how to care for a christmas cactus uk

If the stems look shriveled youre probably under-watering. Heres how its done.

How To Care For Your Christmas Cactus Suttons Gardening Grow How

21-27 C are ideal during the growing season.

. Keep the soil evenly moist while your plant is blooming misting it frequently. When the Christmas cactus flower buds start to form increase the light exposure and the temperature around 20 C. At that point reduce the temperature and.

Here are some tips below to consider to give it more water. Dropping buds If you tend to be in and out of the house often in wintertime turning your heating on and off often this can sometimes affect the flower buds on a Christmas cactus. THE CHRISTMAS cactus is the perfect plant to add a touch of festivity to your home even if youre not a fan of Christmas.

So water whenever the soil feel dry really drench it with water then let the excess completely drain. Also keep the Christmas cactus away from drafty areas and avoid sudden changes in moisture temperature or sunlight. The other thing to remember is that Christmas cacti like humidity in the air.

Maintain an optimal climate of 65 degrees. Using a clean sharp knife or pair of scissors simply take a Y-shaped cutting from the end of a stem near the lower sections of the plant. When the flowering season ends reduce the amount of watering and give it just enough to keep the compost slightly moist.

Taking Christmas cactus cuttings is easy to do. Known as the Christmas cactus because it puts on such a wonderful eye-catching floral display over the Christmas period and makes a great Christmas gift. Give your plant bright indirect light.

The cutting should take between 1-3 months to root and can then be potted on. Dont overwater because Christmas cactus is a succulent that absolutely cant tolerate soggy feet. Avoid standing it in water as it will succumb to root rot.

Increase the water amount and frequency gradually. The best time to take cuttings is in late spring when the plant is growing. Allow the end of the cutting to dry out for approximately a day to avoid stem rot then plant it into well.

Christmas cactus Schlumbergera Schlumbergera truncata and S. Be careful of sudden changes in light. Discard the excess water then do not water again until the top.

The Christmas cactus is a tropical type cactus and is not quite as drought tolerant as the name infers. Keep the plant in a warm spot to avoid this occurring. Mr Plant Geek said you will then need to rest the plant again.

When the plant is in bloom water it more often. If your house is dry try misting it or positioning it in a dish with water filled with pebbles. This cactus is a completely famous plant but the majority is not privy to its precise desires.

Place the pot somewhere warm but out of direct sunlight and water sparingly just enough to stop the compost drying out completely. The pebbles will keep the plant from getting soggy while the. Simply cut back the watering and make sure the plant receives 12-14 hours of darkness and average temperatures around 50-55 F.

The other thing to remember is that Christmas cacti like humidity in the air. These conditions can then be maintained until summer. Remove a section of stem containing 2-3 leaf segments.

Place the cactus in an east-facing window. Buckleyi are the two species of epiphytic cacti that are both commonly known as Christmas cactusSo called because they flower from late November to late January they give a. However it is a succulent plant and can store a reasonable quantity of water in the leaves.

The plant goes into active growth once it has finished blooming. The Christmas cactus Schlumbergera bridgesii blooms for a long time interior with some of the most individual-searching flora in the plant country. The flower buds on your Christmas cactus will then start to form in September.

Avoid standing it in water as it will succumb to root rot. Beware of intense light which may bleach the leaves. If your house is dry try misting it or positioning.

Feed your plant during the growing season which in the UK is between March and October. If the flat stems get soft and mushy youre overwatering. When the plant is in bloom water it more often.

Either way you want to increase the moisture that this plant gets. Water only when the surface feels dry to the touch. Use a good quality general fertiliser every couple of weeks following the instructions on the packet.

Taking Christmas cactus cuttings. Put the plant in a warm spot with plenty of light but not direct sunlight. Put the plant in a room with a shower.

Fill a small pot with a 5050 mix of seed compost and sharp sand and push the base of the cutting about 1cm 12in deep into the soil. Reduce light to a maximum of 9 hours per day avoid any extra light outside of this. Place the plant on a tray of pebbles to increase the humidity levels.

Move the plant to a cooler room ideally around 12-15C55-59F. A location in light shade or early morning sun is best for growing Christmas cactus outdoors in warmer climates although a sunnier location is suitable in fall and winter. Reduce the temperature to about 15 C to encourage flowering.

Follow these pointers to keep your Christmas cactus healthy. Heres an explanation to help you understand how to care plant prune and groom your Christmas cactus. Stop watering your plant for 6 weeks after flowering finishes in January.

Repeated fluctuations in temperature can result in them dropping off before they reach their full potential. Water thoroughly when the top half of the soil in the pot feels dry to the touch. The plant needs time to rest and recover after flowering.

Now a houseplant expert has shared the ideal location to position your. Temperatures between 70 and 80 F. Have it sit near a humidifier for a bit.

How To Get This Cactus To Flower At Christmas Evening Standard