Many flower lovers like to grow crab claw orchid, which not only has a unique appearance, but also has bright flowers, which is very ornamental. However, for the crab claw orchid to thrive in an indoor environment, some special techniques are required. Among them, grafting is a very effective means. So, what should crab claw orchid be grafted with?This article will uncover this secret for you and help you bring the crab claw orchid to life.
First, let's learn about crab claw orchids. It is an epiphytic succulent plant whose stem nodes resemble the claws of a crab, hence the name crab claw orchid. This plant is native to Brazil and prefers warm and humid environments and is not cold tolerant. It blooms in winter and spring, bringing hope and vitality to people in early spring.
So, how to keep the beauty of crab claw orchid alive?The answer is grafting. Grafting is a very old horticultural technique that allows the advantages of two plants to complement each other by grafting one part of the plant to another, thus improving the adaptability and stress resistance of the plant.
Choosing the right rootstock is the key to grafting. Generally speaking, we choose cactus as the rootstock because the cactus has a well-developed root system that can provide sufficient nutrients to the crab claw orchid. When choosing rootstocks, we should choose healthy, pest-free plants, and the affinity between the rootstock and crab claw orchid should be strong, so as to ensure the success rate of grafting.
The time of grafting is generally chosen to be carried out in the spring. Before grafting, we need to treat the crab claw orchid. Cut the stem of the crab claw orchid to the right size, and then make a knife on the side of the stem to make the surface of the stem more flat. Next, we need to treat the rootstock. Cut off the top of the rootstock, and then make a knife on the side of the rootstock to make the surface of the rootstock more flat.
The next step is the grafting step. We insert the stem knots of the crab claw orchid into the incision of the rootstock and wrap the joints with plastic film. This step should be very careful, because if the interface is not handled well, it will affect the effect of grafting. Finally, we move the whole potted plant to a brightly lit place for maintenance.
In the days after grafting, we should pay attention to the growth of the bonsai. If you find that there is an abnormal situation in the potted plant, you should deal with it in time. In general, it takes about a week for a grafted crab claw orchid to adapt to the new environment. During this time, we need to keep the potting soil moist and away from direct sunlight.
After a week, we can see that the crab claw orchid is slowly starting to grow new leaves. This is good news for successful grafting!However, we also need to continue to pay attention to the following: first, avoid overwatering so as not to cause root rot;Secondly, it is necessary to avoid sun exposure, so as not to cause leaf wilting;Finally, it is necessary to prune and arrange the branches in time to keep the crab claw orchid in a beautiful shape.
After a period of careful maintenance, the crab claw orchid finally blooms!The delicate flowers seem to be the crab claw orchid showing us its beauty and tenacity. At this moment, we will feel a great sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. This is the result of our careful care of the crab claw orchid, and it is also the embodiment of our awe and respect for life.
Although the grafting process is somewhat complicated and cumbersome, as long as we do it with our hearts, we will be able to succeed. Let's enjoy gardening together!If you have any questions or suggestions, please leave a comment below!
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