The schlumbergera, also called Christmas cactus, is a plant that blooms during the month of December. This cactus native to Brazil produces flowers of multiple colors: red, pink, white or even purple. In order for it to flower in the right conditions, some important steps must be followed during its development. Maintenance gestures will really matter enormously if you want to see your plant flourish. Flowering can also occur in autumn, but is generally observed in early winter during the Christmas period. Find out how to maintain and flower your Christmas cactus.
The phases of sowing
Schlumbergera loves slightly arid and nitrogen-rich places. To get one, you will need a mixture of sand and earth. Also, don’t plant multiple cacti in a single pot if you want to see flowering. As for the soil, it will work best if enriched with fertilizer intended for cacti. This must be diluted in water before insertion.
The living environment of the plant must be well draining. To do this, place some pebbles or clay balls at the bottom of the pot. In addition, the plant should be protected from drafts and direct sunlight. Finally, the ambient temperature must be between 10 and 15°C. Once the location has been determined, the plant must not be moved, otherwise the flowers or buds will fall off.
Christmas Cactus Care
Caring for this plant is quite simple. Water it regularly, allowing the soil to dry between two waterings. Watering should be constant until the first flowers appear. Use mineral or preferably rain water and remember to empty the water from the saucer to avoid any rotting of the roots.
Dilute the liquid fertilizer in the watering can every two weeks (excluding the dormant period). Also, to keep your plant as long as possible, consider repotting it into a larger pot every year during the months of February, March or April.
Tip : As mentioned above, the water used for irrigation must be low in limescale. However, you can use tap water if you soften it like this: dilute 2 teaspoons of white vinegar in 10 liters of water, then let the solution rest for 20 hours so that the limestone falls to the bottom of the container. You will thus obtain water reduced to limescale and ready to water your Christmas cactus.