![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.santeplusmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cactus-de-Noel-2.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n1. When does the Christmas cactus bloom?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cacraceae can have different flowering periods, but what characterizes the Christmas cactus is the fact that its flowers bloom just as the end-of-year festivities approach, hence the name of this wild plant native to Brazil and other parts of Latin America that was imported to Europe as a houseplant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can admire the Christmas cactus flowers between December and January. Their colors can range from pink to red and purple to red-purple. In order for the flower buds not to wilt before flowering, the Christmas cactus should be carefully kept away from drafts and heat sources. The Christmas cactus should therefore not be placed near a door that is open frequently or too close to a fireplace, stove or radiator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Where to place it?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The ideal temperature for the indoor Christmas cactus is 20\u00b0C. To prolong the flowering of the cactus in the winter time, you need to place it in a bright room. Later in the summer, the Christmas cactus can be placed outdoors in a partially shaded location so that excessive exposure to direct sunlight does not cause leaf burn. In autumn, from the beginning of September, the plant can be moved indoors. The reduction in daylight hours and its exposure to the sun means that its flowering can be delayed until the Christmas period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the perfect places to keep the Christmas cactus in your home during December and January is the inside windowsill, so the flowers can take advantage of the daylight to bloom during the winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The elevated position of the plant is crucial 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 positioned in such a way that animals cannot easily reach it. If you have any problems, consult your veterinarian immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. When to water the Christmas cactus?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Christmas cactus is native to the rainforests of South America and therefore prefers a humid climate. It is therefore necessary to pay special attention to watering, both in summer and winter. In winter, it should be watered regularly, a little at a time, preventing the saucer from absorbing water, but keeping the soil moist. In summer, the same is done, with the possibility of spraying a little water on the leaves using a sprayer. In summer, the best time to water your Christmas cactus, which needs small amounts of water at a time, is in the evening. In particularly dry climates, try keeping it in a room with a small humidifier or other plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is important to avoid waterlogging and water regularly but not excessively, especially during flowering. Overwatering can cause root rot, which can lead to plant death. This rot can also be caused by a fungus, which is 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, once flowering is finished, watering can be reduced. Throughout the life of the plant, watering should only be done when the soil appears dry on the surface. It may be enough to water just once or twice a week in winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Christmas cactus likes soils that are acidic pH and, if possible, peat-containing. It is optional to use natural fertilizers during the flowering period to ensure the nutrition of the plant. Fertilization should be stopped when the flowers fall off. If you want to fertilize, it is best to do so in the spring and summer when physiological growth is taking place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to propagate your cactus, it is possible to do so at home using the stems from the previous year that have been dried for a few days before being planted. Do the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Take a stem of the plant that is about 10-15 cm long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Set the cut aside for at least 48 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once it has dried, you can plant it in soil, possibly with a sandy mixture, burying it at least 3 cm deep in the soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another way to propagate your Christmas cactus if you have two or more plants with different colored flowers is to use hand pollination. Concretely, you have to use a small brush to collect the pollen from one and place it on top of the other and wait for the plant to bear fruit. These will have small seeds that can be planted in the spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Christmas cactus plants can have a very long lifespan, up to 20 or 30 years, making them an even more symbolic Christmas gift.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" How to grow and care for the Christmas cactus, one of the most popular winter plants, so that it can continue to thrive beyond the holiday season. During the upcoming […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":732,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-731","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-advice"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.santeplusmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cactus-noel-lumiere.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n4. How to propagate and multiply your Christmas cactus?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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5. Lifespan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n