Lovers of indoor flowers, for sure, are familiar with Schlumberger (other names - Christmas tree, Decembrist, Zigokaktus, Varvarin color).
This graceful, small and beautifully blossoming plant several times a year will decorate any room. The article will discuss how to plant a Decembrist at home.
How to propagate the Christmas tree by cuttings?
The most common breeding method for zygocactus is grafting. This is done by separating the cutting, consisting of two or three segments. Although a Decembrist from the sultry Brazil, her tropical forests, he also grew in Europe, so the plant survives well in any weather. This is one of the reasons why Schlumbergera fell in love with gardeners.
Before propagating the flower by cuttings, it is necessary to know how to take a process, so as not to harm, which season is more suitable for this event, how to separate the segment from the parent plant and root it. 
Season
Varvarin color survives well even in cool weather. But it is better to do it all the same in spring, timing reproduction for April-May: by this time the flower has already bloomed.
You will probably be interested to know what to do if the Decembrist does not bloom.
Segment separation from the parent plant
To separate a segment, see if there are small roots on the segments of the zygocactus. In an adult and healthy plants, they are sure to be found. If it is decided to grow a lush bush, one does not do with a cutting, we need several at once.
After selecting the desired segment, clamp it with your fingers and, turning, separate from the plant. The second hand at this time should hold the stem. There is no need to make special efforts: the intended cutting is easily separated from the plant.
Important! You can not use a knife, scalpel or scissors to separate the cuttings: you can harm the plant.After this procedure, the segments must be dried for several days, during which they must have access to the open air. It is better to place the cuttings in a container, so there is less risk that they are injured. It is necessary to dry the cuttings until a vitreous film forms at the site of separation. After that, rooting can be done.
Rooting
Rooting can be done both in the substrate and in the water. Consider each of the options.
In the substrate
The soil must be properly selected and prepared. The Decembrist likes a substrate richly rich in peat. You can independently prepare such a soil using:
- 1 part of sod land;
- 6 pieces of leafy ground;
- 4 pieces of humus;
- 2 pieces of sand;
- 2 parts peat.
Important! Often, growers use only peat, without other components.The main condition is that the soil should be breathable and lightweight, which will be an effective preventive measure against contagion and pest infestation. Having prepared the cuttings and the substrate, you need to find the right capacity. The Christmas tree has a poorly developed root system. The temporary pot may be small in the transplant procedure. Having filled the pot with the prepared wet soil, it is necessary to press it a little, making a well. If the plans for the future Christmas car should be a big bush, then several cuttings are planted in one pot at the same time. You can also use disposable pots until you have chosen a permanent place of residence. Rooting usually does not interfere.
The optimum temperature for the breeding period should be + 15 ... + 20 ° С. At the same time, a new bush should receive appropriate ventilation and watering. This can be achieved by creating a temporary "greenhouse", covering the pot with a glass jar or plastic wrap. For airing, it is necessary to remove this shelter for 20-30 minutes a day. Watering to produce moderate.Read more about how to water the Decembrist at home.
In water
For rooting of the processes of the zygocactus in water, it is important that the stem, dried after unscrewing, should not be submerged completely, but only its lower part. You also need to see what the water became the next day: if it dims, then pour it out and wash the cutting with running water. Now the new clean water "charge" with a tablet of activated carbon and leave the future Christmas car until the root mass appears. As soon as it appeared, the plant can be planted in a pot.
Conditions with this method of reproduction:
- capacity - small;
- temperature - + 18 ° С;
- airing and watering are the same as reproduction in the substrate.
How to grow schlumbergera from seed?
Growing a flower from seed is similar to how it is done with other plants. The main difference is in the timing of germination. Shoots Schmooberberger may appear within three weeks. As a rule, the plant germinates in 20-30 days.
When to sow?
Sowing seeds of the Decembrist is best done in the spring and right on the surface of the soil. Seeds do not need powder: you can only lightly press them with your palm to the surface of the soil.
Planting pot and soil
For planting seeds can be used disposable capacity. It is important that the soil be in the ratio of 1: 1 with sand. You can plant the seeds of the Decembrist in clean sand and in the open ground. But the soil must be decontaminated by insecticides: it is more reliable for seed germination and for the future plant. 
As for the size of the pot, then if the future bush is not planned to grow large, bulky, then the diameter of the tank for sowing seeds may be small. Pot material can be any.
Did you know? In nature, zigokaktus pollinate the smallest birds on the planet. - hummingbird.
Seed preparation
Before planting, soak the Decembrist seeds for a short time or carefully wash them in a solution of peroxide or potassium permanganate. Should pay attention to what seeds to plant. The best option is those that were received a year ago and were stored in a special tissue (linen) bag at room temperature and normal air humidity from 40 to 50%.
On the eve of planting seeds, they are heated for two days at a temperature of + 40 ... + 60 ° С. To accelerate germination, seeds are soaked in a growth stimulator - 1% sodium humate.
Sowing seeds
Decembrist seeds should not be buried deep in the ground. It is enough to slightly drown them.
Ideally, there should be a distance between the seeds. Flower growers believe that seeds actively germinate when there is enough air and moisture for them.
Shallow depth and lack of crowding are the conditions that will ensure active germination of the seeds of the Christmas tree.
Initial care
A Christmas tree is not a capricious flower, it can even resist rotting and survive drying, but this plant requires proper care. There are several factors that influence the growth of the Decembrist seed. The first factor is the lighting. If the light is low, the seedlings need to put under the lamp. The second prerequisite is that the future Christmas car from the very beginning should receive enough moisture. But watering the seeds is not the best option: you need to use a sprayer. After the conditions have been met and the roots appeared, you need to make a pick.
Dive roots and transplant seedlings can be 45 days after the shoots appeared: at this time there should already be a segment or a second leaf. Seedlings transplanted into individual, individual pots. It is necessary to get a plant accurately, having moistened soil and having undermined on the one hand: the main thing is not to damage the root system.
Did you know? In the tropics, Schlumbergers grow on trees, but do not parasitize them. From here - strong roots and fast growth.
As for the polyethylene film, it is useful for creating a greenhouse effect, but it should not be exploited for a long time. Germination will show everything: with the advent of roots, we can say that the new Decembrist is ready for transplanting to a permanent place of residence. The pot should choose a small one. But we must not forget that after the germination of seeds, pots or other containers must be completely freed and cleaned, and better disinfected.
It is impossible to change the illumination and temperature: seedlings require the same conditions as at the beginning of germination. So with the seedlings heated can be removed no earlier than 2 weeks after the picks.
Is it possible to dissolve a flower with a vaccine?
Vaccination as a way of breeding the Decembrist is the most interesting, but also difficult. Use vaccination without primary knowledge is not worth it. The first thing to keep in mind: for vaccination requires a second type of Christmas tree, but at the same time both plants must be healthy. Will require attention and accuracy. 
The top of one plant is cut off and a segment of another Christmas tree is tied or pinned to it. Where it is to inoculate, there are options: the first is to make a cut, to inoculate to the side, and the second is to graft to the trunk. The most difficult thing is not to harm the plant with the wrong cut or fixation (it must be reliable and dense).
Possible difficulties
Usually problems arise due to improper care of the flower. Among the difficulties highlighted:
- Root disease. The reason: the soil was not sufficiently treated, and bacteria appeared. The solution can be a seed transplant.
- The plant does not bloom. The reason lies in the lighting and poor quality soil. The north side and the scorching sun flower is contraindicated.
- If after rooting the leaves of the Decembrist became red, the flower must be moved to a warm place, because it is frozen.
Important! When the buds appear, the Christmas tree cannot be moved, otherwise it will reset them.
The Decembrist is an unpretentious plant, but for its reproduction, care is needed, attention and compliance with the recommendations. Then a beautiful blooming Christmas tree will be able to decorate your home and delight households for more than 20 years.
