Christmas cactus: How to grow and care for it so it lasts a long time
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 have 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 brighten up any room.
First of all, you should know that the Christmas cactus is a species of plant native to Brazil that is botanically called Schlumbergera and belongs to the Cactaceae family, which mostly grows in tropical forests. It is a plant that prefers shade and humidity. For this reason, when the heating is switched on, the indoor climate in our homes in winter becomes an ideal climate for lush growth.
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 the year celebrations, hence the name of this wild plant from Brazil and other parts of Latin America, which 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 partially shaded spot to prevent leaf burn from excessive sunlight. The plant can be brought indoors in autumn, from the beginning of September. The reduction in daylight hours and sunlight means flowering may be delayed until Christmas time.
One of the perfect places to keep the Christmas cactus in your home during December and January is on the interior windowsill so the flowers can take advantage of 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. It must therefore be placed so that pets cannot easily reach it. If you have any problems, you should consult your veterinarian 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, watering must be taken into account 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 thing, 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 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 plant death. This rot can also be caused by a fungus, unfortunately not visible from the outside until the first damage occurs. The flowering of the plant can sometimes last from December to February. In any case, watering can be reduced after flowering. Throughout the plant’s lifespan, water should only be watered when the soil appears dry on the surface. It may be enough to water just once or twice a week in winter.
The Christmas cactus likes soil with an acidic pH value and, if possible, peat. It is optional to use natural fertilizers during the flowering period to ensure the plant’s nutrition. Fertilization should be stopped when 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 propagate your Christmas cactus?
- Propagation by cuttings
If you want to propagate your cactus, you can easily do it at home using last year’s stems, 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, burying it in the ground at least 3 cm deep.
- Propagated 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 have to 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, up to 20 or 30 years, making them an even more symbolic Christmas gift.