Where is the best place to put a Christmas cactus?
Holiday cacti grow best when they are placed in a location with partial shade, such as an east or west facing window, with a temperature between 70° and 80℉. So, how do you know when my Christmas Cactus needs water? The general rule of thumb is that the topsoil should feel dry to the touch between watering sessions. Test with your finger, and if the top 2” inches of the soil are completely dry, water your holiday succulent.They are grown for their beautiful, exotic flowers. Holiday cacti can be very long-lived. It is possible for these plants to live over 100 years, passed down from generation to generation. Although true cacti, these plants are native to rainforests.Pot For Christmas Cactus You want to make sure the new container has at least 1 drainage hole so the water can freely flow out. Mine was in a 6″ grow pot and I repotted it into an 8″ pot. I’ve seen older Christmas Cacti planted in relatively shallow containers and they were doing just fine.Water them when the top half-inch of the soil is dry. Many cacti can be susceptible to rot in cold conditions if overwatered. Cacti shouldn’t need much water when low temperatures drop below 40 degrees fahrenheit. Even though these plants are okay with a little drought, most succulents appreciate a good rain shower.In order to give you those gorgeous blooms for the holidays, give Christmas cacti regular, feedings with Miracle-Gro® Succulent Plant Food from the time they finish blooming all the way into fall—that’s how they store up enough energy to produce the next round of flowers.
What triggers a Christmas cactus to bloom?
Blooms requires two things: cooler temperatures and long nights. These cacti are short-day plants, which means that blooms are triggered by long dark cool nights. They need between 14-16 hours of uninterrupted darkness and 8 hours of daylight for between 3 – 6 weeks to set flower buds. Christmas Cactus to bloom begin dark treatments. Place plants in a cool environment, 60-65 F days and 45-55 F nights. Place plants where they receive total darkness for 12 hours or more a day.However, winter-growing cacti, such as the Christmas cactus, follow a different rhythm. These plants don’t slow down, instead, they enter a period of active growth and blooming. This means they need a different care routine compared to their dormant relatives.Christmas cacti grow naturally in warm, humid rainforests, in dappled shade. So in our homes they like indirect or filtered light. An east-facing windowsill is usually ideal. Unlike desert-dwelling cacti, they dislike full sun or very high temperatures.There are a few ways to perk up a Christmas cactus. Try increasing humidity around the plant, moving it to a spot with more dappled light, or repotting it if it is rootbound. During the growing season, feed it with a balanced NPK fertilizer.Does Christmas Cactus Bloom More Than Once A Year? Yes. Unlike many other succulents, Christmas cactus can bloom again in spring if given the short days condition.
Does Christmas cactus like sun or shade?
Bright Indirect Sunlight – keep your Christmas Cactus in a bright spot in your house, such as a living room with south facing windows. It should not however, be sitting directly in the sun. The best time to repot the Christmas cactus is after flowering but before new shoots appear (February to March). Make sure to give your plant a bit of fresh substrate after you have bought it.If you want to give your home-grown Christmas cactus the best shot at life, consider this hack: Eggshells are primarily a good source of calcium for plant life, though they decompose slowly.Christmas cactus care also involves providing a lot of humidity. Mist it often. After its seasonal blooming, fertilize the plant once a month. Use a diluted or mild fertilizer made for houseplants or use cactus food.Best Fertilizer for Christmas Cactus Full-strength fertilizer could burn Christmas cactus roots. In addition to using a balanced fertilizer, Christmas cacti benefit from a monthly application of Epsom salts dissolved in water, due to the plants’ high magnesium requirements.
Do you water a Christmas cactus from the top or bottom?
Watering Christmas Cactus from the top and bottom are both effective methods. However, bottom watering is better for even hydration of the root system. It also reduces the risk of overwatering or flower breakage. It ensures the roots are properly hydrated without making the upper soil soggy. Water again in a day or two. If you have scorched leaves, move the Christmas cactus to an area that gets some sun protection, especially in the afternoon. For salt accumulation, consider repotting in a fresh potting mix. In the future, you can avoid salt accumulation by using filtered water.Signs of over-watering in a Christmas cactus Signs that your Christmas cactus is overwatered are black or red spots, yellow leaves and if your plant is turning limp. Christmas cacti are succulents, so they tend to not need a lot of water.Plant Makeup: Christmas cacti are succulents, and they don’t naturally thrive on sugar. Their roots are adapted to absorb water and nutrients from the soil, not sugar water. Other Nutrient Sources: Boric Acid: While sugar water isn’t recommended, boric acid (0.Coffee grounds are not a necessary ingredient for Christmas cactus care, but they can perk up the plant during its bloom time. The grounds give a boost of nitrogen and potassium and lower the acidity of their soil, which they like. Be careful not to overdo it!
What do coffee grounds do for Christmas cactus?
Coffee grounds are not a necessary ingredient for Christmas cactus care, but they can perk up the plant during its bloom time. The grounds give a boost of nitrogen and potassium and lower the acidity of their soil, which they like. Be careful not to overdo it! Fertilization: To ensure optimal growth of your Christmas cactus, it is recommended to administer a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer during the growing season which spans over the spring and summer months. This will provide the necessary nutrients to support the plant’s development.Entire stem segments often drop off plants that are struggling to grow in depleted soil and a too-small pot. If you notice any of these signs, aim to repot your Christmas cactus in early spring. These plants have a short dormant period in late winter after flowering and then begin growing again when the days lengthen.Additionally, because Christmas cacti require more magnesium than most plants, it normally helps to provide a supplemental feeding of 1 teaspoon of Epsom salts dissolved in one gallon of water.Pinching back stem segments during the growing season encourages Christmas cacti to branch and gives plants a fuller, bushier look. Improved flowering. Pruning Christmas cacti in spring can also help these plants flower more the following winter.
How often should I water my Christmas cactus?
Allow the top 3-4 inches of soil to dry before watering. The potted plant should feel somewhat lightweight when you lift it. Water your holiday cactus every couple weeks after it finishes flowering. In late September or early October, place the holiday cactus in a dark room or keep it covered (under a box or bag works fine) for at least 12 hours a day.Given its native climate, it won’t surprise you that Christmas cacti thrive in bright, indirect light and humid conditions. Growing your Christmas cactus in a north- or east-facing window is ideal, but wherever you end up putting it, make sure to keep it out of direct sunlight.Christmas Cactus plants don’t have extensive root systems. They bloom best when slightly potbound and like to grow a bit snug in their pots.When a Christmas cactus is under stress, you may notice brownish-red or pink leaves, which can result from insufficient watering or excessive sunlight.For example, as Christmas Day approaches, you can soak banana peels to boost Christmas Cactus bloom.