One of the best ways to add a splash of color to your Thanksgiving table is by propagating Thanksgiving cactus. This easy-to-grow plant can be propagated in just a few simple steps. First, choose a healthy stem from your Thanksgiving cactus plant.
Cut the stem at an angle, about 2 inches below a leaf node. Next, dip the cut end of the stem into rooting hormone powder or gel. Then, insert the stem into moistened potting mix.
Be sure to keep the cutting moist and warm, around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. In about 6-8 weeks, you should see new growth appearing on your Thanksgiving cactus cutting!
- Thanksgiving cactus can be propagated by taking stem cuttings
- The following steps should be followed: 1
- Cut a 4-6 inch piece from the end of a healthy Thanksgiving cactus stem with a sharp knife or gardening shears
- Make sure to make the cut at an angle so that more surface area is exposed for rooting
- Remove any leaves from the bottom 2 inches of the cutting
- Place the cutting in a jar or glass of water and set it in a bright, indirect sunlight location
- Wait for roots to form, which usually takes 1-2 weeks
- Once roots have formed, you can transplant the cutting into potting soil
- Water the Thanksgiving cactus regularly, making sure to allow the soil to dry out between watering sessions
Contents
Quick and Easy Way to Propagate Christmas or Thanksgiving Cactus (Zygocactus) Cuttings
Can You Root a Thanksgiving Cactus in Water?
Yes, you can root a Thanksgiving cactus in water. The best time to do this is in the spring, when the plant is actively growing. Cut a 2-3 inch piece from the end of a healthy stem, and remove any leaves.
Place the cutting in a glass of water, and set it in a sunny spot. Change the water every few days to keep it fresh. Within 4-6 weeks, you should see new growth emerging from the cutting.
When roots are 1-2 inches long, pot up the cutting in moist potting mix. Give it time to adjust to its new home before fertilizing or transplanting it into the garden.
Can You Put Cactus Cuttings Straight into Soil?
Yes, you can put cactus cuttings straight into soil, but there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure that the soil is well-draining. Cacti don’t like to sit in wet soil, so if your soil is heavy or clay-like, it’s best to mix in some perlite or sand to help with drainage.
Second, be careful not to overwater your cactus cutting. Allow the cutting to callous over (this usually takes a few days to a week) before watering it deeply. And finally, give your cactus cutting plenty of light – but not direct sunlight – until it has rooted and is growing on its own.
Is It Better to Propagate Christmas Cactus in Soil Or Water?
When it comes to propagating Christmas cactus, you can do so in either soil or water. Both methods have their own set of benefits and drawbacks that you should take into consideration before deciding which is best for you.
Soil propagation will give your Christmas cactus a head start on growing roots, since they will already be surrounded by nutrients.
However, this method can be tricky since the soil needs to be kept moist but not too wet – if it dries out, your cutting may die. Water propagation is a bit easier in this regard, as you can simply make sure the water level stays consistent. However, it can take longer for cuttings to develop roots when propagated in water as opposed to soil.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to propagate in soil or water comes down to personal preference. If you’re patient and don’t mind waiting a bit longer for results, water propagation may be right for you. But if you want to see faster results or are worried about keeping the soil moist enough, then soil propagation is probably the better option.
What to Do With Thanksgiving Cactus After It Blooms?
One of the best things about Thanksgiving cactus is that, unlike many other houseplants, it doesn’t need much care to thrive. In fact, once it blooms, you can pretty much forget about it until next year. Here’s what to do with your Thanksgiving cactus after it blooms:
1. Cut back on watering. After blooming, your Thanksgiving cactus will enter a period of dormancy. During this time, it won’t need as much water as it does when actively growing.
Water your plant only when the soil feels dry to the touch.
2. Move it to a cooler spot. Once your plant has finished blooming, you can move it to a cooler location if desired.
A basement or garage is a good option; just make sure the temperature stays above freezing.
3. Don’t fertilize. Unlike most other houseplants, Thanksgiving cacti don’t need fertilizer during their dormant period.
In fact, too much fertilizer can actually damage the plant. If you must fertilize, use a very diluted solution and apply it sparingly (no more than once per month).
4. Give it some light…but not too much!
During its dormant period, your Thanksgiving cactus will still need some sunlight to stay healthy – but not as much as when actively growing and blooming.
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Propagate Thanksgiving Cactus in Water
If you want to propagate your Thanksgiving cactus, also known as Schlumbergera truncata, in water, it’s actually quite easy to do. All you need is a sharp knife or pair of scissors and a container filled with water. Choose a stem that has at least two nodes, which are the small bumps on the stem where leaves emerge.
Cut the stem at a 45-degree angle just below a node and remove any leaves that will be submerged in water. Place the cutting in the container and put it in a location out of direct sunlight but where it will receive bright indirect light. Change the water every few days and within about six weeks, you should see new roots forming.
Once the roots are an inch or so long, you can pot up your Thanksgiving cactus in moistened potting mix. Just make sure not to plant it too deeply – only bury the roots and lower part of the stem. Keep the soil moist but not soggy and provide bright indirect light until new growth begins to appear.
Do Thanksgiving Cactus Like to Be Root Bound
Thanksgiving cactus are a type of succulent that originates from Brazil. They are part of the family Cactaceae and are closely related to Christmas cactus. As their name suggests, they bloom around Thanksgiving time in the Northern Hemisphere.
These plants like to be root bound, meaning that they do not need a lot of space to grow. In fact, they will often bloom more if they are slightly cramped in their pot. When repotting, only move them up one size so that their roots have something to grip onto.
Over-watering is the main killer of Thanksgiving cactus so make sure you let the soil dry out completely between watering. They also like bright light but can tolerate some direct sun if necessary.
If you follow these simple care instructions, your Thanksgiving cactus should thrive and provide you with beautiful blooms each year!
What is a Thanksgiving Cactus
A Thanksgiving cactus is a popular houseplant that is known for its unique blooming pattern. The plant gets its name from the fact that it typically blooms around the time of Thanksgiving in the United States. The plant is native to Brazil and belongs to the cactus family.
Conclusion
Thanksgiving cactus is a type of plant that can be propagated, or grown, from a cutting. To do this, you will need to take a cutting from an existing Thanksgiving cactus plant and then pot it in soil. The cutting should be about four inches long and you will want to make sure that there are at least two leaves on the cutting.
Once you have potted the cutting, water it well and then place it in a warm, sunny location. In about six to eight weeks, your Thanksgiving cactus should start to grow roots and new growth.