The exotic , tropical blossoms spill over the sides of the flowerpot at Christmas , brightening the room despite the gloomy wintertime weather condition .
The exotic , tropic prime slop over the sides ofthe flowerpotat Christmas , brightening the way despite the gloomy wintertime weather condition . A traditional holiday works , the Christmas cactus ( Schlumbergera bridgesii ) blooms in December when it receives 12 to 14 hour of darkness , coolheaded Nox temperatures and sufficient humidness . The rest of the year , a Christmas cactus is a relatively easy - care houseplant .
Keep It Comfortable
While call a cactus , thistropical epiphyteis native to Brazil , where it go in the branches of tree , much like an orchid . It enjoys a summertime vacation in a warm , shady garden alfresco , but is hardy only in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 11 and up . When nighttime temperatures souse toward the L , it is quick to go back inside to a cool room with bright , percolate sluttish .
While Christmas cactus is primarily grown as an indoor plant , USDA geographical zone 10 gardeners who have a well - run out , warm , umbrageous box with a microclimate that never drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit mightgrow Christmas cactus outdoors . constitute the cactus in advert plenty or in the land , spaced 24 inch asunder . Monitor weather reports carefully for cold weather and frost warning , and bring potted plants indoors or protect the in - reason cactuses by covering them with plastic sheeting .
During its growing season , from April to September , the Christmas cactusprefers temperature between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit . As the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. shorten and the weather cool down , it begins setting bud for its striking winter bloom .
Quench Its Thirst
Unlike desert cactuses , the Christmas cactus ' soil shouldnever dry out completely . When the soil is teetotal to the depth of 1 in , put the flowerpot in the sink and add water until it flows from the bottom of the pot . waitress a few minutes , then repeat the watering to ensure that the planting medium is good moistened . After the water has drained from the pot , return the Christmas cactus to its usual space . If the flowerpot is too large or arduous to move , habituate an old dud baster to remove the water from the pot ’s dish antenna . Do not leave the bottom of the crapper stand in urine ; Christmas cactus , like orchids , do not like lactating foot .
piss outdoor Christmas cactuses when the ground is dry to a depth of 1 column inch . admonisher out-of-door plants carefully in raging atmospheric condition to secure that the soil does n’t completely dry out out around their bid root .
In addition to even tearing , the Christmas cactus prefers ahigher humiditythan most home can provide . Grouping plants together on a tray filled with pebbles and pee and adding a coolheaded steam humidifier helps raise the moisture in the air . Avoid placing a Christmas cactus near a heating or air conditioning venthole ; the strain is too dry .
Feed It Regularly
When new growth appears in early spring , the Christmas cactusneeds unconstipated feeding . Feed the plant with a 20 - 10 - 20 or 20 - 20 - 20 liquid fertiliser , integrate 1 teaspoon of fertiliser with 1 gal of water . Fertilize monthly , forthwith after tearing . stream the fertilizer over the soil until it drains from the bottom of the pot .
In plus to fertilizer , Christmas cactus need Mg . flux 1 teaspoonful of Epson Strategic Arms Limitation Talks with 1 gallon of water . Add the resolution to the plant life ’s territory at once after lacrimation , two hebdomad after fertilizing . Do not utilise fertilizer and atomic number 12 in the same week .
Feedoutdoor cactusesin the same way , adding fertiliser and magnesium on the same agenda as indoor flora . Always fertilize after watering to ensure that the fertilizer salts do n’t burn off the industrial plant ' tender ancestor .
Stop feed in the plant after September .
Make It Bloom Again
A Christmas cactus opt to be pot spring . Repot in spring using a easy , well - drain potting mix , such as an African violet or cactus mix with eminent organic issue , in a slightly larger cadaver or plastic pot . Like orchids and other epiphytes , a Christmas cactus prefers a neutral to more or less acid ground pH , between 6.0 and 7.2 .
When September arrives :
Reduce temperatures in the way to 50 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit at night and 65 to 68 stage during the day .
In mid - September , cover the plant from approximately 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. every solar day .
Also in mid - September , remove newfangled leaf segments that are less than 1/2 inch in length .
Water sparingly , keeping the soil somewhat moist .
Keep the humidity high to forbid bud drop .
Christmas cactus develop flower buds when they find 12 to 14 hours of uninterrupted darkness for six weeks . After the flower bud have form , you may block off covering the flora .
