The Christmas cactus is a popular plant that is known for its beautiful flowers. Many people wonder if they should fertilize their Christmas cactus while it is blooming. The answer is yes! Fertilizing your Christmas cactus while it is blooming will help it to produce more flowers.
No, you should not fertilize your Christmas cactus while it is blooming.
Do you fertilize a Christmas cactus when it is in bloom?
A Christmas cactus needs a yearly care schedule to stay healthy and bloom each year. In the spring, fertilize the plant after it flowers. During the summer, move the cactus outdoors to a shady area and continue to water and fertilize it regularly. To encourage flowering, stop applying fertilizer at the end of summer.
It’s important to fertilize your plants regularly, especially during the growing season. A half-strength liquid fertilizer, like 20-20-20 with trace elements, is a good option. Remember to also add extra magnesium to your Christmas cactus, as they have a higher requirement for this nutrient than most plants.
How do you care for a Christmas cactus while it’s blooming
When watering your cactus, it is important to keep the soil evenly moist. You can do this by misting it frequently. For light, place the cactus in an east-facing window so it can get moderate light and some direct sun. When fertilizing, apply a high-potassium fertilizer every two weeks once buds form.
A bloom formula houseplant fertilizer or a half strength water soluble formula, such as 20-20-20 or 20-10-20, makes an ideal fertilizer for Christmas cactus. Feed monthly during regular watering from late winter to late summer.
How often do you water a Christmas cactus when it’s blooming?
It’s important to water your plants regularly, but you don’t want to overdo it. A good rule of thumb is to water every 2 to 3 weeks, but only water when the top one third of 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.
To encourage bud set, provide bright light, temperatures between 55 F and 65 F, and 13 hours or more of continuous darkness each day. For flowers during the winter holiday season, long nights should be started in late September or October and continued for eight weeks.
Can I use Miracle Gro on Christmas cactus?
Christmas cactus is a popular holiday plant that can be easily cared for with Miracle-Gro® Cactus, Palm & Citrus Potting Mix and Miracle-Gro® Succulent Plant Food. To water, simply wait until the top 1 to 2 inches of soil are dry. You can also increase the humidity around the plant by misting it with water or placing it on a pebble tray. After blooming, continue to feed the plant until fall.
Epsom salt is a great way to make your plants’ blooms bigger. However, it will not promote flower production. If you want your plant to produce flowers, you will need to fertilize it on a regular basis.
When should you put a Christmas cactus in the dark
The best way to get your forest cactus to bloom beautifully for the holidays is to put it in a dark closet for 14 hours a night, starting six to eight weeks before you want it to bloom. Bring it back out into a bright location during daylight hours. Once buds begin to form, the closet treatment is no longer needed.
Before the first frost, bring your Christmas cactus indoors and water sparingly. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Once the plant has flowered, stop watering for 30 days. Resume watering when you see new growth.
Should Christmas cactus be misted?
Cacti are desert plants and as such, they don’t need much water. In fact, too much water can be detrimental to their health. Instead of watering them like you would a traditional plant, you should be misting your cactus every day. 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.
If you want your Xmas cactus to thrive, it’s important to give it the right amount of light. Ideally, it should get around 8 hours of bright light per day. A sunny room that gets natural indirect light is perfect. If you’re moving it outside for the warmer months, choose a spot that is mostly shaded, or gets dappled sunlight. Too much sun can cause the leaves to burn, redden, or shrivel.
How do I thicken my Christmas cactus
Don’t forget to trim your Christmas cactus about a month after blooming to create a fuller, bushier plant. Just pinch off one or more of the sections and replant them in separate pots if you want to create new plants. But never prune a Christmas cactus after late spring.
It’s really important to start restricting the amount of water you give your plants. Too much water can actually drown the plant and kill it. Watch the leaves and soil to determine how much water your plant needs.
Does coffee help Christmas cactus bloom?
Coffee grounds are a great way to add nutrients to your Christmas cactus. The potassium and nitrogen in the grounds help promote flowers on the plant. While the cactus will grow without much help, the flowers will benefit from the added nutrients. So if you want your Christmas cactus to really stand out this year, add some coffee grounds to the soil!
Christmas cacti thrive in indirect light and humid conditions. They should be kept out of direct sunlight, and a north- or east-facing window is ideal.
Warp Up
No, you should not fertilize your Christmas cactus while it is blooming.
If you want your Christmas cactus to bloom again next year, you should fertilize it while it is blooming. A balanced fertilizer will help to promote new growth and keep your plant healthy. Be sure to water your plant regularly and fertilize according to the package directions. With a little extra care, you can enjoy beautiful blooms for years to come.
