How often do you water a Christmas cactus?
How to Care for Christmas Cacti
- Plan to water every 2-3 weeks, but only water when the top one third of soil feels dry to the touch.
- From spring through early fall, feed every 2 weeks with a balanced houseplant fertilizer.
- Prune plants in late spring to encourage branching and more flowers.
How do you get a Christmas cactus to bloom?
Christmas cacti produce flowers in a cool, environment-short day cycle. To initiate the production of flower buds, there needs to be at least eight days of 16 hours of dark and eight hours of light each day. Wherever the plant is placed, do not turn on the lights at night, even for a short period of time.
When should you put a Christmas cactus in the dark?
Put your forest cactus in a dark closet for 14 hours a night, starting six to eight weeks before you want it to bloom. Bring it back out into a bright location during daylight hours. Once buds begin to form, the closet treatment is no longer needed, and the plant should bloom beautifully for the holidays.
Why are the leaves on my Christmas cactus limp?
Wilted or limp Christmas cactus is sometimes caused by a lack of water or too much direct sunlight. If you’ve neglected to water the limp Christmas cactus, begin by giving the plant a limited drink. Continue to water sparingly every few days until the soil is lightly moist.
What kind of care do you give a Christmas cactus?
Advice for Christmas cactus care tells us that it performs well under average home conditions with moderate care. The Christmas cactus will adapt to low light conditions, but the plant will produce blooms more readily if exposed to brighter light.
When do you cut back a Christmas cactus?
Once the Christmas cactus has ceased all flowering (usually by fall), or about six to eight weeks before you want the plant to rebloom, you should allow the plant to begin its dormancy cycle by cutting back on Christmas cactus moisture and reducing both light and temperature.
Can a Christmas cactus bloom in the middle of winter?
You might think a cactus makes for an unusual Christmas plant, but when the Christmas cactus ( Schlumbergera bridgessii) is covered in blooms, it is a most welcome sight in the middle of winter. Given some minimal care, your Christmas cactus will bloom on its own. However, it might not bloom for the holidays.
Is the Christmas cactus a good Christmas gift?
This popular, winter-flowering houseplant makes a great addition to nearly any indoor setting. Christmas cactus is not only easy to care for but propagates easily too, making it an exceptional candidate for holiday gift giving.