How to grow and care for Christmas cactus, one of the most popular winter plants, so 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 any problems and keep you company for a long time with its beautiful and colorful flowers that can beautify any room.
First of all, you should know that the Christmas cactus is a plant species native to Brazil, botanically called Schlumbergera, belonging to the Cactaceae family, which mostly grows in tropical forests. It is a plant that prefers shade and humidity. For this reason, the indoor climate of our homes in winter, with the heating on, becomes an ideal climate for lush growth.
1. When does the Christmas cactus bloom?
The Cacraceae can have different flowering periods, but what characterizes the Christmas cactus is the fact that its flowers bloom just before the end of the year celebrations, 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 red-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 must place it in a bright room. Later in the summer, the Christmas cactus can be placed outdoors in a partially shaded spot to prevent leaf burn from too much sunlight. In autumn, from early September, the plant can be brought indoors. The reduction in daylight hours and sunlight means that flowering may be delayed until the Christmas period.
One of the perfect places to keep the Christmas cactus in your home during December and January is the interior 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. Ingesting certain parts of the plant can cause diarrhea or vomiting in pets, so it must be placed so that pets cannot easily reach it. In case of problems, the veterinarian should be consulted immediately.
3. When should you water the Christmas cactus?
The Christmas cactus is native to the rainforests of South America, so it prefers a humid climate. Therefore, watering should be taken care of both in summer and winter. In winter, watering should be done regularly, little by little, 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 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.
It is important to avoid water stagnation and to 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. Throughout the life of the plant, watering should only be done when 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 acidic pH and preferably peaty. It is optional to use natural fertilizers during the flowering period to ensure the plant’s nutrition. Fertilization should be stopped when the flowers fall. If you want to fertilize, it is best to do so in spring and summer, when physiological growth is underway.
4. How do you propagate and grow your Christmas cactus?
- Propagation by cuttings
If you want to propagate your cactus, you can easily do this at home using the stems from the previous year that have been dried for a few days before planting. Follow these steps:
Take a stem of the plant that is about 10-15 cm long.
Set the cutting aside for at least 48 hours.
Once it is dry, you can plant it in soil with a sandy mix if possible, burying it at least 3 cm deep in the soil.
- Propagation by hand pollination
Another way to propagate your Christmas cactus if you have two or more plants with different colored flowers is by hand pollination. Specifically, you must use a small brush 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 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.