The latest breeding methods of cactus

Cactus plants originated in tropical North and South America, tropical Asia and some nearby islands, some grow in the forest, propagation methods commonly used are cutting propagation methods, sub-plant propagation, seeding propagation and grafting propagation of these four species, below we will take a look at it!

cactus grafting propagation

Grafting is a horticultural technique commonly used in cacti. Some cacti have very fragile roots. After long-term cultivation, the roots will gradually lose their original functions and disappear, and the plants will lose their vitality. Grafting is the panacea for these cacti. In addition, grafting can be used to speed up the growth of cacti, or to make root rot plants continue to grow after the affected parts have been removed.

Grafting, the selected rootstock-triangular column is a kind of this kind of cactus. The method is to cut off the growth point of the triangular column, and bevel it on the corners, then put the cactus with root system removed in the center of the rootstock, and then fix the position with rope or heavy object. After 1-2 weeks, the rope and heavy object can be removed.

cactus ramet propagation

Many cacti can grow daughter plants, such as spherical cacti will grow small balls on the stem, and fan cacti or segment cacti will grow long plants, for these varieties need to cut off the growth point of cacti with a knife, so after a period of cultivation, many small balls will grow near the growth point. When the seed balls grow to an appropriate size, they can be cut off for cuttage propagation.

Cactus seed propagation

1. Artificial pollination: There are few kinds of self-fertilization in palm plants. Most species are cross-pollinated and require artificial pollination to produce seeds, with more species requiring cross-pollination of the same species. Therefore, at least two plants of the same species should be prepared. Pollination must occur when stamens and anthers dehisce, pollen matures, and pistil and stigma fully secrete mucus. However, the maturity time of pistil and pistil of different species is not necessarily the same. If the female parent blooms later than the male parent, the male parent can be placed in a cool place to make it bloom later, or the pollen of the male parent can be collected and placed in a cool and dry place. When the female pistil matures, pollinate it. Most species pollinate most successfully 1-2 hours after flowering. Use a clean brush to dip pollen and lightly smear it on female stigma or use fine tweezers to pick pollen and put it on stigma. If the weather is too hot, humidity is too large, there is water on the flower, the fertilization rate is not high.

2, cut off petals: after pollination, if the ovary gradually expanded, it indicates successful pollination, at this time can be cut off the dried petals to mildew rot. Plants should avoid rain and water, and strengthen fertilizer and water management.

3, timely seed collection: cactus fruit generally mature in 50-60 days, some species are berries, mature easily by birds and other small animals peck, the application of net cover to protect the fruit. Some fruits are easy to crack, so pay attention to timely harvest. Harvested berries should be stripped of flesh, the seeds washed and drained. The seeds should be packed into paper bags, placed in a dry and cool place, and marked with the name of the seed and the date of harvest.

4, disinfection seed soaking: sowing soil should be disinfected river sand or mixed sand rotting soil, must be fried or steamed disinfection, can not be disinfected with chemicals. Before sowing, the pot soil is moistened by dipping pot method, and then soaked in 1% formalin or 2.5% copper sulfate solution for 15 minutes. After taking out and cleaning, sowing can be carried out. Small seeds can be mixed with sand and spread evenly on the soil surface without covering soil. Large seeds can be sown at 5 mm ×5 mm plant spacing.

5, suitable sowing: the best time for seed reproduction cactus is spring and autumn with large temperature difference between day and night. Large temperature difference can not only improve the emergence rate, but also accelerate the growth of seedlings. Should avoid rainy days sowing, should choose sunny weather. If in the greenhouse, seed reproduction can be carried out in all seasons.

6. Seminal tube after sowing: After sowing, cover the flowerpot with glass plate, and expose a seam regularly every day to ventilate. Most cactus species germinate within 15 days. After germination, should carefully observe the pot dry and wet conditions, keep the pot soil surface has a certain moisture. The seedlings must be light controlled and can be covered with perforated white paper on glass. As the seedlings grow up, replace the white paper, so that the holes are correspondingly enlarged and increased, so as to facilitate illumination. The management of cactus seedling stage should be strictly controlled in temperature, humidity, moisture, light and ventilation. Spring and autumn growth season, to maintain a large temperature difference between day and night, and timely and appropriate to the seedlings to light. In summer, ventilation should be strengthened and the temperature should be lowered. Winter should be placed in a warm indoor place, and appropriate increase in light, but not excessive. Watering should be based on dipping pot method, pot surface can be wet.

Cuttage propagation of Opuntia

1. Cutting time: Under normal conditions, cutting is most suitable from May to June. Where there is a greenhouse, it can be carried out all year round.

2, the preparation of matrix: cactus drought resistance, barren, avoid water. Therefore, the matrix must have good air permeability, good drainage performance, and the ability to maintain moisture characteristics, such as vermiculite and perlite. It can also be prepared from 4 parts of coarse river sand, 3 parts of loam, 2 parts of rotten leaves and 1 part of chaff ash.

3. Cutting cuttings: selecting robust and mature stem nodes from mother plants with strong growth potential and no diseases and insect pests as cuttings. Cut the cuttings from the mother plant with a rust-free scraper. Wipe and disinfect the cutter with alcohol before and after each cut.

4, dry cuttings: cut cuttings should not immediately cuttage, should be placed in the air is relatively dry indoor air for 5 to 7 days, until the cut dried, stem meat began to shrink before cuttage.

5. Hormone soaking: For varieties with difficult rooting, soaking the base of cuttings with plant growth hormone can greatly improve the survival rate. The method is to soak the base of the cutting with 50 to 100 ppm GGR (plant growth regulator) solution for half to one hour, or with 200 ml/L NAA solution for 4 hours. Most of the other easy to root varieties for cuttage, can not be hormone treatment.

6, cuttage: the cutting base shallow buried in the matrix, avoid too deep, causing decay. At this time, it is difficult for the cuttings to stand upright (because they have become soft after drying), so they can be placed flat on the substrate; they can also be supported by small wooden sticks, and then gently press the soil on both sides of the cuttings with both hands to make them closely connected with the soil.

7. Post-insertion management

① water management: cutting matrix to wet as well, too dry is not easy to root, can be less irrigation from the pot side of some water. However, the substrate should not be too wet, otherwise it will easily lead to cuttings rot. Before rooting, keep the pot soil in a moist state. To reduce evaporation, plastic bags can be used to cover the pots. A month or so cuttings will take root, then immediately remove the plastic bag.

(2) Light management: Before rooting, prevent sun exposure and place it in semi-shade for maintenance. After rooting, water and light can be routinely managed.