If there is a typical plant for the coldest time of the year, it is undoubtedly the  Christmas cactus  or  school umbergera  . Although it blooms at Christmas time, it is important to take good care of this plant so that it gives us lots of flowers.

In this article we propose the main  remedies for the Christmas cactus and explain how to propagate it to obtain many other plants.

The  Christmas cactus  is a relatively easy plant to care for. In a bright place, away from direct sunlight that could burn the leaves, and at a temperature between 18 and 24°C, the plant should grow healthy and vigorous.

Under no circumstances should the plant be moved during flowering as this could cause the buds to fall off.

Propagate a Christmas cactus

Propagating this plant is as easy as it is practical. In the spring, take the parts of the stem that have two or three leaf sections and let them dry for a day or two.

Place the extracted pieces in a mixture of seed soil and fine sand. Insert the bottom of the pieces about 1cm deep so they can stand up. Water well and make sure excess water drains away.

Place the cuttings in a bright location but protected from direct sunlight. Water sparingly and spray water on the leaves regularly.

After 1 to 2 months the first roots will have formed; you can check this by moving the cutting slightly. If they have roots, pot them individually to allow them to grow.

Christmas cactus care

The Christmas cactus suffers when the ground is too cold and wet. Water sparingly in winter.

It is important to repot the Christmas cactus every 1-2 years, preferably in the spring and immediately after it ends its dormant period.

Transplant the Christmas cactus into a larger pot and use a cactus fertilizer to encourage its growth and blooming.