The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) is a popular holiday plant that’s easy to grow. Here are a few tips on how to get your Christmas cactus to bloom.
Place your Christmas cactus in a bright location, but avoid direct sunlight. Water weekly, or whenever the soil feels dry to the touch. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering. Feed monthly with a balanced cactus fertilizer. Blooming typically occurs in December; however, you can encourage early blooming by placing your plant in a cool, dark location for about six weeks in October.
Does Christmas cactus like sun or shade?
To ensure that your holiday cacti grow best, place them in a location with partial shade, such as an east or west facing window. The ideal temperature for these cacti is between 70° and 80℉.
To care for your Christmas cactus, water it every 2 to 3 weeks, but only water when the top one third of the soil feels dry to the touch. For example, if the plant is in 6 inches of soil, water when the top 2 inches feel dry.
How do you grow Christmas cactus indoors
Temperature: Maintain an optimal climate of 65 degrees. 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.
This will help to trigger the cactus’ natural process of dormancy and prepare it for winter.
What triggers a Christmas cactus to bloom?
To encourage bud set, provide bright light, temperatures between 55 F and 65 F, and 13 hours or more of continuous darkness each day.
Christmas Cacti bloom best when slightly potbound. Mine was in a 6″ grow pot and I planted it into an 8″ pot. I’ve seen older Christmas Cacti planted in relatively small pots and they’re doing just fine. Make sure the pot has at least 1 drain hole.
Can you use Miracle Grow on Christmas cactus?
Christmas cactus is a beautiful succulent that is easy to take care of. When planting your Christmas cactus, be sure to use Miracle-Gro® Cactus, Palm & Citrus Potting Mix and water when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil are dry. To increase humidity around the plant, mist it occasionally or place it on a pebble tray. You can feed your Christmas cactus from after blooming until fall with Miracle-Gro® Succulent Plant Food.
While there are a number of ways you can water your cactus, watering from the top is generally considered the best method. This is a good way to avoid overwatering, as you can slowly pour the water over the potting medium until it is evenly and thoroughly moistened.
Should I be misting my Christmas cactus
Cacti are special plants that don’t need much water to survive. Instead of watering your cactus every day, mist it with a spray bottle instead. A few squirts is all you need. The only time you should water the base of the plant is when the soil is completely dry.
For Schlumbergera, the best and fastest method of propagation is directly in the soil. While roots may develop faster in water, you still need to plant them once they develop, and as we’ve already discussed, Christmas cacti are delicate and break easily. The less handling they receive, the better.
What month do you not water Christmas cactus?
The Christmas cactus has a bloom cycle that is dictated by dormancy, water, light, and temperature. In order to encourage blooming, you should cut back on watering your Christmas cactus during the late fall months, from October to the middle of November. Allow the top two or three inches of soil to dry out between waterings. By following these tips, you can encourage your Christmas cactus to bloom beautifully.
Soggy conditions are not ideal for Christmas cacti – they need air around their roots. I have seen them growing well in garden soil used as potting soil, however, the ideal potting soil would contain a high proportion of organic matter such as peat or well-decomposed compost.
Is Epsom salt good for Christmas cactus
Holiday cacti need more magnesium than most plants, so be sure to fertilize them monthly during the growing season with a mixture of Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) and water. Use 1 teaspoon of Epsom salts per gallon of water. Don’t apply the fertilizer the same week as your regular fertilizer.
A Christmas cactus needs a humid environment to thrive, so if your home is dry indoors during winter, consider placing the plant on a tray of pebbles or near other plants. Water the cactus when the top surface feels dry, and never let it sit in water. Christmas cacti prefer daytime temperatures of 65 to 70 degrees and evening temperatures of 55 to 65 degrees.
What pots are best for Christmas cactus?
While a Christmas Cactus looks and grows great in an unglazed terra cotta or clay pot, it’s important to note that these pots can be quite fragile. Be sure to handle them with care to avoid any breakage.
The Christmas cactus is a beautiful plant that blooms in December. The flowers are usually pink or white and they make a great addition to any home.
Warp Up
To grow a Christmas cactus, you will need a well-draining potting mix and a pot with drainage holes. Place the pot in a location that receives bright, indirect light. Water the plant when the soil is dry to the touch. Allow the plant to dry out completely between watering. Feed the plant with a balanced fertilizer every other month. To encourage blooming, keep the plant in a cool location (between 55-65 degrees Fahrenheit) from October to February.
If you want to grow a Christmas cactus, you need to start with a cutting from a healthy plant. The cutting should be about 4 inches long, and you should use a sharp knife to make a clean cut. Next, dip the cutting in rooting hormone, and then plant it in a pot filled with moistened potting mix. Place the pot in a bright location, but out of direct sunlight. Keep the potting mix moist, but not soggy. Once the cutting has rooted, you can transplant it to a larger pot.
