Christmas Cactus Plant Care
Common Name: Christmas Cactus, Thanksgiving Cactus, Holiday Cactus
Scientific Name: Schlumbergera bridgesii
Lighting: Moderate to Bright
Water: Low to Moderate
Christmas Cactus plants are characterized by flat green foliage, which blooms periodically. Blooms are tubular in shape and can be in shades of reds, pinks, whites and yellows. These houseplants are extremely easy to care for. The trick comes in getting them to bloom.
Christmas Cactus prefer high amounts of indirect sunlight. Too much direct sunlight can burn the plant. These plants will grow in lower light levels; however will do much better in a more lighted location. A plant that receives its preferred light level will usually have more flowers during its blooming period. As with all houseplants, be sure to keep away from drafts, heating / cooling sources.
Even though its name contains Cactus, a Christmas Cactus is not a true cactus. Allow the soil to dry out in-between watering however do not let it dry completely. If your plant is not looking up to par, it is probably due to incorrect watering. I water mine thoroughly once every two weeks, however this will vary depending on your location of the plant.
To get your Christmas Cactus to bloom depends with the amount of sunlight it receives and temperatures. Temperature is a much harder variable to control. Most sources I've read have said you need a temperature range of 55 to 60 degrees for 4 to 6 weeks. However, temperature is something I don't have much control over so I use the following more common method to get my Christmas Cactus to bloom. Place your Christmas Cactus in complete darkness until buds develop. I use my spare room closet because no one is opening and closing it. If you are looking to have a beautiful bloomed plant by the holiday season, place your plant in darkness in mid to late October.
One pest that is common in this plant are mealy bugs. They are attracted to the sap of these cacti and will suck the sap. If you see the appearance of white bugs on your plant, try spraying with a soapy dishwater mixture twice a day. If within a week the bugs still remain, go to your local garden center to find the right spray to kill them.
Overall, this is a good choice for beginners or those without a great deal of time. View my list of easy to grow houseplants for other plant choices.
Labels: easy to grow houseplants, Flowering Houseplants
posted by drayas @ 9:49 PM
5 Comments:
I have a question about my christmas cactus. I received a cutting almost 2 years ago, planted it in a potting mix and have kept it watered, but not too wet. My issue is that it has done absolutely nothing. I did not put it away in the dark to bloom, but it has not grown at all. Any advice? Can I fertillize?
Thanks!
lilolemehf,
I use Miracle Gro's Houseplant food about once a month. You just mix it with the water. I have actually never put mine in the dark either. It seems if I forget to water it for awhile it seems to then bloom after I water it again. So usually if I want it to bloom, I won't water it for about 2 weeks. Then when I water it, the plant starts blooming again.
In terms of growth however, mine has not grown in size at all really. I've had it for a couple years now.
Thanks,
drayas
I recived a cutting about two months ago, and ever since I've planted it at school it has grown to about almost tripple it's original size. I did not use a mix for the soil, but there has been a fertilizer in the water that we used. I cannot tell you the name of the fertilizer because I really don't know it. But, it has been doing alright to me. Our also never bloom because to get it to sprout more secure roots, we plucked off the flowering budds. It has a few smaller budds, but I am not sure if they are flowers or not. Not sure if that helps or not. I thought it might be at least a little bit helpful.
I have a Christmas cactus that hasn't bloomed in a long time. The leaves toward the base of the plant don't look healthy, they are dull ans light green. There are areas of new growth that are green and shiny. I am not sure what I am doing wrong. I repotted it last year, I water once a week, and it is in a window that gets morning sun and light. I use a plant food every couple of waterings. Any ideas?
I have a christmas catcus I have had for 2 yrs its beautifull it has triple in size and is healty all over I have baby this plant ever since I got it..I have it in a clay pot..But it never has bloomed I want it to bloom all my other friends plants has blooms on it but mine does not and they keep it in their windows..I dont know what to do to make it bloom..They have never put theirs in darkness so I dont know what Im doing wrong please help me I just want blooms!!!!! I love this plant HELP PLEASE
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