How to grow and care for Christmas cactus, one of the most popular winter plants, so it can continue to thrive after the holiday season.
During the upcoming holiday season, you may receive a Christmas cactus as a gift. You will have to take care of it so that it can survive without problems and keep you company for a long time with its beautiful and colorful flowers, which can brighten up any room.
First of all, you should know that the Christmas cactus is a plant species native to Brazil, botanically called Schlumbergera and belonging to the Cactaceae family, which usually grows in tropical forests. It is a plant that prefers shade and humidity. For this reason, the interior environment of our homes in winter, with the heating on, becomes an ideal climate for lush growth.
1. When does the Christmas cactus bloom?
The Cacraceae can have different flowering periods, but what characterizes the Christmas cactus is the fact that its flowers bloom just as the end of year holidays approach, hence the name of this wild plant from Brazil and other parts of Latin America which was imported to Europe as a houseplant.
You can admire the flowers of the Christmas cactus between December and January. Their colors can range from pink to red and purple to red-purple. So that the flower buds do not wither before they bloom, the Christmas cactus must be carefully kept away from drafts and heat sources. The Christmas cactus should therefore not be placed near a frequently opened door or too close to a fireplace, stove or radiator.
2. Where to place it?
The ideal temperature for the indoor Christmas cactus is 20°C. To prolong the flowering of the cactus during the winter period, you should place it in a bright room. Later in summer, the Christmas cactus can be placed outdoors in a partially shaded position so that excessive exposure to direct sunlight does not result in burning of the leaves. In autumn, from the beginning of September, the plant can be moved indoors. The reduction in daylight hours and its exposure to the sun mean that its flowering can be delayed until the Christmas period.
One of the perfect locations to keep the Christmas cactus in your home during December and January is the interior window sill, so that the flowers can take advantage of daylight to flourish during the winter.
The elevated position of the plant is essential if you have pets such as dogs or cats. Ingestion of certain parts of the plant can cause diarrhea or vomiting in pets. It must therefore be placed so that pets cannot reach it easily. If there is a problem, the veterinarian should be consulted immediately.
3. When to water the Christmas cactus?
The Christmas cactus is native to the rainforests of South America and therefore prefers a humid climate. It is therefore necessary to pay particular attention to watering, both in summer and in winter. In winter, it must be watered regularly, little by little, preventing the saucer from soaking up water, but keeping the soil moist. In summer, we proceed in the same way, with the possibility of spraying a little water on the leaves using a sprayer. In summer, the best time to water the Christmas cactus, which needs small amounts of water at a time, is in the evening. In particularly dry climates, try keeping it in a room with a small humidifier or other plants.
It is important to avoid water stagnation and to water regularly but not excessively, especially during flowering. Overwatering can cause root rot, which can lead to the death of the plant. This rot can also be caused by a fungus, unfortunately not visible from the outside until the first damage appears. The flowering of the plant can sometimes last from December to February. In any case, once flowering is finished, watering can be reduced. Throughout the life of the plant, watering should only be done when the soil appears dry on the surface. It may be sufficient to water only once or twice a week in winter.
The Christmas cactus likes soils with an acidic pH and, if possible, containing peat. It is optional to use natural fertilizers during the flowering period to ensure nutrition for the plant. Fertilization should be stopped when the flowers fall. If you want to fertilize, it is best to do so in spring and summer when physiological growth is underway.
4. How to propagate and multiply your Christmas cactus?
Propagation by cuttings
If you want to propagate your cactus, it is entirely possible to do so at home using stems from the previous year which have been dried for a few days before being planted. Do the following:
Take a stem from the plant about 10 to 15 cm long.
Set the cut aside for at least 48 hours.
Once it has dried, you can plant it in soil with a sandy mix if possible, burying it at least 3cm deep in the soil.
Propagation by hand pollination
Another way to propagate your Christmas cactus if you have two or more plants with different colored flowers is to use hand pollination. Concretely, you must use a small brush to collect the pollen from one and place it on the other and wait for the plant to bear fruit. These will have small seeds that can be planted in spring.
5. Lifespan
Christmas cactus plants can have a very long lifespan, up to 20 or 30 years, making them an even more symbolic Christmas gift.