 3 weeks. In the event that the cutting is only one segment, you can proceed with horizontal propagation, placing the cutting on the soil. In this case, close the attention must be paid to watering to avoid rot.
3. Other methods
Empereur Day/Wikimedia Commons
Christmas cactus propagation can also be done by seed and by grafting. The former can be done by buying the seeds at a nursery or by taking them from a plant at home - but this is very difficult and time-consuming to do; the latter method can be done by grafting a portion of a Christmas cactus onto a prickly cactus stem.
Are you ready to give this a try?
