How to propagate a Decembrist at home: examples without roots and leaves
Content:
The Decembrist is a flower belonging to the Cactus family, but in its habits it is completely opposite to other representatives of this species. Schlumberger, or the so-called zygocactus, do not have thorny needles, do not tolerate direct sunlight, and are also demanding on abundant watering. They have grown fond of settling on the branches and trunks of South American trees in tropical forests, where the humidity is maximum.
How the Decembrist reproduces
High-level breeders can create almost any combination of shades of this flower, and only a few know how to propagate a Decembrist at home. The task is quite simple, if you fulfill all the requirements of the plant, the flower will successfully take root on the windowsill.
What has become the Decembrist transplanted with his own hands
In order for the Decembrist to take root after the transplant, it should be carried out according to certain rules. The right time for transplantation comes at the end of February, for cacti this period is characterized by the end of flowering and the beginning of the processes of growing leaf mass. Optimum humidity should be observed, with excessive watering, the transplanted cuttings simply rot.
To reduce the likelihood of rotting, you should unscrew the cuttings from the mother flower and dry them for several days in the newspaper. Such a simple operation will allow microcracks to heal.
It is imperative to maintain the optimum room temperature at around 17-20 ° C, the reproduction of the Decembrist in such a climate will occur without drying out and decay.
An important role is played by the choice of the method of plant propagation from the following options:
- using seeds;
- by cuttings;
- sheets;
- the method of grafting is also suitable for flowers.
Transplanting the Decembrist by cuttings
It is not difficult to grow a plant in an apartment if you choose the optimal zone for this. In the apartment, the temperature and humidity indicators practically do not change throughout the entire time, which is a favorable condition for the flower.
The most recognized and highly effective method of transplanting is considered to be the cuttings method. The taken shoots of a cactus quickly take root, are not demanding for constant care and have a low threshold for fungal diseases.
Breeding options by cuttings
Cutting is the simplest way to propagate flowering plants, which even a novice gardener can easily handle. After the end of the flowering process (February - March), it is required to prune the zygocactus. This procedure will allow to increase the density and volume on the mother plant, and is also a necessary stimulus for the formation of young branches. Mainly the tops are cut, these segments are excellent material for grafting.
The efficiency of cuttings at home is almost 100%. The shank is prepared taking into account the following rules:
- sheets should have a turgor.It is better not to choose sluggish cuttings at all, since the depleted rudiments of the future flower take root with a low probability;
- there must be no mechanical damage, integrity must be preserved;
- the ideal factor is the presence of small air roots on the cuttings. They appear in conditions of sufficient humidity.
It is better to start planting with a simple glass of water, as soon as noticeable roots appear, only then plant it in the ground. To obtain a lush bush, several cuttings of one uterine flower should be planted in one container. When the new cactus takes root, the result will be a lush bush that is the same on all sides.
Step-by-step instructions for planting cuttings:
- Several healthy cuttings are unscrewed from the mother flower.
- They are kept on newspaper or plain paper for several days to dry.
- Expanded clay is placed at the bottom of the glass.
- Pour specialized soil, make a recess the size of a cutting with your finger. Planting depth is the border of the lower segment.
How a Decembrist plants a flower in cups, propagation by cuttings
The formation of new leaves will be a signal for a successful procedure.
Seed reproduction at home
Seeds are used mainly by professional breeders, as they experiment with the development of new shades of the Decembrist. Having complete data about the Decembrist, how to propagate, what kind of care it requires, you can use this method to increase the number of your home flower garden.
Pollination of this representative of the flora occurs only by cross methods, for which it is better to acquire several uterine flowers. The ripening period of seeds after the end of flowering is six months. Visually, the fruits are similar to rose hips. When the fruit begins to acquire softness, it should be carefully removed and peeled.
Seeds prepared in this way give a small percentage of germination, since the success of the whole venture requires full pollination. This can be done using a regular soft brush. The ideal option would be to pre-purchase store-bought prepared seeds, which will significantly increase the chances of success.
Reproduction of the Decembrist independently at home requires the correct collection of seeds from ripe fruits. When the berry softens, it must be unscrewed, inside it there will be ready-made 30-50 pieces. seeds.
Reproduction of zygocactus using seeds
Seed preparation begins with soaking in a solution of peroxide or manganese, after which you need to rinse the future cacti. The best germination rates are inherent in one-year-old seeds of the Decembrist. Previously, two weeks in advance, they are laid out on the sunny side of the windowsill and warmed up. After warming up, soaking and rinsing, you can proceed to planting.
Spring is the best time to plant zygocactus seeds. The landing procedure consists of the following steps:
- The washed seeds are laid out on wet ground.
- There is no need to sprinkle them with earth, and you should also not cover the entire structure with glass or cover it with film.
- Seedlings should be expected in a week.
- The pick is carried out cyclically every three months.
Leaf propagation options
The method of flower propagation using leaves is not very common, but it also gives positive results. First, you need to prepare the flower breeding area. The level of humidity is leveled, the temperature is brought to constant values. The season is also a powerful argument for the successful germination of leaves.
Reproduction must be carried out exclusively after flowering, so as not to harm the mother plant. You should choose leaves, taking into account the following rules:
- you need to inspect for damage. Even minimal crackling, violation of the structure of the leaf, signs of lethargy should be taken into account;
- fading sheets are not suitable;
- the number of leaf segments must be at least three;
- a good factor will be the presence of airy, barely noticeable roots on the leaves.
In order to get a voluminous new flower in the future, you should select several leaves for transplanting and plant them in one pot. Knowing the features of how to independently propagate the Decembrist, you can use the leaves for this without being tied to the season.
Planting Decembrist leaves in the ground
The preparation of the selected sheets begins immediately after they are torn off. Drying is two days in the absence of moisture. After lying in the newspaper for several days, the leaves are washed with peroxide and planted in cups. They should be planted in half of the lower segment; additional storey soil should not be watered. All precautions, as in the case of cuttings, are preserved.
Further care of the Decembrist
After the end of transplanting a new plant into the ground, you should take care of the further care of the cacti. There is no particular difference between the procedure for caring for young flowers and working with adult maternal zygocactus. How to take a small shoot from a Decembrist and plant it is a simple matter, but to turn it into a lush, huge flower, you need to try.
Proper grooming can turn an ordinary flower into a natural masterpiece.
The main subtleties of caring for a new plant:
- watering is carried out after noticeable drying of the soil. Use exceptionally warm water for this;
- sometimes, in conditions of severe dry air, it is necessary to spray the cuttings with warm water. The nutrient fluid should not contain chlorine;
- until the plant has a developed root system, any buds that appear should be immediately removed. The flower will spend a lot of effort to ensure full flowering, and the root system will eventually remain at the same underdeveloped level;
- after watering, wait a few minutes and remove the remaining water from the pan. A long delay in this action contributes to the onset of decay, which can lead to complete disappearance.
Errors and shortcomings of the transplant procedure are possible
Some gardeners take proper care of their plants, but the end result is still negative - the plant dies. Decembrist is a slightly capricious flower. After breeding at home, it does not always take root successfully.
If the stalk begins to wilt, the presence of a fungal infection may be a possible cause. To eliminate the negative factor, the plant should be treated with a fungicide.
A common problem for novice gardeners is the process of decay of the Decembrist.During germination, abundant moisture is a prerequisite for this negative phenomenon. An ambulance consists in getting the cutting out of the ground, cutting off the entire rotting part, further drying it and planting it in a new prepared soil. The number of waterings in this case is reduced by 2 times.
Having information on how to plant a beloved Decembrist, you need to provide him with further favorable conditions for living at home. This representative of the cactus loves a comfortable constancy of humidity, a sufficient amount of sun and maintaining the temperature at the same level. In summer, the plant is inactive, which allows it to be placed even on northern shady windowsills. In winter, you should transfer the pot to the south side of the house, since there is an urgent need for light.
The Decembrist blossomed in the sun and pleases everyone with his attractiveness
The prospect of independent reproduction of the Decembrist repulses and scares many flower growers, but there are no certain difficulties in this. Fear appears due to insufficient awareness of all stages and periods of this process. If you set yourself a goal and familiarize yourself with all the subtleties, it will not be difficult to grow a new floral masterpiece. Each room can become the embodiment of art, if amazing flower arrangements are placed on the windowsill, visiting acquaintances will be surprised at the hidden talents of the owner of the apartment.
