The Christmas cactus is a popular houseplant that is known for its beautiful blooms. The blooms can last for several weeks, and the plant can bloom multiple times throughout the year.
A Christmas Cactus typically blooms for around six to eight weeks.
How do I keep my Christmas cactus blooming?
To produce good flower buds, it is important to control the temperature and the amount of light that the plant receives. To encourage bud set, provide bright light, temperatures between 55 F and 65 F, and 13 hours or more of continuous darkness each day.
A Christmas cactus can bloom up to two times per year if they’re given the proper care and dormancy conditions. It’s normal for them to bloom in December, and sometimes they will flower again in the spring. If you want your Christmas cactus to bloom more than once a year, make sure to give it a rest period in between bloom cycles. During the rest period, keep the plant in a cool, dark place and water it very sparingly. Once the plant has had a chance to rest, you can start caring for it again and it should bloom for you in no time!
Should I water my Christmas cactus when it is blooming
Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist while your plant is blooming, misting it frequently.
Light: Place the cactus in an east-facing window for moderate light and some direct sun.
Fertilization: Apply a high-potassium fertilizer every two weeks once buds form.
To keep your cacti looking its best during and after the Christmas season, deadhead all the spent blooms. This also encourages the plant to continue blooming. Once Christmas is over, you can continue to enjoy your cacti until it finally stops producing flowers.
When should I put my Christmas cactus in the dark?
This will help to trigger the cactus’ natural process of dormancy and prepare it for winter.
If you’re looking to grow a holiday cactus, it’s best to place it in a location with partial shade, such as an east or west facing window. The ideal temperature for a holiday cactus is between 70° and 80℉.
How often should Christmas cactus be watered?
Christmas cacti are easy to care for and only need to be watered every 2-3 weeks. Be sure to only water when the top of the soil is dry to the touch. If you have a Christmas cactus in a 6-inch pot, you’ll only need to water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry.
The Christmas cactus is a beautiful addition to any home during the holidays. They are easy to care for and can live for up to 100 years with proper care! These plants make a great gift for any plant lover and are sure to brighten up any holiday home.
What causes Christmas cactus blooms to fall off
Dropping buds can be a result of overwatering, temperature extremes or lack of light. Your plant was given special treatment to make it bloom at Christmas, and it was provided with perfect growing conditions during this time. Somewhere in transit, or perhaps in your home, it encountered less than ideal conditions.
Your Christmas cactus will thrive when planted in Miracle-Gro® Cactus, Palm & Citrus Potting Mix. Be sure to water when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil are dry and increase humidity around the plant. From after blooming until fall, feed your Christmas cactus with Miracle-Gro® Succulent Plant Food.
What are the signs of overwatering a Christmas cactus?
A Christmas cactus is a succulent, so it needs very little water. In fact, too much water can be disastrous. Water only when the surface feels dry to the touch. If the flat stems get soft and mushy, you’re overwatering. If the stems look shriveled, you’re probably under-watering.
Misting your cactus instead of watering it like a traditional plant is the way to go! A few squirts from a spray bottle is all you need to keep your cactus happy. The only time you should be watering the base of the plant is when its soil is completely dry to the touch.
Can you break off a piece of Christmas cactus and plant it
Propagating a Christmas cactus is a relatively easy process. Simply take cuttings of one to four segments and allow them to sit in a cool, dry place for two to four days. Once the cuttings have dried out, plant them an inch deep in new soil, preferably a sand/peat mix. Water sparingly until roots or new growth develop, then water as normal.
As we mentioned earlier, coffee grounds include potassium and nitrogen, two minerals that help promote the flowers on a Christmas cactus While the plant itself will grow with little help, those gorgeous flowers that add color to a dreary winter benefit from these minerals.
What month do you not water Christmas cactus?
The Christmas cactus has a bloom cycle that is dependent on dormancy, water, light, and temperature. During the late fall, from October to the middle of November, you should cut back on how much you water your Christmas cactus. Let the top two or three inches of soil dry out between waterings.
Holiday cacti, like many other plants, have a higher requirement for magnesium than many plants. Fertilize holiday cacti monthly during the growing season with Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) mixed at 1 teaspoon per gallon of water, but do not apply the same week as the regular fertilizer.
Final Words
A Christmas cactus will typically bloom for around six to eight weeks.
The Christmas cactus generally blooms around Christmastime, hence its name. However, the length of time that the cactus actually blooms can vary. Some Christmas cacti may only bloom for a few days, while others may bloom for a couple of weeks. Ultimately, it depends on the individual plant.
