Planetagarden
Keep your cacti looking its best during and after the Christmas season by deadheading all the spent blooms. This also encourages the plant to continue blooming. Once Christmas is over you can continue to enjoy your cacti until it finally stops producing flowers. But don't get rid of it once it does!
- What do you do with a Christmas cactus after it blooms?
- How long do flowers last on a Christmas cactus?
- Will Christmas cactus bloom again?
- Should you water a Christmas cactus when it's blooming?
- Are coffee grounds good for Christmas cactus?
- Why do buds fall off my Christmas cactus?
- When should you put a Christmas cactus in the dark?
- Do you water a Christmas cactus from the top or bottom?
- How many times does a Christmas cactus bloom in a year?
- Should I prune my Christmas cactus?
- How do you get a Christmas cactus to rebloom?
- How can you tell if a Christmas cactus is overwatered?
- How much water should I give my Christmas cactus?
- Does a Christmas cactus need a lot of sunlight?
- Can you put a Christmas cactus outside during the summer?
- Are eggshells good for Christmas cactus?
What do you do with a Christmas cactus after it blooms?
After blooming, fertilize the plant every month beginning when you see new growth at the end of winter or the first of spring. Feed a Christmas cactus with a 20-20-20 or 10-10-10 plant food diluted with water to 50% strength.
How long do flowers last on a Christmas cactus?
Christmas cactus is a long-lived plant with bright blooms that appear around the winter holidays. Normally, blooms last at least one to two weeks. If conditions are just right, the impressive flowers may hang around for seven to eight weeks.
Will Christmas cactus bloom again?
Yes. Unlike many other succulents, Christmas cactus can bloom again in spring if given the short days condition. Placing Christmas cactus into the east-facing window that receives abundant amounts of sunlight during the day and 12 hours of darkness each night can encourage the plant to flower again.
Should you water a Christmas cactus when it's blooming?
Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist while your plant is blooming, misting it frequently. Light: Place the cactus in an east-facing window for moderate light and some direct sun. Fertilization: Apply a high-potassium fertilizer every two weeks once buds form.
Are coffee grounds good for Christmas cactus?
Coffee is a trusted secret that many people use to keep their Christmas cactus healthy and blooming each year. Just make sure its plain black coffee. Find this Pin and more on Christmas cactus tips by Barbra Thelen-Byrnes.
Why do buds fall off my Christmas cactus?
A: It sounds as though your new Christmas cactus is reacting to a change in the environment. Dropping buds can be a result of overwatering, temperature extremes or lack of light. Your plant was given special treatment to make it bloom at Christmas, and it was provided with perfect growing conditions during this time.
When should you put a Christmas cactus in the dark?
Put your forest cactus in a dark closet for 14 hours a night, starting six to eight weeks before you want it to bloom. Bring it back out into a bright location during daylight hours. Once buds begin to form, the closet treatment is no longer needed, and the plant should bloom beautifully for the holidays.
Do you water a Christmas cactus from the top or bottom?
In general, water a Christmas cactus when the top inch or 2 of soil is dry. To help increase the humidity around your plant, fill the pot saucer with pebbles and add water to just below the tops of the pebbles (the pot shouldn't be sitting directly in water).
How many times does a Christmas cactus bloom in a year?
Christmas Cactus are extremely popular when November and December roll around. I happen to like them even when they're not in bloom and think they make fine houseplants. But wait, did you know that they can repeat flower? Mine started re-blooming in February, so yes, Christmas Cactus do flower more than once a year.
Should I prune my Christmas cactus?
Pruning a Christmas cactus, large or small, will help it to grow fuller and bushier, which in turn results in more blooms in the future. The best time to prune a Christmas cactus is right after it has bloomed. At this time, the Christmas cactus will be entering a growth period and will start to put out new leaves.
How do you get a Christmas cactus to rebloom?
In order to further force a Christmas cactus to bloom, you'll need to move the plant where it will receive about 12-14 hours of darkness. Bright, indirect light during the day is fine; however, Christmas cactus requires at least 12 hours of darkness at night in order to encourage bud development.
How can you tell if a Christmas cactus is overwatered?
In case you didn't remember to do this, one of the first overwatering symptoms on Christmas cactus will be limp leaves, which will start to drop off. Then the stems and branches will soften and get mushy. Severe cases will manifest with a foul odor and the stem will rot completely off.
How much water should I give my Christmas cactus?
How to Care for Christmas Cacti. Plan to water every 2-3 weeks, but only water when the top one third of soil feels dry to the touch. For example, if the plant is in 6 inches of soil, water when the top 2 inches feel dry. (Use your finger to check!)
Does a Christmas cactus need a lot of sunlight?
They prefer bright, indirect light. Full sun can cause the leaf segments to turn dark red as the plants begin to burn. ... Avoid placing the plant where it receives either cold or hot air drafts. Placing the Christmas cactus on the window sill in a cool room and not turning on the lights is all that's needed.
Can you put a Christmas cactus outside during the summer?
Christmas cactus can be moved outdoors in summer but should be kept in a partial to full shaded area. Direct sunlight can burn the leaves. ... During summer, water to keep the growing mix moist after it dries on top.
Are eggshells good for Christmas cactus?
Answer: You can definitely use eggshells in your succulent garden! ... If you choose something different, like a cactus fertilizer, be sure not to purchase a slow release fertilizer, as it can burn your succulents.
