In its natural tropical environment, it grows on rocks and treetops, but it also does well in an ordinary flowerpot. What should you do to make it bloom beautifully for Christmas? Here’s everything you need to know about Christmas cactus care.
The Christmas cactus looks a bit like a fountain with a floral border on the leathery leaves. It has countless varieties: it comes in versions from white to pink to red, with some varieties having multi-colored flowers. How to care for this unique plant and how to reproduce it? Check out some information about the Christmas cactus.
Colorful Christmas cactus – colorful decoration
Why can the Christmas cactus successfully compete with the Christmas rose? Colorful flowers, which can be adapted to the colorful theme of the Christmas decoration, are responsible for everything. Cream, red, pink, orange – each variety is named after a specific holiday or color.
Christmas cacti and their names
In the United States, the thanksgiving cactus or crab cactus is very popular. In Slovakia, the most popular variety is the Christmas cactus in an intense red or pink color.
Christmas cactus care – how to care for it to bloom
How to care for a Christmas cactus? The Christmas cactus does not like bright light, but it will not thrive in the shade either. The best location is one that is bathed in diffused sunlight. And what substrate will be suitable for this plant? The best is cactus soil, constantly moist. The flower pot must also have drainage. It is a good idea to support the Christmas cactus during the flowering period fertilizer for flowering plants.
You have to replant the Christmas cactus every three years. During flowering, when buds are forming on the plant, the flower pot must not be moved. Any unnecessary movement can disrupt this important process.
Christmas cactus not blooming? Possible causes
There can be many reasons why a Christmas cactus does not bloom, including:
- oversized flower pot;
- too much bright light;
- moving the flowerpot to a different location than previously mentioned;
- very sparse watering.
Watering the Christmas cactus – when and how often?
Christmas cactus should be watered regularly, the soil in the pot must be constantly moist. Wetting the plant can lead to wrinkled leaves and lack of buds for future flowers. It is also important to remember that watering water should not come directly from the tap, but from a kettle and should be at room temperature.
Flowering Christmas cactus – how does it reproduce?
Propagation of the Christmas cactus is relatively easy, just tear off a piece of the flattened stem and insert it into moist and well-drained soil. In addition, a plastic bag placed over the pot will also work: this is a simple procedure that will ensure that the seedlings take root.
Cut the Christmas cactus only in this way. Otherwise, you can hurt him
