Things Needed
The Christmas cactus ( Schlumbergera bridgesii ) is a unwashed houseplant usable in nurseries and garden center of attention around the vacation season . The cactus produces colorful blooms in shades of red , orangish , purplish , pink or white on the goal of its succulent , wishy-washy stem . Christmas cactus uses its stems for reproduction through photosynthesis and does not produce leave . The fore grow in an arciform , pendulous form , which crap the plant life suitable for hanging baskets . Christmas cactus make an excellent low - maintenance houseplant and requires minimum care to continue thriving after the holiday .
Step 1
Keep Christmas cactus in a location that receive bright , indirect sunshine throughout the daylight . keep a consistent temperature of 60 to 70 degrees F during the day and 55 to 65 degrees F at night for the best results .
Step 2
Water the plant when the top one-half of the soil feel dry to the tinge , about once every two weeks . Soak the filth exhaustively until wet begins to exit the drain holes . Pour off any supererogatory water to foreclose rotting .
Step 3
effect flowering by placing Christmas cactus in complete dark for 14 to 16 hours a day at a temperature of 50 to 75 level F begin in mid - September . Continue this process every day for about eight calendar week to give the buds a opportunity to organize . The plant should flower by Christmas .
Step 4
fertilise the cactus once every two weeks during winter with an all - intent houseplant fertiliser load to ¼ the strength recommended by the manufacturer . Water lightly before and after fertilize to free the food from the fertiliser into the soil .
Step 5
Prune Christmas cactus now after bloom to encourage the plant to separate out and organise denser growth . Remove two to three section from each stem . New ontogenesis will look shortly after .
Tip
When choose a Christmas cactus , choose a plant life with firm , green stem sections imbed in a moist , high - quality potting mix . If the soil is too dry , the flora may have rootage damage . Christmas cactus enjoys spending warm leap and summertime months outdoors . Bring the plant back indoors before nightly temperature overlook below 55 degrees F.
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