Echinopsis Variegata Graft Updates
&
Why Cactus Grafts Are Performed
Before we go with the 'Why', lets get into the 'What' and 'How' first.
What is cactus grafting?
Cactus grafting is defines as cactus propagation done by grafting, a process where a cut piece of one species is grown onto a wounded piece of another. The grafted part is called a scion and the base or rooted part is called rootstock.
How cactus grafting is performed?
Basically, it involves the preparation of scion and root stock. Use very clean, sterile instruments when making cuts.
Choose healthy plants and prepare a scion. Cut off the top or at least first inch or more of the stem. Make sure the middle ring or vascular tissue is soft and not woody.
Then prepare the rootstock by beheading a cactus to within a few inches if the soil. Preferably the rootstock is also cut where the middle ring is still soft and not woody too.
Set the scion on top of the cut portion of the still rooted rootstock so both vascular cambium or middle ring are situated together.
Use rubber band or plastic wrap to hold the piece jointed as one. In about 2 weeks to a month, you can remove the rubber band or wrap off and the union should be sealed.
Grafted cactus care is similar to nor grafted one, but you need to put more concern on rootstock specification and needs more.
Here are some pictures to ease things up.
Graft #1
Step 1 Cut the rootstock
Step 2 Bevel the ribs
Step 2.1 Bevel all cut edges (optional)
Step 3 Cut the scion
Step 4 Match the scion x rootstock vascular tissue (middle ring)
Step 1.1 Adjust the cut height to get suitable vascular ring size (large root stock options)
Step 2 Bevel the ribs
Step 2.2 Moisten the cut using leftovers or other cactus (optional)
Step 3 Match the vascular tissue
Why people graft their cactus?
Generally, cactus graft is performed on various reasons such as to fasten the growth, growing rare and sensitive cactus on unsuitable environment, saving graft, cloning propagation and aesthetic value.
1. Growth booster
You can graft a month old seedling to a fast growing rootstock and get growth advantages over other seedlings. For example, Ariocarpus took 8 to 10 years to mature but seedling graft on Hylocereus or Pereskiopsis could make them reach maturity faster.
2. Flower early
Back to point number 1, faster growth means earlier maturity. My experience shows that Ariocarpus can flower as early as 8 to 12 months old on Hylocereus although they are smaller compared to what they should be to start flowering naturally.
3. Disease and rot resistance
Obviously, with suitable rootstock a cactus could grow better in wetter condition compared to own root. Thus, you have better option to water or fertilize more and make better growth result.
4. Solving disability to photosynthesize
Common 'Moon Cactus' are products of extensive breeding to produce pure red or yellow cactus that can't live on their own due to insufficient chlorophyll. Grafting allows fully or partially variwgated cactus grow healthy and bigger.
5. Creating or maintaining unique formes.
Crested and monstrose are rare formes seek after by collectors. Grafting may induce these formes especially on extra fast rootstock. But cactus with this forme are preferably grown on a slower rootstock to prevent reversion.
6. Aesthetical value
Cactus grafted on rarer rootstock hold additional value. Some grower grafted on rare Myrtillocactus forme while others grafted on variegated rootstocks.
7. Cloning and replicating
Just what I have shared above, you can replicate scion into more clones by grafting. Top, middle, butt and slab part of cactus scion are usable to be grafted. I even graft other rootstocks to fasten their growth and numbers before using them as rootstock later on.
Last 2 weeks graft update
Let the pictures speak
Thanks for reading
Happy growing
Adieu
Choose healthy plants and prepare a scion. Cut off the top or at least first inch or more of the stem. Make sure the middle ring or vascular tissue is soft and not woody.
Then prepare the rootstock by beheading a cactus to within a few inches if the soil. Preferably the rootstock is also cut where the middle ring is still soft and not woody too.
Set the scion on top of the cut portion of the still rooted rootstock so both vascular cambium or middle ring are situated together.
Use rubber band or plastic wrap to hold the piece jointed as one. In about 2 weeks to a month, you can remove the rubber band or wrap off and the union should be sealed.
Grafted cactus care is similar to nor grafted one, but you need to put more concern on rootstock specification and needs more.
Here are some pictures to ease things up.
Graft #1
Step 1 Cut the rootstock
Step 2 Bevel the ribs
Step 2.1 Bevel all cut edges (optional)
Step 3 Cut the scion
Step 4 Match the scion x rootstock vascular tissue (middle ring)
Step 5 Hold the union with plastic wrap or rubber band
Graft #2
Step 1 Cut the rootstock
Step 1.1 Adjust the cut height to get suitable vascular ring size (large root stock options)
Step 2 Bevel the ribs
Step 2.2 Moisten the cut using leftovers or other cactus (optional)
Step 3 Match the vascular tissue
Step 4 Hold the union using plastic wrap
Step 4.1 Put extra pressure by applying rubber band
Now those are 2 of 10 grafts recorded yesterday. All grafts are done using Echinopsis variegata and Cereus rootstock.
Generally, cactus graft is performed on various reasons such as to fasten the growth, growing rare and sensitive cactus on unsuitable environment, saving graft, cloning propagation and aesthetic value.
1. Growth booster
You can graft a month old seedling to a fast growing rootstock and get growth advantages over other seedlings. For example, Ariocarpus took 8 to 10 years to mature but seedling graft on Hylocereus or Pereskiopsis could make them reach maturity faster.
2. Flower early
Back to point number 1, faster growth means earlier maturity. My experience shows that Ariocarpus can flower as early as 8 to 12 months old on Hylocereus although they are smaller compared to what they should be to start flowering naturally.
3. Disease and rot resistance
Obviously, with suitable rootstock a cactus could grow better in wetter condition compared to own root. Thus, you have better option to water or fertilize more and make better growth result.
4. Solving disability to photosynthesize
Common 'Moon Cactus' are products of extensive breeding to produce pure red or yellow cactus that can't live on their own due to insufficient chlorophyll. Grafting allows fully or partially variwgated cactus grow healthy and bigger.
5. Creating or maintaining unique formes.
Crested and monstrose are rare formes seek after by collectors. Grafting may induce these formes especially on extra fast rootstock. But cactus with this forme are preferably grown on a slower rootstock to prevent reversion.
6. Aesthetical value
Cactus grafted on rarer rootstock hold additional value. Some grower grafted on rare Myrtillocactus forme while others grafted on variegated rootstocks.
7. Cloning and replicating
Just what I have shared above, you can replicate scion into more clones by grafting. Top, middle, butt and slab part of cactus scion are usable to be grafted. I even graft other rootstocks to fasten their growth and numbers before using them as rootstock later on.
Last 2 weeks graft update
Let the pictures speak
Thanks for reading
Happy growing
Adieu
No comments:
Post a Comment