Remedies to fertilize the Christmas cactus naturally
Also known as the Christmas cactus, the schlumbergera can be used as decoration for the Christmas season. Additionally, this plant is easy to maintain, even for amateur gardeners. However, you have to know how to put it in good conditions for it to flourish. In this article, we share some watering and maintenance tips.
The Christmas cactus is a plant whose beauty stands out especially during the winter period. However, for it to bloom abundantly, it is essential to know the proper fertilization techniques. Here are some tips and tricks to achieve this.
How to maintain Christmas cacti?
christmas cactus source: spm
Native to South America and Brazil in particular, schlumbergera is like most tropical plants, sensitive to winter, despite being resistant to humidity. That is why it is recommended to grow it at a temperature between 18 and 21°C in the warm season and 10° in winter.
Additionally, and to properly maintain Christmas cacti, certain precautions must be taken:
A shaded exhibition: to promote the development of the schlumbergera, it is not recommended to move it once the first flowers have appeared. It is best to place it in a place where the lighting oscillates between shadow and light in the hot season, that is, from mid-May to September.
A light, well-drained soil: the favorable period for the flowering of this plant is between March and December. The ideal is to give it a mixture of natural fertilizer and sand every 15 days, before and during its growth, taking care not to water too much. Try to space out the water supply as much as possible, before flowering, to allow the substrate to dry out. From flowering onwards, the spacing between two waterings should be a little longer. This doesn’t mean you have to wait until the soil is completely dry before watering it. Thereafter, you can discontinue fertilization until spring.
Apply the fertilizer gently: avoid splashing by slightly lifting the stems of the Christmas cactus. Fertilizer should in no way fall directly on its leaves. This may cause burns.
How to fertilize the Christmas cactus naturally?
Christmas cactus in the center of a room. source: spm
Sprinkle the apples with water: it is an excellent fertilizer. Boil two liters of water and then soak a whole apple previously cut into pieces. Two days later, you can water your Christmas cactus with this solution rich in iron, phosphorus, potassium and many other nutrients essential for its growth.
Spray with banana water: Like the apple, this fruit also provides important nutrients that will help the Christmas cacti grow better. To do this, soak two banana peels in 1.5 liters of water for at least 24 hours before watering your plants with this mixture.
Sprinkle with water and wood ashes: in addition to stimulating growth, this solution also helps protect the schlumbergera from parasites and weeds. In this case, mix 2 tablespoons of wood ash with 1 liter of water and let it sit for about 3 hours before watering. Thanks to this fertilizer solution, your Christmas cactus will receive everything it needs to bloom abundantly, namely potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium and many more.