KOnrad, I think going off center would be a mistake. It would make it harder to tuck in the strap as you would be bending it across a sloped angle instead of a line perpendicular to the run. Also when forcing the graft down into position if it were not centered on the point of the understock it would have a tendency to slide off to the side/down, instead of jamming in and firming up. but I have only done 4 of them so I don't speak with authority on the matter. I did find that by having the live strap and active flow growth on both sides of the understock, callus tissue quickly formed from both the strap sides and the top edges of the understock covering the exposed wood by seasons end. I have not done it yet,but believe the strap would lead into the understock better if the sloped cut in understock were curved (at least at the lower side) rather than the usual flat plane. Frank, I did them in apple. Low on a number of feral seedlings and root suckers from a fallen tree. I think most any graft would have grown well and healed in quickly given all the vigor of a young established tree was getting dumped into it. But I wanted to try it because...well yes it looks pretty. But I do think there is something to be gained by keeping circumferential flow going into the scion and active growth on both sides of understock. Other than a caliper matched whip and tongue (likely my favorite) most other grafts have reduced the active cambium contact of the scion by 40%-80%...at least in terms of the amount of severed end grain. Obviously all the standards work well, but it's nice to have something that lets you keep so much initial connection when your calipers don't match.

Wow, Teen do you know were you got yours at? Did you buy the plant small and grew it to 3 feet wide or did you buy it that size? Grantgarden2

ALEXBYRNE44.... IF you see this, that is the 'Christmas cactus I am searching for SO badly. Can you tell me where you got it? I know its a year ago, Maybe it is a store that is in Ft.laud, where I am,and i can look to see if they still sell it, this year. OR do you or someone else have any cuttings of it Schlumbergera X Buckleyi that is the one. I have a post on the Cactus forum looking for cuttings of this cactus, Mine was well over 150yo, and it died it went through so many generations, and Fla. heat must have been to much for it, after being in Conn. all its life. It died slowly over decades, then I got cuttings/segments of it from some other lucky owners of it, 4-5 years ago, but they have died on me this past summer, after Hurricane Irma came through. It finally gave up 2 weeks ago:( Just in time for X-Mas. The extra hot summer we had must have been to much for it, then the hurricane took the rest of its 'strength I guess. If you or someone sees this, maybe you can help me out???

Hi, I just saw your-post about having cuttings from a True Schlumbergera Buckleyi. Is this truly the real Christmas Cactus with no points on side of phylocades(sp?). I used to have one but lost it when I went to the hospital for emergency spine surgery. I would love to have some cuttings if you have any to spare. Do you have any pictures of it? Of course I would pay for shipping. I live outside of Chicago. I do not have any of the ones you are looking for but have a dark pink Thanksgiving cactus I could send you some cuttings from. Hoping to hear from you. Sharon (plantlovr)