How to care for Christmas cactus to keep it blooming How to grow Christmas cactus with thick leaves

Christmas cactus is a plant of the cactus family. It has a long flowering period and is ornamental when placed at home. It can also purify the air and has medicinal value.

In terms of maintenance, Christmas cactus is a relatively easy flower to grow. If you want its leaves to grow vigorously and bloom continuously, you only need to give it enough nutrition, water, fertilizer, light, and a suitable temperature environment. So, how can you grow Christmas cactus to make it more vigorous and grow well?

Pot soil selection

Ceramic pots are generally used to grow Christmas cacti, and they should be as large as possible . Flower lovers can prepare their own nutrient soil, which is composed of leaf mold, garden soil and sand in a ratio of 4:3:3.

Moisture conditions

In spring and autumn, water once a week . In summer, water should be properly controlled, watering two or three times a week is enough, and the soil should be kept slightly moist. In winter, watering once every two weeks is enough. There should be no stagnant water in the pot soil. If there is stagnant water, the Christmas cactus will rot.

Fertilization requirements

During the growth period of Christmas cactus, you only need to apply fertilizer once every half a month , mainly some thin nitrogen fertilizer, and the amount should be a little less. Before Christmas cactus blooms, you should apply less nitrogen fertilizer and more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, which will help the growth of flower buds.

Temperature requirements

The temperature is controlled between 18 degrees Celsius and 23 degrees Celsius , which is the most suitable for the growth of Christmas cactus. In summer, it is necessary to provide proper shade and the temperature should not be higher than 30 degrees Celsius. In winter, it is necessary to keep warm and the temperature should not be lower than 5 degrees Celsius. In autumn, the light is relatively soft, so it can fully receive scattered light.

Lighting requirements

Christmas cactus is a light-loving plant that needs sufficient light supply to bloom normally. It needs proper shade in summer, and it can be fully exposed to normal light in other seasons.

Proper pruning

During the bud-forming period of Christmas cactus, it is necessary to properly trim the overly dense buds . After flowering, the remaining flowers should be trimmed off to save some nutrients for the plant.

Reproduction method

There are two methods of propagation: sowing and cutting. Most families who grow Christmas cactus potted plants choose cutting. Cutting propagation is usually done in spring and autumn, in March and April in spring and in September in autumn .