The easy-care Christ thorn is relatively easy to propagate, which is a great benefit given the price for well-grown plants. You can grow a Christ thorn by sowing, but also with the help of cuttings, which requires less time.
How do I propagate Christ thorn through cuttings?
To cut offshoots from the Christ's thorn, choose strong shoots in spring and cut 8-10 cm long head cuttings. Let them “bleed” in water, let them dry slightly and put them in potting soil. After about 30 days, if development is good, stimulate branching.
How do I cut offshoots from the Christ thorn?
The Christ thorn is quite tolerant of pruning. You can prune it virtually any time. However, pruning is particularly recommended in spring. If you want to shape the plant, then use this opportunity to cut offshoots for propagation.
If you only want to cut offshoots, then do this in the spring as well. Choose a few strong, he althy shoots from which you cut head cuttings about eight to ten centimeters long. It is important that your tools are clean and sharp so that you do not injure the plant unnecessarily or transmit diseases.
Carefully wrap the interface with kitchen paper or put some charcoal on it to dry. Remember that the milky sap is just as poisonous as any other part of the plant. It can cause severe irritation and should therefore not touch your skin.
How do I care for the Christ thorn offshoots?
Let your cuttings bleed for a while in a container filled with water and then let them dry slightly for a few hours. Then put the cuttings in pots with potting soil or a mixture of sand and cactus soil.
After about a month in a warm place they should be well rooted. Keep your cuttings evenly moist during this time. Later, shorten the tips of your young plants above the fourth or fifth leaf so that they branch better.
The most important things in brief:
- Cut cuttings about 8 to 10 cm long
- use sharp and clean tools
- Dry the interface with kitchen paper or charcoal
- Let the cutting “bleed” in water
- then dry lightly
- Put in potting soil or a cactus soil-sand mixture
- place warm
- Rooting time: approx. 30 days
- Stimulate branching if development is good
Tip
To get beautifully branched plants, you should trim your young Christ thorns, then they will form new shoots and grow bushier.
