Christmas Cactus Care

Although they belong to the cactus family, Christmas cacti are native to rainforests, not deserts. In their homeland of Brazil, Christmas cacti grow as epiphytes in the bends of tree branches. For successful growing indoors, choose a well-drained potting soil containing perlite and a container with good drainage holes. Christmas cacti are susceptible to root rot. Avoid overwatering plants and do not allow water to collect in the saucer below the pots. Water the plants when the soil is dry to the touch. In spring and summer, plants can be allowed to dry out slightly, but be careful to keep soil moisture even during flowering.

Light

After the flowers fade, reduce watering until growth resumes in the spring. While the plants tolerate bright light during flowering, they do better in partial shade conditions in spring and summer. Indoors, this could be a bright window facing east or north. The plants also do well when brought outside during the summer months. Look for a spot with filtered sunlight, such as under a tree (remember, they grow in rainforests). Too much light can cause plants to appear pale or yellow.

Soil

Plant a Christmas cactus in well-drained, light soil. Three parts potting soil mixed with two parts perlite will provide good drainage. Or use a specially formulated cactus potting soil mix.

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Water the Christmas cactus only when it is dry to the touch, more in summer, and less in winter when temperatures drop and buds bloom. Use a container with good drainage to allow excess water to drain and prevent the plant from becoming waterlogged. Do not allow the plant to remain in standing water. This can lead to root rot.

Temperature and Humidity

From April through September, keep the Christmas cactus at 70 to 80°F as this is the plant’s peak growth time. Once buds have formed, the plant prefers cooler night temperatures of about 55 to 65°F. Store the plant in a place free from drafts and sudden temperature changes. Provide moisture during dry winter months by misting the plant or placing the pot on a tray of pebbles filled with water.

Fertilizer

Fertilize plants in spring when active growth resumes, providing a half-strength balanced (such as 20-10-20) fertilizer. Continue monthly feedings until August. Fall feeding with low-nitrogen fertilizer (e.g. 0-15-10) can accelerate flower bud formation. With proper careA Christmas cactus can live for decades.

Christmas Cactus Types

Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridge) Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) And easter cactus (Schlumbergera gaertneri), each usually named for the holiday on which they bloom. They are collectively referred to as holiday cacti.

• thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata): The species most commonly found in stores during the holiday season are actually Thanksgiving cacti, not Christmas cacti, because their bloom time coincides with the holiday shopping season.
• Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridge): This species blooms in mid to late winter. Parts of the plant have more rounded edges.
• Easter cactus (Schlumbergera gaertneri): This plant buds in February and blooms from March to May. Easter cacti with rounded edges sometimes have small hairs on their leaves.

Regardless of which species you grow, basic plant care remains the same.

Pinching and Pruning Your Christmas Cactus

A quick pruning in summer can encourage more blooms in winter. Pinch the stems in early June to encourage branching, which will result in more flowers at the shoot tips. Some growers also pinch plants in September to create an even crown and remove immature stem sections. Immature stem sections (less than 1 cm) do not bloom. Cutting back to a mature segment will encourage bud development.

Propagating Christmas Cactus

Cuttings can be used to propagate new plants for family and friends. Taking cuttings from the plant will also help it grow fuller. The best time for propagation is one to two months after flowering.

1. Fill a 4- to 6-inch pot with potting soil, cactus soil mix, or sand-peat mixture.
2. Take cuttings of one to four pieces and place them in a cool, dry place for a few days until the cut end dries. This prevents the tip from rotting.
3. Place the cutting one inch deep into the soil. Water to stay moist.
4. Cover the plant with a plastic bag to create humidity and secure with a rubber band. Remove the bag when roots form. Roots should form within two to three weeks.
5. To root in water, place the cut ends in 1-2 inches of water and place in indirect light. After a few weeks, roots should form. When they are about two inches long, the cuttings can be planted in soil.

How to Grow Christmas Cactus from Seed?

Harvest the seeds from the pods or fruits of the plant. If the pods are green, wait until they turn red, usually in the fall.

1. The pulp of the seeds is washed and planted in a moist cactus soil mixture or a mixture of sphagnum peat moss and perlite. Press them lightly into the soil without covering them.
2. Create humidity by covering the pot with plastic wrap or a plastic bag and placing it in indirect sunlight.
3. Mist the soil surface daily or water the plant from below by placing the pot on a tray of water until the soil surface is moist.
4. Once the seedlings emerge, usually after a few weeks, remove the plastic wrap.
5. Plant the seedlings when they are about two to three inches tall.

Pot Storage and Repotting

Christmas cacti do not need to be repotted frequently, every three or four years or once roots begin to grow through the drainage holes in the pot. They prefer to be rooted. The best time to repot a Christmas cactus is in the spring when blooming has ended and the flowers have faded. Do not repot while the plant is blooming.

1. Transfer the plant to a pot of the next size. Place a few centimeters of fresh potting soil in the bottom of the pot. Gently loosen the roots and remove the old soil, then transfer the entire root ball to the pot.
2. Place the plant in the new pot with the top of the root ball about 1 inch below the surface. Lightly tamp the soil around the plant.
3. Provide moderate water and leave in low light for a few days to give the plant time to adjust to the new pot.

wintering

As indoor plants, Christmas cacti bloom in the weeks leading up to Christmas. As outdoor plants, they are cold hardy in USDA zones 10-12. They can tolerate slightly lower temperatures as they need to bloom, but they are tropical plants and cannot tolerate frost. Sudden temperature changes can cause plants to lose their flowers. During the summer months, Christmas cacti can be placed outdoors with filtered sunlight and protection from wind.

Common Pests and Diseases

Overwatering can attract pests to your Christmas cactus. Common pests include mealybugs, spider mites and aphids. These pests can cause wilting, yellowing, and growth arrest. With get rid of pestsUse insecticidal soap and horticultural oil.

Fungal diseases can cause root rot. Brown spots on stems at the soil line indicate fusarium, while phytophthora causes stems near the soil line to appear wet. Apply a fungicide to treat the plant, although it may be difficult to save.

How to Make Christmas Cactus Bloom?

Christmas cacti initiate flower bud formation in response to the shorter day lengths and cooler temperatures of autumn. Ideal conditions for flower bud formation include bright sunlight in a cool environment with temperatures between 60 and 68°F, followed by fourteen hours of continuous darkness. If temperatures remain too warm and/or the plants do not receive the required amount of darkness, the plants may not bloom. These can be challenging conditions to provide for interior spaces that normally use artificial heating and lights.

One option is to move the plants to a rarely used room, heated garage window, or other location where lighting can be controlled until flower buds develop. Once the flower buds have developed, the plants can be moved back to their normal positions for display as day length does not affect flowering once the buds have formed. For optimum bud development, provide dark night conditions for six weeks from mid-September. Keep air temperatures between 60 and 68°F.

Christmas cacti are sensitive to disturbance and may drop their buds in response to sudden changes in temperature or humidity. Aim to provide similar conditions at budding and display sites. Move plants as soon as buds appear to minimize bud drop. Continue to provide cool temperatures. At 68°F, flowering can take 7 to 8 weeks.

Another option is to place your Christmas cactus in a cool window and hope for the best. Cold temperatures can sometimes override day length requirements. Plants grown in cooler night temperatures between 50 and 59°F often form flower buds regardless of day length. But extreme cold can also cause problems; Plants’ flower buds drop when temperatures drop below 50°F, so be aware of lower nighttime temperatures.

Common Problems with Christmas Cacti

If your Christmas cactus has leaves turning red or pink, the plant may be getting too much sun or too little water. Move the plant away from direct light. If the soil is dry to a depth of one centimeter, it needs to be watered more frequently. Water the plant when the soil surface is dry.