After entering April, except for a few provinces, the temperature in most parts of the country is above 15℃. This climate is very suitable for grafting cactus rootstocks with scions. But it is not enough to have good external conditions. Necessary grafting skills must also be paid attention to. Let the grafted crab claw scion heal quickly to ensure survival. In order to ensure the survival of grafting, it is necessary to complete the preparation work before grafting, the key points that should be mastered during grafting, and the maintenance and management after grafting. These three issues are briefly described below.

1. Preparation work before grafting

Before grafting, the cactus as rootstock must be cut from the previous year to survive. There is something special about choosing a cactus, and you should choose a cold-resistant cactus. The triangular arrow (also known as the sky ruler) should not be selected because it is not cold-resistant. Different varieties of the same cactus exhibit different cold-resistant traits. Choose varieties whose outer skin does not shrink during the winter. This shows that it has good cold resistance and strong resistance. In addition, you should also choose thick, flat stems that were drawn during the current year. Those that are too old or too tender are not suitable. If there are no surviving cactus stems from cuttings the year before, you can graft them while cutting them. However, the survival time after grafting is longer.

In order to improve the survival rate, it is better to choose a single section of the scion at this time. Because at this time, the cactus stem must first solve its own rooting problem before it can provide nutrients for the scion. At this time, the nutrient supply of the scion can only be completed by the juice reserves inside the stem. Therefore, compared with a rooted cactus that is grafted while cutting, the survival time of grafting is longer and the success coefficient of grafting is lower. It makes sense that the scion can only use a single segment. The scion of a rooted cactus can have many nodes, and each node can have multiple pieces. The number of scions depends on the size of the rootstock. Multi-section and multi-piece grafting is beneficial to rapid prototyping. Generally speaking, it is better to use rooted cactus as rootstock for grafting.

2. Points to pay attention to when grafting

There are three points to pay attention to when grafting.

(a) Find the cambium of the stock. The basic principle of grafting is to combine the cambium of the stock and make the two heal into one. Cactus is a succulent plant with an inconspicuous cambium layer present in vascular bundles. Therefore, only by determining the arrangement position of the vascular bundles can the cambium be found. Use a knife to cut the cactus crosswise. The outermost dark green layer of the cross section is the cortex, the inner light green layer arranged in a circle is the vascular bundle, and the light green part in the middle is the pith. During grafting, most of the vascular bundles between the stock and the stock must be closely connected, which is the key to the survival of the graft.

(b) Select scions: Choose branches that are neither old nor tender. If the stem is large and thick, it means it has strong vitality. You can choose more sections for the scion, and each section can have more pieces. This will ensure the growth of the scion. Rapid prototyping is beneficial. After the scion is selected, use a sterilized blade to bevel it into a duckbill shape from both sides of the lower end. The length of the shaved surface is about 3 cm. The outer skin of the main vein that is raised in the middle must also be shaved off. In addition, what is easily overlooked is that the top section of the main vein is uneven. It is also necessary to cut off a little parallel and trim it straight. This will facilitate firm contact when cutting in, accelerate healing, and make the grafting successful. (c) Grafting: Cut the rootstock stem into a V-shaped crack. The principle is that the cut surface should utilize the main vascular bundle as much as possible and not allow it to dry. The requirement for cutting cracks in the stock is to make a longitudinal cut on the top of the stock. The width and depth of the cut should be based on the shaved surface of the scion, which should be slightly larger and deeper. Then cut in the scion. Since both the rootstock and the scion have sticky liquid, the scion can easily swim during grafting. A more effective way is to use two cactus thorns to fix it. For the sake of greater reliability, after the thorn is fixed, use candle oil drops to completely seal around the interface. The benefits of this approach are obvious. On the one hand, it prevents the interface from drying out, and on the other hand, it prevents bacterial infection. It doesn't matter if water accidentally falls on the interface.

3. Maintenance and management after grafting

After grafting, the grafted seedlings should first be placed in a cool and ventilated place. After watering a few days before grafting, watering should not be done for at least half a month. If the pot is of good texture but has poor ventilation, the watering time can be extended. The general principle is to wait until the grafting is successful before you can consider pouring a little water. Sprinkling water can sometimes be used instead. Cacti will never die from drought, they will only die from root rot due to overwatering. This is very important because frequent watering after grafting will reduce the concentration of mucus inside the cactus. That is to say, the proportion of internal moisture will increase, which will generally cause rot at the interface, difficulty in healing the stock, and greatly reduce the survival rate. It can be said that nine out of ten cases lead to death. The author has learned his lesson. In addition, in April, the internal physiological activities of the cactus rootstock have begun to sprout. Sometimes tender stems will appear in different parts of the rootstock and must be removed at any time, otherwise they will compete with the scion for nutrients and inhibit the survival and growth of the scion.

After grafting according to the above requirements, it can usually survive in half a month. You can also do your own visual inspection. After half a month, if you see the scion standing upright, very energetic, and feeling relatively firm, then it is most likely that it has been grafted. If the grafted seedlings are managed well, they will bloom in small quantities that year, and in the second year they will be standing in front of you for you to enjoy. Leaf Cactus_Leaf Cactus Introduction

(Alias: Tiger Thorn, Wood Unicorn)

Family: Cactaceae, Leaf Cactus genus.

Scientific name: pereskia aculeata.

English name:

Origin: America and West Indies.

Propagation method: cuttings.

Flowering and fruiting period: The flowering period is from late summer to early autumn.

Rizhao: Full sunshine.

Temperature: The suitable growth temperature is 25℃～30℃.

Soil: Prefers loose, well-drained sandy loam.

Moisture: Likes moisture and tolerates drought.

Morphological characteristics

Semi-deciduous woody climbing vine, with vines up to 3 to 10 meters long. The old branches have thorns. They often grow in opposite and downward curves on the climbing branches. hook. Leaves are ovate, broadly elliptic to elliptical-lanceolate, apex acute to short acuminate, base wedge-shaped to rounded, entire margin, slightly fleshy. Inflorescences in racemes or panicles, flowers white or slightly yellow or pink, fragrant. berry.

Ornamental purposes

The flowers of the leaf cactus are elegant and fragrant. It is an excellent ornamental plant and is suitable for garden hedge cultivation. Because of its thorny stems, it is not suitable for greening in residential areas, kindergartens, and primary school campuses.

Medicinal value of cactus Nutritional and health-care value of cactus

Cactus (also known as prickly pear and Guanyin palm) is a thorny plant growing in tropical and subtropical desert areas. There are many varieties of cacti, with strange shapes and bright colors. They are a wonder among ornamental plants. It can not only beautify the living environment, but also has great medicinal and health care value. Cactus can be collected and used as medicine throughout the year. It can be used fresh or sliced ??and dried for later use. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that cactus is bitter in taste and cold in nature. It has the effects of promoting qi, activating blood circulation, clearing away heat and detoxifying. It is mainly used for gastric pain, lumps, dysentery, hemorrhoids, cough, sore throat, lung carbuncle, boils, burns, and snakebites. Injury etc. These have been recorded in ancient materia medica and folk writings.

Medicinal value of cactus

The medicinal value of cactus in my country has been passed down from the folk and has been used and developed. The medicinal use of cactus was first recorded in the "Compendium of Materia Medica" written by Zhao Xuemin in the Qing Dynasty of my country. According to the book, cactus has a mild taste and is cold in nature. Its functions are to promote qi and activate blood circulation, clear away heat and detoxify, reduce swelling and relieve pain, invigorate the spleen and stop diarrhea, soothe the nerves and diuresis. It can be taken internally and externally to treat a variety of diseases.

According to the latest research report by American scientists, cactus contains 17 kinds of amino acids, 4 kinds of vitamins, 8 kinds of trace elements, a large amount of flavonoids and polysaccharides, and also contains more than 10,000 phytochemicals (also known as Phytonutrients), the plant with the highest concentration of phytochemicals that scientists have discovered to date. Modern medical research shows that cactus can enhance human immunity, regulate body metabolism, improve microcirculation, dissolve blood clots, repair gastric ulcers, and regulate gastrointestinal disorders such as indigestion and constipation. In addition to enhancing gastrointestinal motility, its fiber and mucus can also cleanse the digestive tract. Since cactus contains amino acids and antioxidants, it also protects the body from environmental pollution. Cactus contains a substance called propylene glycol acid, which inhibits the growth of fat and can help you lose weight. Cactus also has unique effects in calcium supplementation, blood sugar lowering, and blood lipid lowering. According to statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), Mexico has the lowest incidence rates of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes in the world. This is not unrelated to the long-term consumption of cactus by Mexicans.

Nutritional and health-care value of cactus

Cactus is a new type of vegetable with high calcium, high flavonoid polysaccharide, low sodium and no oxalic acid. It is known as the green natural food of the 21st century and can not only be used as a vegetable It can be eaten directly or processed into a variety of health products. There is a proverb in Mexico: A cactus grows one day at a time. Li Shizhen, a famous medical scientist from the Ming Dynasty in my country, also said that eating cactus can help you live longer. Dr. Chen Zhaofei, a Chinese-American scientist and founder of nutritional immunology, once said that cactus is the most perfect food given to humans by nature!

Because cactus is extremely nutritious, it can be seen in five-star hotels and presidential state banquet menus in American countries. It is also popular in many countries in Europe, Africa and Japan. In the cactus kingdom of Mexico, the tender stems (palms) of cactus are sold as vegetables in the market: pickled with salt and eaten as a cold dish, crisp and refreshing; cooked and eaten, delicious; decoctioned with sugar and processed into candied fruit, with a delicious flavor unique.

But not all cacti are edible. Edible cacti usually refer to the species included in the Cactaceae family and the genus Cactus. Their fleshy stems can be eaten as vegetables and their fruits can be eaten fresh. Reasons for the bud drop of crab claw orchid

The crab claw orchid is extremely sensitive. In the process of potting crab claw orchid, people often see that the buds sometimes fall off as soon as they appear, which is a pity and trouble.

The suitable temperature for crab claw orchid bud growth is 15 to 20°C. If the temperature is lower than 15°C, the growth will stop. Once the rootstock stops growing, the supply of nutrients and water will be limited, which will inevitably cause withered buds and drop. bud. Lower temperatures at night in late autumn can also cause bud drop. The budding time of crab claw orchid is generally in late October. At this time, the nights are long and the days are short, especially in the northern region, the sunshine is greatly shortened. People have to move the orchid pots indoors. The flowers and plants lose photosynthesis, and the bud drop phenomenon is difficult to avoid. . After crab claw orchid buds appear, additional phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be applied promptly. Potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution should be sprayed on the leaves every week, otherwise the buds will fall due to insufficient phosphorus and potassium fertilizers.

When watering crab claw orchid, you should pay attention to the water temperature being consistent with the ambient temperature at that time, and the drop should not be too large. If the water temperature is too cool or too lower than the ambient temperature, it can cause a large number of flower buds to fall off. Watering too much or too little can also cause bud drop.