How to grow and care for Christmas cacti, one of the most popular winter plants, so that it can continue to thrive after the holiday season.
During the upcoming holiday season, you may receive a Christmas cactus as a gift. You need to take care of it so that it can survive without problems and keep you company for a long time with its beautiful and colorful flowers that can embellish any room.
First of all, you should know that the Christmas cactus is a plant species native to Brazil, botanically called Schlumbergera, which belongs to the Cactaceae family, which mostly grows in tropical forests. It is a plant that prefers shade and moisture. For this reason, the indoor climate of our homes becomes an ideal climate for lush growth in winter when the heating is on.
1. When does the Christmas cactus bloom?
The Cacraceae can have different flowering times, but what characterizes the Christmas cactus is the fact that its flowers bloom just before the end-of-year festivities, hence the name of this wild plant from Brazil and other parts of Latin America that was imported to Europe as a houseplant.
Between December and January, you can admire the flowers of the Christmas cactus. Their colors can range from pink to red and purple to reddish-violet. To prevent the flower buds from wilting before they bloom, the Christmas cactus should be carefully kept away from drafts and heat sources. The Christmas cactus should therefore not be placed near a frequently opened door or too close to a fireplace, stove or radiator.
2. Where to place?
The ideal temperature for the indoor Christmas cactus is 20°C. To prolong the flowering of the cactus in winter, you need to place it in a bright room. Later in the summer, the Christmas cactus can be placed outdoors in a semi-shaded place so that leaf fire does not occur if the sun is too strong. In autumn, from the beginning of September, the plant can be brought indoors. The reduction in daylight hours and sunlight means that flowering can be delayed until the holiday season.
One of the perfect places to keep the Christmas cactus in your home in December and January is on the inner windowsill so that the flowers can take advantage of the daylight to bloom throughout the winter.
The elevated position of the plant is essential if you have pets such as dogs or cats. Ingestion of certain parts of the plant can cause diarrhea or vomiting in pets. It must therefore be placed in such a way that pets cannot easily reach it. In case of problems, the veterinarian should be consulted immediately.
3. When to water the Christmas cactus?
The Christmas cactus is native to the rainforests of South America and therefore prefers a humid climate. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to watering in both summer and winter. In winter, it should be watered regularly and gradually so that the saucer does not absorb water, but the soil remains moist. In summer, we do the same, with the possibility of spraying a little water on the leaves with a sprayer. In summer, the best time to water the Christmas cactus, which requires small amounts of water at once, is in the evening. In particularly dry climates, try to keep it in a room with a small humidifier or other plants.
It is important to avoid water stagnation and water regularly but not excessively, especially during flowering. Overwatering can cause root rot, which can lead to the death of the plant. This rot can also be caused by a fungus, unfortunately not visible from the outside, until the first damage appears. The flowering of the plant can sometimes last from December to February. In any case, watering can be reduced after flowering. During the entire life of the plant, watering should only be done if the soil appears dry on the surface. It may be sufficient to water only once or twice a week in winter.
The Christmas cactus likes soils with an acidic pH value and preferably peaty. It is optional to use natural fertilizers during the flowering period to ensure the nutrition of the plant. Fertilization should be interrupted when the flowers fall. If you want to fertilize, it is best to do so in the spring and summer when physiological growth is in progress.
4. How do you propagate and propagate your Christmas cactus?
- Propagation by cuttings
If you want to propagate your cactus, you can do it well at home with the stems of the previous year, which were dried for a few days before planting. Proceed as follows:
Take a stem of the plant about 10-15 cm long.
Set the cutting aside for at least 48 hours.
Once it has dried, you can plant it in soil with a sandy mixture, if possible, and bury it at least 3 cm deep in the ground.
- Propagation by hand pollination
Another way to propagate your Christmas cactus if you have two or more plants with differently colored flowers is through hand pollination. Specifically, with a small brush, you will have to collect the pollen from one and place it on the other and wait for the plant to bear fruit. These have small seeds that can be planted in the spring.
5. Lifespan
Christmas cacti can have a very long lifespan of up to 20 or 30 years, making them an even more symbolic Christmas gift.