Outdoors, you can control the amount of light your plant receives by placing it at ideal parts of your garden. Indoors, there are grow lights with built-in automatic timer available in the market. Otherwise, you can obtain a separate automatic timer to go with your grow light. Once the Christmas cactus has ceased blooming usually by fall , or about 6 to 8 weeks before you want the plant to bloom again, allow the plant to begin its dormancy cycle by reducing light, water , and temperature.
As soon as flower buds start to form, you should increase light and humidity. The dormancy cycle is over when your plant begins to bud. At this point, you should provide your plant with more humidity, light, water, and higher temperature. In other words, resume your previous routine a few months ago.
Skip to content The Christmas cactus is one of the rare plants that bloom near Christmas, so it takes a bit of care to ensure that blooms do occur. Christmas Cactus Light Requirements Bright, indirect light Preferably in East or North-facing windows If in South or West-facing window, diffuse the light with semi-transparent curtains or some other light-diffusing device Use a grow light if placed indoors with low light.
Allow each section to dry for a few hours before pushing them into a 3-inch pot that contains the same potting soil as the parent plant. Treat the cuttings as mature plants. In about four to six weeks, the cuttings should have rooted and will begin to show some new growth. They grow quickly, and should take in about 2 or 3 weeks. You can fertilize after the cutting has grown one new segment. Repot every years. Your plant should be fine for a couple of years unless the root system gets diseased or harmed.
Apart from this, a new pot is needed when the roots have filled it or when the soil has been officially depleted of nutrients. Most people do this in the spring. When replanting or repotting, use new, fresh soil. It's worth the few extra dollars since it will probably be sitting in that soil for a long time. Your plant is a living thing like you, so it deserves the best.
The best time for repotting is between February and April, about once every three years. Just be sure not to give it a pot that's too big—the Christmas cactus flowers best when it's pot-bound. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow. Maggie Moran.
Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer. Not Helpful 15 Helpful Not Helpful 17 Helpful Not Helpful 16 Helpful Not Helpful 22 Helpful Harmony Corelitz Plant Specialist. Harmony Corelitz. Not Helpful 2 Helpful 2. Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2. To keep your plant looking nice, deadheading should be done. Is it better to water from the top, or place it in a bowl of water and let soak for a while?
It all depends on the soil you are using. Darker potting soil typically absorbs and holds onto water longer. If you're using fast-draining soil like the article says, then you should water from the top and let the water trickle down. Not Helpful 14 Helpful I rooted a Christmas Cactus leaf, and now it has what looks like two roots growing from the top. What does this mean?
You did everything right. These cacti are epiphytes, which means they grow on trees, so their roots show above the ground as well as below. What you are seeing is a good thing as these are roots looking to grab onto something.
It will take some time for the cutting to bloom though probably years. Not Helpful 13 Helpful Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. The blooming instructions are based on having a cold Christmas. If you reside in the Southern Hemisphere, you may have more difficulty finding this plant around Christmas time, and they'll need more controlled conditions in order to bloom during the holidays.
You'll probably have better luck getting them to bloom during the coldest months of the year. Helpful 8 Not Helpful 1. The cactus will only grow to the circumference of its pot. If you want it to get bigger, you have to plant it in a wider pot. Helpful 10 Not Helpful 4. Be sure to turn plants at regular intervals while encouraging new growth. Otherwise, you will get lush bloom on one side and few if any on the other. Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0.
The Christmas cactus is a beautiful plant that can bloom year after year; you will want to keep it even after the holidays pass. You can even pass it down through generations. Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0. Any sudden changes in temperature, light, and watering will damage the Christmas cactus. Drafts and temperature extremes can cause the flower buds to drop from the plant before they have a chance to open. This is because the tropical forests of Brazil have a thick canopy that creates a womb-like atmosphere for the plant to bloom.
To keep blooms from dropping, the soil must remain moist, the temperature a steady 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, no fertilizer in the late summer to fall months, and 14 hours of darkness each day. Other issues that could affect your Christmas Cactus are:.
The best course of action is to start a new plant before the infection spreads too far. The plant can be saved at this stage as long as the damaged root is removed, but if it moves up the stem, it can be deadly for the plant.
Reducing the humidity level can prevent this disease. To encourage blooms to form you must create certain conditions for the plant. The temperature must be between 50 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit each night from the end of October, which is about six to eight weeks before Christmas. The room must be completely dark for 12 to 14 hours each night as well. Christmas Cactus can be a difficult plant to care for, but with a little bit of effort, you will have a delightful blooming plant right around the holiday season that your family and friends can envy.
Related Articles:. Tips for Reviving a Wilted Christmas Cactus. Design Ideas. Home Maintenance. Country Living Shop. Shopping Guides. United States. Type keyword s to search. Today's Top Stories. Makeover Takeover: Colonial Comeback. Treat Your Family to Homemade Cupcakes. About the Christmas Cactus Though they are cacti, they're not desert-dwelling plants! You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
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