A Christmas cactus is a cactus that usually blooms around Christmas time. They are typically red, pink, or white, and have around 20-30 petals. Christmas cacti generally bloom for around two weeks.
A Christmas cactus typically has green stems and dark green, pointy leaves. The plant may have pink, red, or white flowers. Before it blooms, the plant’s buds are often visible.
How do I know when my Christmas cactus will bloom?
To trigger blooming, your cactus needs 14 hours of darkness and 8-10 hours of light each day for at least six weeks. If you have strong indoor lighting that’s on at night, you may need to cover your cactus or move it to an area that’s exposed to the natural light cycle.
To encourage bud set, provide bright light, temperatures between 55 F and 65 F, and 13 hours or more of continuous darkness each day.
What time of year does a Christmas cactus bloom
The key to getting chrysanthemums to bloom is to minimize watering, provide plenty of light, and keep the temperature cool. Their bloom season typically falls during the early days of November.
If you want your Christmas cactus to bloom, you’ll need to give it at least 12 hours of darkness at night. Bright, indirect light during the day is fine, but the plant needs a period of darkness in order to encourage bud development.
When should you put a Christmas cactus in the dark?
This will help to trigger the plant’s natural process of dormancy and prepare it for winter.
It’s important to reduce watering of your Christmas cactus beginning in October in order to encourage dormancy. Water every four to six weeks during this time. When buds begin to form, return to your regular watering schedule.
Where is the best place to put a Christmas cactus?
Holiday cacti grow best when they are placed in a location with partial shade, such as an east or west facing window, with a temperature between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
To ensure your Christmas cactus blooms beautifully, follow these simple tips:
– Plant your cactus in a quality potting mix like Miracle-Gro® Cactus, Palm & Citrus Potting Mix.
– Water when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil are dry.
– During the blooming season, increase humidity around the plant by misting it regularly or placing it on a pebble tray.
– After blooming, continue to feed your cactus every month or so with Miracle-Gro® Succulent Plant Food.
How often do you water a Christmas cactus
Water your Christmas cactus when the soil feels dry to the touch. The Christmas Cactus thrives in dry environments, so be sure to water around once every 2-3 weeks.
To get your Christmas cactus to bloom, you need to mimic its natural bloom cycle. This means cutting back on water in late fall, from October to the middle of November. Let the top two or three inches of soil dry out between waterings. Then, increase the amount of light and the temperature. The extra light and warmth will help trigger blooming.
What is wrong with my Christmas cactus not flowering?
If you want your Christmas cactus to bloom properly, make sure it isn’t exposed to artificial light at night in fall. Flowers may also fail to develop if the plant is exposed to temperatures above 70°F. Night temperatures of 60 to 65°F with slightly warmer daytime temperatures are ideal for flower formation.
A Christmas Cactus is a great plant to have in an unglazed terra cotta or clay pot. The plant looks great and grows well in these types of pots.
How much light should a Christmas cactus get once it buds
An Xmas cactus should ideally 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.
Most cacti need very little fertilizer, but holiday cacti have a higher requirement for magnesium. Fertilize 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.
Are coffee grounds good for Christmas cactus?
Before you toss those coffee grounds in the trash, think about whether you can use them for a different purpose. It turns out that coffee grounds make for a great soil fertilizer, especially for your Christmas cactus. By using coffee grounds as fertilizer, you’ll be able to give your plant the nutrients it needs to thrive.
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.
Conclusion
A Christmas cactus before it blooms looks like a regular cactus. The main difference is that the Christmas cactus has a bloom stalk that is not yet blooming.
A Christmas cactus typically has a green stem and leaves, and the flowers are usually pink or white. Before it blooms, the flowers are not yet visible.
