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Oct 24, 2024 · Kiersten Rankel, an expert from houseplant-care app Greg, says, ‘While Christmas cacti don't need complete darkness to bloom, they do benefit from a period of longer nights and cooler temperatures to trigger flowering. This mimics their natural habitat in Brazilian rainforests. ‘To encourage blooming, give your Christmas cactus 12-14 hours ...
- Does Christmas Cactus Like Sun Or Shade?
- How Often Do You Water A Christmas Cactus?
- How Do I Keep My Christmas Cactus Blooming?
- How Big Does A Christmas Cactus get?
- What Do You Feed A Christmas Cactus?
- How Long Do Christmas Cactus Live?
- What Kind of Soil Does A Christmas Cactus Need?
- Are Clay Pots Good For Christmas Cactus?
- Are Christmas Cactus Poisonous to Cats & Dogs?
- Conclusion
Christmas cactus, or ‘Schlumbergera’ to use its Latin botanical name, likes indirect sunlight. So if it’s indoors, a sunny room is good, ideally near an east or west-facing windowsill. If it’s outdoors, choose a shady spot, such as under a tree. This is because even though it’s not a cold-weather plant, too much direct sunlight can burn its leaves.
As tropical plants, Schlumbergera don’t like to get too dry, and shouldn’t be treated like typical cacti. Water them when the soil feels dry to your fingers. Let any excess water drain onto the saucer beneath the plant pot, then empty it: the Christmas cactus does not like having “wet feet”.
So, after you’ve encouraged your Christmas cactus to bloom, by using the 50/50 light/dark method, how do you keep those beautiful flowers coming? There’s no big trick or secret here: the main way to keep your holiday cactus blooming is to take care of it. It doesn’t like sudden changes in temperature or humidity, so once the buds form, find it a pe...
Because a well-loved Christmas cactus can live for years, they can reach a decent size. The hanging branches can reach lengths of two to three feet.Time to put it on a higher ledge or invest in a hanging basket!
Look out for a potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus fertilizer, and feed it to your cactus once or twice a month during its growing season. A fertilizer that dissolves in water makes it easier to feed. You can also give it a dose of Epsom salts (more about this in a moment).
The oldest Christmas cactus on record lived for 111 years! Most don’t live that long, but if you care for yours, it could survive for two, even three decades. They’re also great to propagate, so you can share your beautiful plant with your family and friends. Here’s a guide to how to propagate a Christmas cactus. It’s super-simple, and makes a love...
Your Christmas cactus needs well-draining, aerated soil to prevent its roots from rotting. You could also use a mix of regular potting soil and sandy (two parts to one part).
Clay pots are a great choice for your Christmas cactus. The naturally porous material absorbs water and provides good air circulation. They can also be excellent value for money! Their light brown color also looks good with the bright pink or purple flowers. One word of warning: clay will shatter if dropped. It’s worth thinking about this, as you b...
The good news is that Christmas cactus isn’t poisonous to your cat or dog. This makes it a great alternative to that other holiday favorite, the poinsettia, which is.
So there we have it – our essential guide to everything you need to know about Christmas cactus. We hope this article helps you care for yours successfully so you can enjoy its beautiful blooms every festive season. Best of all, Christmas cactus make lovely presents for friends and family over the holidays – and will help bring some vibrant winter ...
Sep 14, 2024 · For each of these days, aim to give the cactus 12-14 hours of total darkness. Begin it at around 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. each evening can be effective. Continue the darkness until about 6 a.m. or 8 a.m. the following morning. Note: Ensure that the room is completely dark; even a small amount of light can disrupt the process.
- Stephanie Bartlett
1. Master the Light-Dark Dance. The key to abundant blooming lies in understanding your Christmas cactus’s natural rhythms. These unique plants are photoperiodic, meaning they rely on specific light patterns to trigger flowering. The Dark Period Secret. Your Christmas cactus needs a precise schedule of darkness to start forming flower buds.
Oct 2, 2024 · Stop fertilizing. Keep your Christmas cactus cool between 50 and 55 degrees, and make sure to limit the amount of light it gets for about 6 to 8 weeks. During the day, the plant can receive indirect light, but it needs 12 to 14 hours of total darkness at night.
- Marie Iannotti
- 3 min
- Schlumbergera x buckleyi
Sep 29, 2023 · Christmas cactus: A Light to be Shined. Christmas Cactus should receive a balance between light and dark to propagate and bloom. On average, it needs to have bright indirect light for a maximum of 8 hours. The rest of the day, it should be shaded or dark to avoid burning leaves. Christmas cactus: A time in the dark
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Should Christmas cactus be shaded or dark?
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Oct 28, 2024 · Clip a piece of cactus with two to three segments. Let the segments sit for a day or two. Fill a pot with cacti and succulent mix. Make a hole in your soil and place the clipping in the hole. Keep the pot in a warm, bright place, keeping the soil moist. In a few weeks, they should root and start to put out new growth.
