Cactus, starfish, orchids. They are bubbling with health, proudly displaying their beautifully green leaves. But that’s all. “We dew, we fertilize, we make sure it’s not overwatered. But it never wants to bloom!” One of our readers is worried so much that she asks for advice in the podcast counseling.
You can find the advice in the audio version here:
She is far from alone. You will certainly find many maids in the area who seem to sabotage all patient and perfect care. Maybe even. At the same time, you read advice on what is exactly good for a given plant. They have a watering schedule that’s more precise than feeding a newborn, and you measure the fertilizer on a digital scale so you don’t accidentally get too much or too little. So what’s the problem? “Sometimes it’s simply too much care,” answers Jana Bucharová, an expert in the magazine Receptář on garden topics.
Necessary rest
This is where it all ends and begins. “This applies similarly to all houseplants, but especially to those that we expect to bloom in winter,” the expert specifies. So all Christmas cacti, star plants, but also poinsettias.
During the summer, it is beneficial for most maids to be outside. During that time, they will grow, get stronger and prepare for the time of flowering. “But for that, you need to put the plant in a cooler place in September or October, or leave it outside until it freezes. And almost stop watering. Even if it can look drastic,” says Jana Bucharová.
A little trouble
It always depends on the specific plant. But it’s the same for everyone – gradually reduce watering to a minimum, in some cases completely to zero. After all, this is exactly the thing that will make the maids start to bloom.
Two factors are responsible for this. First, you simulate the natural cycle of the year in their homeland, when there is often a dry season. And secondly, you will prepare the conditions for the plant in which it will need to reproduce. And thus bloom. The fact that you will eventually take good care of her again won’t hurt her in any way.
