Also called schlumbergera, the Christmas cactus is a plant that is easy to maintain, but does not tolerate temperatures below 10°C, as well as drafts. Discover how to make your Christmas cactus bloom in winter with advice from Paris florist Laurent Genton.
The Christmas cactus is a succulent plant that can rebloom every year if you know how. So here are some tips to help you.
How to make a Christmas cactus bloom?
Although the plant is easy to care for, flowering Christmas cactus is no easy task. It is necessary to know the steps and also the good gestures to adopt so that they can flourish correctly.
Discover how to make a Christmas cactus bloom
This winter cactus produces flowers only once a year, when it is subject to a temporary lack of water for about three weeks. It will be necessary to reduce watering from the end of October to allow the stems to produce shoots. The stems will wither and the plant will turn red. When the buds appear, you can water the plant normally. In a second stage, it will be necessary to feed the plant with liquid fertilizer once a month, from February to September. Furthermore, it will be necessary to replant the Christmas cactus every 3 years with a light soil different from that in the garden.
How to propagate Christmas cactus?
To take cuttings from a Christmas cactus, remove 4 inches of the branch and root in water or damp sand. Make sure to cut the stem into two equal sections. The schlumbergia cutting produces roots every three weeks. To transplant them into pots, wait for spring to arrive so you can place them in an individual pot. It is important to cut the branch that does not have buds. Otherwise, they must be removed and removed from the water.
Christmas cactus blooming
Blooming Christmas cactus. Source: spm
How often should you water your Christmas cactus?
During the growth period it will be necessary to water the plant every week to have a fresh substrate. Furthermore, the latter must be dry before adding the fertilizer again. Don’t hesitate to opt for a liquid fertilizer rich in potassium once a month. After flowering, consider watering the plant every 10 days. You can also place wet clay rocks under the pot.
Christmas cactus leaves
Christmas cactus leaves. Source: spm
How to replant Christmas cactus?
It is recommended to replant the Christmas cactus every three or four years, in spring. It will be necessary to choose a suitable soil, that is, a substrate for epiphytic cacti, consisting of sand and fibrous heather. It is not recommended to regularly move this plant that blooms in contact with light, without being exposed to direct sunlight.
When should you prune your Christmas cactus?
It is not absolutely necessary to prune this plant. If desired, you can cut the stems immediately after flowering. To enhance your Christmas cactus, choose a pot with a contrasting color. Choose a turquoise blue to best highlight the fuchsia in your flowers.
What to do if your Christmas cactus leaves are soft?
If you notice that the plant’s leaves are softening, it is probably due to lack of watering. Just because it’s a cactus doesn’t mean it doesn’t need water. In fact, Christmas cactus thrives in cool soil, like many houseplants. It will therefore be necessary to water it when the surface of the soil is dry. Instead, avoid water stagnation, which can cause root rot.
By knowing the right things to do, you will be able to make your Christmas cactus bloom well. So remember to water, prune and maintain it properly.