The crab claw orchid is married to a cactus, the leaves are thick, the roots are not rotten, the leaves are not yellow, and the flowers are countless every year.
In the world of horticulture, there is a miraculous procedure called grafting, which allows two very different plants to combine and grow together. Today, let's talk about an unusual grafting story - crab claw orchid marries cactus.
Crab claw orchid, known for its unique flower shape and bright color, is a light-loving and heat-loving succulent. The shape of the cactus is even more peculiar, surrounded by many hard thorns, with the appearance of a tough guy, and it is also a kind of succulent. Both are succulent plants and are extremely adaptable to the environment, and this kinship makes it easier for them to survive when grafted.
When the beauty of the crab claw orchid meets the fortitude of the cactus, it is not only complementary in appearance, but also has a wonderful chemical reaction in growth habits. After grafting, the leaves of the crab claw orchid become thicker because of the cactus's strong water reserve ability, and it is not easy to rot roots or yellow leaves even in arid environments. What's even more surprising is that this combination also promotes the flowering of the crab claw orchid, which is too numerous to count, and can bring a visual feast every year.
So, how can such a successful graft be accomplished?
First, a healthy cactus is selected as a rootstock, the top of it is cut flat, and then the healthy shoots of the crab claw orchid are taken and cut into bevels and attached to the cut surface of the cactus. Tie the two tightly with a special tape or string for grafting to keep the contact surface tight. During the grafting process, keeping the cutter clean and the incision neat is the key to improving the survival rate.
After successful grafting, nursing work is equally important.
Illumination. Grafted plants need plenty of light, but should also be protected from strong direct sunlight to avoid burns. Except in the summer, it is enough to put it on the south windowsill or balcony in other seasons.
Watering. It should be decided according to the dryness and wetness of the soil, and the soil can be kept slightly moist to avoid root rot caused by excessive watering. If the temperature is low and the water evaporates slowly, it is necessary to extend the watering time and reduce the amount of watering.
Fertilize. You can choose fertilizers that are specially formulated for succulents to promote healthy plant growth. Of course, you can also make your own flower fertilizer, such as some fertilizer water fermented by yourself, rice water, soybean water, etc., which are their favorite nutrients.
Soil. Choose sandy soils with good drainage, which can effectively prevent excessive water accumulation. Both of these are drought-tolerant plants that are very good at storing water, so a good sandy soil is also very beneficial for root development.
In short, the grafting of crab claw orchid to cactus not only makes the growth of crab claw orchid more vigorous, but also brings richer ornamental value. With careful care and management, you can bloom as scheduled!
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